Joshua G. Smith
315 Grant Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | 559.999.0332 | JogSmith@ucsc.edu
research.pbsci.ucsc.edu/eeb/smith
EDUCATION
University of California, Santa Cruz
Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Advisor: Mark Carr, Ph.D.
Expected June 2020
California State University, Monterey Bay
B.Sc. Marine Science, Magna Cum Laude
Honors thesis: "Distributions of demersal fishes in the La Jolla submarine canyon."
Advisor: James Lindholm, Ph.D., Department of Science and Environmental Policy
May 17, 2015
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UCSC
6/14-current
Integrative evaluation of rockfish larval dispersal
[Principal Investigator: Mark Carr, Ph.D.]
• Evaluate rockfish larval distribution and delivery using inter-generational mark/recapture tagging.
This includes scientific diving for collecting adult genetic samples, deploying and retrieving
Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers to measure water currents, and genetically tagging recruits.
Institute for Applied Marine Ecology, CSUMB
9/13-6/15
Marine protected area baseline characterization and monitoring
[Principal Investigator: James Lindholm, Ph.D.]
• Characterized demersal fish community structure in southern California marine protected areas.
• Classified bottom dwelling fish species using state of the art remotely operated vehicle imagery.
• Investigated the vertical stratification and composition of demersal fish communities
along the walls of the La Jolla and Scripps submarine canyons.
Center for Coastal Marine Sciences, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
6/13-9/13
Baseline monitoring of the California central coast
[Principal Investigator: Dean Wendt, Ph.D.]
• Conducted baseline characterization of central California Marine Protected Areas using
collaborative fishing techniques to capture, tag, and record economically and culturally important
rockfishes.
• Conducted independent research analyzing environmental factors affecting rockfish catch per unit
effort (CPUE).
Center for Coastal Marine Science, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
6/13-8/13
Evaluation of the performance of biofouling-release coatings
• Conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of new anti-fouling marine coating
technology using controlled lab and field experiments under various coating treatments.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Sanctuary Currents Symposium, Seaside CA, 2015
Smith JG, Lindholm J, Knight A. (2014). Vertical distribution and composition of demersal fish
communities along the walls of the La Jolla and Scripps submarine canyons.
Joshua G. Smith
PAGE 2
Sanctuary Currents Symposium, Seaside CA, 2014
Smith JG, Waltz GT, Barnes CL, Needles LA, Starr RM, Wendt DE. (2013). The relationship of
environmental conditions on the catch rates of nearshore fish species along the central California coast.
CSU Monterey Bay Capstone Festival, Seaside CA, 2014
Braddok A, Culbertson A, Esswein A, Graham E, Guardado M, Haydock M, Horner K, Jung J, Kent N,
Lambert E, Larwood V, McCoullugh R, Morrow P, Murray L, Smith J, Thurston S, Ting L. (2014). Habitat
associations of demersal fishes around San Clemente Island: results from a 2013 ROV based
assessment.
Western Society of Naturalist Conference, Oxnard CA, 2013
Smith JG, et al. (2013). The relationship of environmental conditions on the catch rates of nearshore fish
species along the central California coast.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Western Society of Naturalist Conference, Tacoma WA, 2014
Smith JG, Lindholm J, Knight A. (2014). Vertical distribution and composition of demersal fish
communities along the walls of the La Jolla-Scripps Canyons.
PUBLICATIONS
Smith JG, Lindholm J, Knight K. (2015). Demersal fish assemblages along the walls of the La Jolla and
Scripps submarine canyons, California, USA. (In progress).
Lindholm J, Knight A, Moye F, Cramer A, Esgro M, Bolton H, Finstad S, Smith J, McCollough R, Freddle
M. (2014). South Coast Marine Protected Areas Baseline Characterization and Monitoring of Mid-Depth
and Soft-bottom Ecosystems. California Sea Grant 09-015
TEACHING EXPERIENCE & TRAINING
Monterey Tutoring
• Mentored and instructed high school students in chemistry, biology, and algebra.
8/14-7/15
Teaching Assistant, KIN 280, 282, 283 SCUBA DIVING
California State University, Monterey bay
• Clarified and demonstrated diving fundamentals and procedures.
8/12-6/15
Teaching Assistant, CHEM 111 Chemistry II
1/13-5/14
CSU Monterey Bay, Dept. of Science and Environmental Policy
[Rushia Turner, Ph.D.]
• Coordinated with course instructor to identify student learning criteria and graded lab work.
SERVICE, OUTREACH AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO)
6/14-current
Scientific Diver
• Characterize and monitor long term dynamics and geographic variation of kelp forest
ecosystems using point-contact and quadrat scientific diving techniques.
California REEF Check
Scientific Diver
• Volunteer SCUBA kelp forest monitoring along the California central coast.
• Lead diver for fish and invertebrate surveys.
5/14-current
Joshua G. Smith
PAGE 3
California Department of Public Health
Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Volunteer
• Develop the first long-term monitoring program of shellfish disease in the
Monterey Bay using community and student volunteers.
8/13-current
CSUMB Marine Science Club
Seminar Committee Board Member
• Coordinated and synthesized scientific seminar opportunities for the marine
marine science club members.
8/13-6/15
CSUMB Fishing Club
Club Co-founder
• Developed and managed a nationally recognized collegiate sport club.
8/11-5/14
Return of the Natives
Green Thumbs Volunteer
• Worked with developmentally disabled adults and planted native plant
species in sensitive coastal environments.
1/13-1/14
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Watershed Monitoring Network
• Collected urban storm water samples for hard metal and bacterial testing.
8/12-8/13
University Police Department, CSU Monterey Bay
Community Service Officer (CSO)
• Provided excellent customer service through parking services, security, and
student night-walk program.
4/12-8/13
FELLOWSHIPS, GRANTS, and HONORS
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Support for graduate students engaged in STEM field research.
6/15-6/20
CSU Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Honorable Mention
Competitive pre-doctoral fellowship designed to support the doctoral aspirations of CSU
students who have experienced economic and educational disadvantages.
6/14
First Place Sanctuary Currents Undergraduate Research Poster
Smith JS, et al. (2013). "The relationship of environmental conditions of the catch
rates of nearshore fish species along the Central California Coast".
4/14
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC) Scholar
Academically advanced program supporting undergraduate research and scholarly activities to
prepare students for entering a Ph.D. degree program.
8/13
CSU COAST Summer Research Intern
6/13
Recipient of the Council on Ocean Affairs, Science, & Technology summer research experience
internship.
ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND TRAINING
Certified NAUI Divemaster Ÿ AAUS Research Diving Certification (100 ft) Ÿ Proficient in statistical software
including R, minitab, and JMP Ÿ ESRI ArcGIS Software Certification Ÿ Experienced in small vessel operation and
towing Ÿ Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Word, and Powerpoint