 |
Robert Leaf B.A., Biology, University of California at Santa Cruz |
Academic and Research Interests:
Stock assessment fisheries modeling.
Distribution and abundance of benthic marine fishes and invertebrates.
Stable isotope ecology.
Population and demographic modeling of marine fishes and invertebrates.
Mark and recapture analysis.
Age and growth of marine organisms.
Journal Articles:
Elasticity Analyses of Size-Based Red and White Abalone Matrix Models:
Management and Conservation in California accepted May, 2005 to Ecological Applications. Co-author Dr. Laura Rogers-Bennett, University of California, Davis.
Annual survivorship of Red abalone, Haliotis rufescens , in northern and southern California derived from Jolly-Cormack-Seber maximum likelihood estimation. In preparation with Dr. Laura Rogers-Bennett and Peter Haaker*, California Department of Fish and Game.
Use of bomb radiocarbon as a chronometer for age validation of red abalone, Haliotis rufescens . In preparation with Dr. Gregor Cailliet and Allen Andrews, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories.
* Virginia Tech Alumni
Oral and Poster Presentations:
CalCOