San Diego State University Fish Ecology Lab
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Lab alumni
Graduate students


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​Kelly Andrews (2000-03)
B.S. Western Washington University, 1998
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2003

Thesis:  
Habitat-dependent recruitment of two temperate reef fishes at multiple spatial scales

Publication:
Andrews, K.S., and T.W. Anderson. 2004. Habitat-dependent recruitment of two temperate reef fishes at multiple spatial scales. Marine Ecology Progress Series 277:231-244.

​​Miscellaneous: 

Best Student Paper, Southern California Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting, California State University, Northridge, 2003; California Sea Grant Trainee

Current whereabouts:  
Research Scientist
NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington


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​R. Jeff Barr (2008-17)
B.S. Aquatic Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2004
Ph.D. Ecology, San Diego State University and the University of California Davis, 2017


​Dissertation: 
Spatio-temporal ecology and management of temperate reef fish populations

Publications:
Barr R.J., M.L. Baskett. Stochastic variation in larval survival and source may obscure short-term population responses to reserve protection (in prep).​

Barr R.J., M.L. Baskett, and L.W. Botsford. A comparison of marine reserves and rotating closures in spatially-structured populations (in prep).


Barr R.J., K.T. Sievers, T.W. Anderson, J.M. Maloney, and N.W. Driscoll. Scale-dependent patterns of fish reproductive potential and habitat attributes on temperate rocky reefs (in prep).

Sievers, K.T., R.J. Barr, J.M. Maloney, N.W. Driscoll, and T.W. Anderson. 2016. Impact of habitat structure on fish populations in kelp forests at a seascape scale. Marine Ecology Progress Series 557:51-63.

White, J.W., L.W. Botsford, M.L. Baskett, L.A.K. Barnett, R.J. Barr, and A. Hastings. 2011. Linking models and monitoring data for assessing performance of no-take marine reserves. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 9:390-399.

Miscellaneous: 

The Explorers Club Student Grant

Current whereabouts:
Contributor
BD Outdoors, San Diego, California


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Miranda Haggerty (formerly Miranda Brett; 2013-16)
B.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2012
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2016

Thesis:  
Cascading non-consumptive effects of a temperate reef fish reduces kelp habitat loss

Publication:
Haggerty, M.B., T.W. Anderson, and J.D. Long. 2018. Fish predators reduce kelp frond loss via a trait-mediated trophic cascade. Ecology 99:
1574-1583.

Miscellaneous: 
American Academy of Underwater Sciences Kevin Gurr Scholarship, California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science, and Technology Graduate Student Research and Travel Awards
​
 
Current whereabouts:  
Environmental Scientist, Southern California Fisheries Research and Management 
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, San Diego, California


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Josh Brower (2009-14)
B.S. Biological Science, Florida State University, 2009
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2014

​Thesis:  
Consequences of predation threat for a macrophyte-associated fish


Publication:
Brower, J.P., and T.W. Anderson. Consequences of predation threat for a macrophyte-associated fish (in prep).

​​Current whereabouts:  

San Diego, California


Andrew in a fishing boat at sunset
Andrew Davenport (2003-06)
B.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2002
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2006

Thesis:  
Positive indirect effects of reef fishes on giant kelp performance: the importance of mesoherbivores in a kelp forest ecosystem

​Publication
:
Davenport, A.C., and T.W. Anderson. 2007. Positive indirect effects of reef fishes on kelp performance: the importance of mesograzers. Ecology 88:1548-1561.

Miscellaneous: 
Best Student Paper, Southern California Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, 2005

Current whereabouts:
Marine Biologist II
Public Utilities Department, City of San Diego, California


Andres in a red hat
Andres Deza (2005-08)
B.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2005
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2008
​M.B.A., University of San Diego, 2016

Thesis:  
Habitat fragmentation, patch size, and the recruitment and abundance of kelp forest fishes

Publication:
Deza, A.A., and T.W. Anderson. 2010. Habitat fragmentation, patch size, and the recruitment and abundance of kelp forest fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series 416:229-240.
​
​Miscellaneous: 
Fulbright Fellow, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile (2008-09)

Current whereabouts:  
Staff Research Associate IV
Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara
SONGS Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California


Emily sitting at a computer
Emily Floyd (2001-07)
B.A. Biological Sciences, Smith College, 1999
Ph.D. Ecology, San Diego State University and the University of California, Davis, 2007

Dissertation:  
Ecological implications of physiological condition and individual performance in temperate fishes

Publications:
Floyd, E.Y., and T.W. Anderson. 2010. Interactive effects of nutritional condition and refuge availability on survival of a temperate reef goby. Marine Ecology Progress Series 407:257-269.

Floyd, E.Y., R. Churchwell, and J.J. Cech, Jr. 2007. Effects of water velocity and trash rack architecture on fish passage and interactions: a simulation.Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 136:1177-1186.

Floyd, E.Y., J.P. Geist, and I. Werner. 2008. Acute, sublethal exposure to a pyrethroid insecticide alters behavior, growth, and predation risk in larvae of the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 27:1780-1787.

Miscellaneous: 
Best Student Paper, Western Society of Naturalists 86th Annual Meeting, Redmond, Washington, 2006; Best Student Paper (2nd place), 38th Annual Conference, California-Nevada Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Redding, California, 2004; Best Student Paper (3rd place), Northern California Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 17th Annual Meeting, University of California, Berkeley, California, 2007; Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Scholarship; Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies Internship

Current whereabouts:
Unknown


Carey with german shepherd
Carey Galst (2004-07)
B.S. Aquatic Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2001
B.S. Zoology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2001
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2007

Thesis:  
Fish-habitat associations and the role of disturbance in surfgrass beds

​Publication
:
Galst, C.J., and T.W. Anderson. 2008. Fish-habitat associations and the role of disturbance in surfgrass beds. Marine Ecology Progress Series 365:177-186.

Miscellaneous: 
Fulbright Fellow, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil (2007-08); Graduate Internship in Environmental Science, Edna Bailey Sussman Foundation; Anchor Environmental Scholarship

Current whereabouts:  
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia


Headshot of Christine
Christine Gregor (2001-05)
B.S. Zoology, Brigham Young University, 1998
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2005

Thesis:  
Relative importance of habitat attributes to predation risk in a temperate reef fish

Publication:
Gregor, C.A., and T.W. Anderson. 2016. Relative importance of habitat attributes to predation risk in a temperate reef fish. Environmental Biology of Fishes 99:539-556
.
Miscellaneous: 
Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Scholarship 

Current whereabouts: 
Lecturer
Clark College, Vancouver, Washington


Colin in front of coast
Colin Jones (2007-11)
B.S. Biology, Oregon State University, 2006
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2011

Thesis:  
Evaluating eelgrass (Zostera marina) site quality by the settlement, performance, and survival of a marine fish

Publication:
Jones, C.L., T.W. Anderson, and M.S. Edwards. 2013. Evaluating eelgrass site quality by the settlement, performance, and survival of a marine fish. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 445:61–68.
​
Miscellaneous: 
California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science, and Technology Travel Award

Current whereabouts:  
Setline Survey Specialist
Fisheries Statistics and Services Branch, International Pacific Halibut Commission, Seattle, Washington


Eric on a boat
​Eric Lewallen (2003-06)
B.S. Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, 2002
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2006
Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 2012

Thesis:
 The genetic structure and isolation of leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) populations in California waters: implications for management
​
Publication:
Lewallen, E.A., T.W. Anderson, and A.J. Bohonak. 2007. Genetic structure of leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) populations in California waters. Marine Biology 152:599-609.

Miscellaneous: 
PADI Project AWARE Grant

Current whereabouts:  
Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota


Levi in a wetsuit
Levi Lewis (2005-09)
B.S. Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, 2002 
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2009
Ph.D. Biological Oceanography, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, 2016

Thesis: 
Microcarnivorous fishes limit epifauna abundance and enhance seagrass production

Publications:
Farlin, J.P., L.S. Lewis, T.W. Anderson, and C-T Lai. 2010. Functional diversity of amphipods revealed by stable isotopes in an eelgrass ecosystem. Marine Ecology Progress Series 420:277-281.

Lewis, L.S., and T.W. Anderson. 2012. Top-down control of epifauna by fishes enhances seagrass production. Ecology 93:2746–2757.

Miscellaneous: 
Best Student Poster, Western Society of Naturalists 88th Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 2008; PADI Foundation Grant; Southern California Academy of Sciences Grant; Unified Port of San Diego Grant
​
Current whereabouts:  
Research Biologist
Dept. of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis


Danielle sitting in front of a computer
Danielle Lipski (2001-05)
B.S. Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1997
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2005

Thesis:  
Larval supply, settlement, and recruitment of fishes in seagrass beds in a southern California embayment

Publication: 
Lipski, D.M., and T.W. Anderson. Habitat structural complexity, recruitment, and predation of fishes in southern California eelgrass beds (in prep).

Miscellaneous: 
PADI Foundation Grant; Lerner-Gray Fund for Marine Research, American Museum of Natural History 

Current whereabouts:  
Research Coordinator
Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Point Reyes Station, California


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Dana Morton (2008-12)
B.S. Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2007
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2012
Ph.D. Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2019

Thesis:  
Patterns of invertebrate settlement in giant kelp forests

Publications: 
Morton, D.N., and T.W. Anderson. 2013. Spatial patterns of invertebrate settlement in giant kelp forests. Marine Ecology Progress Series 485:75–89.

​
Morton, D.N., T.W. Bell, and T.W. Anderson. 2016. Spatial synchrony of amphipods in giant kelp forests. Marine Biology 163:32. 

Miscellaneous: 
Fulbright Fellow, University of Victoria, Wellington, New Zealand (2011-12); California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science, and Technology Travel Award

Current whereabouts:  
Postdoctoral Researcher
Colby College


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Tye Nichols (2011-14)
B.S. Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, 2009

M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2014

Thesis:  
Boat engine noise induces physiological stress and reduces predation risk in a coastal marine fish

Publications: 

Nichols, T.A., T.W. Anderson, and A. Širović. 2015. Intermittent noise induces physiological stress in a coastal marine fish. PLOS ONE 10:e0139157.

Nichols, T.A., T.W. Anderson, and A. Širović. Recorded boat noise decreases predation risk in a coastal marine fish  (in prep).


Miscellaneous: 
California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science, and Technology Graduate Student Research and Travel Awards

Current whereabouts:  
Lecturer
​Consumnes River College, Sacramento, California


Kevin in front of the coast
​Kevin O'Connor (2005-07)
B.S. Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2004
B.S. Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2004
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2007

Thesis:  
Consequences of habitat disturbance and recovery to recruitment and the abundance of kelp forest fishes

Publication:
O'Connor, K.C., and T.W. Anderson. 2010. Consequences of habitat disturbance and recovery to recruitment and the abundance of kelp forest fishes. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 386:1-10.


Current whereabouts:  
Project Manager, Central Coast Wetlands Group
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, California


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Violet Compton Renick (2008-14)
B.S. Biology, McGill University, 2006
Ph.D. Ecology, San Diego State University and the University of California, Davis, 2014


Dissertation:
Behavioral and physiological consequences of pesticide exposure for estuarine fishes
​

Publications:
Renick, V.C., T.W. Anderson, S.G. Morgan, and G.N. Cherr. 2015. Interactive effects of pesticide exposure and habitat structure on behavior and predation of a marine larval fish. Ecotoxicology 24:391-400.


Renick, V.C., D. Vidal-Dorsch, and L. Wiborg. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition is related to multiple behavioral changes in fish exposed to a pesticide (in prep).

Renick, V.C., K. Wienersmith, D. Vidal-Dorsch, and T.W. Anderson. 2016. Effects of a pesticide and parasite on neurological, endocrine, and behavioral responses of California killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis). Aquatic Toxicology 170:335-343.

Miscellaneous: Mia Tegner Award for Best Student Paper in Applied Conservation, Western Society of Naturalists 93rd Annual Meeting, Seaside, California, 2012; Best Student Poster, California Estuarine Research Society, 8th Annual Meeting, Long Beach, California, 2012; Student Leader of the Year Award, San Diego Science Alliance Partnership Award, 2012; California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science, and Technology Graduate Student Research Award; Anchor QEA Scholarship
.

Current whereabouts:
Senior Scientist
​Orange County Sanitation District, Fountain Valley, California


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Sara Rosenblatt (2016-21)
B.S. Aquatic Biology,
University of California, Santa Barbara, 2015
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2020

Thesis:

Impacts of an invasive alga on recruitment of a temperate reef fish

Publication:
Rosenblatt, S.E., L.S. Wetmore, and T.W. Anderson. 2022. Impacts of an invasive alga on recruitment of a temperate reef fish. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 551:151733. 


Miscellaneous: American Museum of Natural History Lerner-Gray Grant for Marine Research, The Explorers Club OceanX Grant, Women Divers Hall of Fame Marine Conservation Graduate Scholarship

Current whereabouts:
Associate Biologist
​Merkel & Associates, Inc.


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Patrick Saldaña (2015-19)
B.A. Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2012
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2019

​Thesis:  
Disentangling the effects of habitat characteristics and predation on red algae-associated invertebrates

Publication: 
Salda
ña, P.H., and T.W. Anderson. Biogenic structure and predation of invertebrate assemblages in red algae beds (in prep).

Miscellaneous: 
California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science, and Technology Graduate Student Research Award


Current whereabouts:  
Ph.D. Candidate
Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences
University of Florida


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Shana Sharfi (2002-05)
B.S. Marine Biology, California State University, Northridge, 2002
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2005

​Thesis:  
Fish production and habitat structure on a large-scale experimental artificial reef

Publication: 
Sharfi, S., T.W. Anderson, D.C. Reed, and S.C. Schroeter. Fish production and habitat structure on a large-scale experimental artificial reef (in prep).

Miscellaneous: 
California Sea Grant Trainee

Current whereabouts:  
Teacher
Woodrow Wilson High School, Los Angeles, California


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​Katie Sievers (2011-16)
B.S. Aquatic Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2009
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2016
​Ph.D. Marine Ecology, James Cook University, 2021
Thesis:  Role of habitat structure on kelp forest fish populations at a seascape scale.

Publication: 
Sievers, K.T., R.J. Barr, J. Maloney, N.W. Driscoll, and T.W. Anderson. 2016. Impact of habitat structure on kelp forest fish populations at a seascape scale. Marine Ecology Progress Series 557:51-63. ​
Miscellaneous: 
Fulbright Fellow, Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Philippines (2015-16); American Academy of Underwater Sciences Kevin Gurr Scholarship;  California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science, and Technology Graduate Student Research Award

Current whereabouts:  
Postdoctoral Researcher

College of Engineering, ARC Center
of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
James Cook University, Townsville, Australia


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Claire Spitzer (2015-19)
B.S. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, 2013
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2019
​​

Thesis: Spatiotemporal variation in demersal micropredators on temperate rocky reefs and their impacts on fish swimming performance

Publications: 
Spitzer, C.A., T.W. Anderson, and P.C. Sikkel.
Spatiotemporal variation in some demersal micropredators on temperate rocky reefs (in review).

Spitzer, C.A., T.W. Anderson, and P.C. Sikkel. Impacts of gnathiid micropredation on the swimming performance of a
temperate coastal fish​
 (in prep).

Miscellaneous: 
American Academy of Underwater Sciences Kevin Gurr Scholarship

Current whereabouts:  
​Biologist
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, Oahu, Hawai'i


Sean measuring a fish on a boat
Sean Suk (2004-08)
B.S. Marine and Freshwater Biology, University of New Hampshire, 2000
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2008

Thesis:
Trophic ecology of the common thresher, Alopias vulpinus, and shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus, in the Northeast Pacific
​
​Publication:
Suk, S., T.W. Anderson, and J.A. Seminoff. Trophic ecology of the common thresher, Alopias vulpinus, and shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus, in the Northeast Pacific (in prep).


Current whereabouts:  
Natural Resources Specialist

United States Navy, San Diego, California 


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Jason Webber (2003-11)
B.S. Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, 1998
M.S. Natural Resources (Fisheries), Humboldt State University, 2003
Ph.D. Ecology, San Diego State University and the University of California, Davis, 2011

Dissertation:  
Swimming performance and the ecology of early life stages of temperate marine fishes​
Publications:
Webber, J.D. Swimming abilities of two coastal pelagic fishes (in prep).

Webber, J.D., and T.W. Anderson. Faster growth lowers swimming performance and increases predation risk in the early life stages of a marine fish (in prep).

Webber, J.D., and T.W. Anderson. Swimming performance and larval traits of three marine rocky reef fishes differentially support the 'growth-mortality' hypothesis (in prep).

Webber, J.D., S.N. Chun, T.R. MacColl, L.T. Mirise, A. Kawabata, E.K. Anderson, T.S. Cheong, L. Kavvas, M.M. Rotondo, K.L. Hochgraf, R. Churchwell, andJ.J. Cech, Jr. 2007. Upstream swimming performance of adult white sturgeon: effects of partial baffles and a ramp. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 136:402-408.

Miscellaneous: 
Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies Internship

Current whereabouts:
Lecturer
Southwestern College, Chula Vista, California


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​Sarah Wheeler (2009-15)
B.S. Biology, University of Michigan, 2007
Ph.D. Ecology, San Diego State University and the University of California, Davis, 2015

Dissertation:
Regional productivity and upwelling as drivers of larval growth, settlement, and recruitment in rockfishes
 (Sebastes spp.)
​
Publications:

Wheeler, S.G., T.W. Anderson, and S.G. Morgan. Otolith signatures distinguish the magnitude of settlement in rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) (in prep).

Wheeler, S.G., T.W. Anderson, T.W. Bell, S.G. Morgan, and J.A. Hobbs. 2017. Regional productivity predicts individual growth and recruitment of rockfishes in a northern California upwelling system. 
Limnology and Oceanography 62:754-767.

Wheeler, S.G., A. Russell, A., J. Fehrenbacher, and S.G. Morgan. 2016. Validating a method of otolith microchemistry to identify water-mass associations of larval fish in an upwelling region. Marine Ecology Progress Series 150:191-206.

Miscellaneous: 
Best Student Paper, Western Society of Naturalists 92nd Annual Meeting, Oxnard, California, 2011; Best Student Paper Finalist, American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Little Rock, Arkansas, 2013; 3rd Place Poster,  45th Annual Conference, California-Nevada Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Folsom, California, 2011; Student Leader of the Year Award, San Diego Science Alliance, 2012; American Association for the Advancement of Science Media Scholarship, 2014; California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science, and Technology Graduate Student Research and Travel Awards; Fly Fishers Club of Orange County Marine Studies Scholarship; Golden West Women Fly Fishers Fisheries Scholarship 

Current whereabouts:  
Senior Water Resources Specialist
​City of San Diego, California


Technicians

Dane sitting in front of a computer
Dane Bowker (2001-04)
B.S. Environmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 1998
B.S. Political Science and Government, University of California, San Diego, 1998
M.A. Global Environmental Policy, American University, 2006

Current whereabouts:  

Unknown

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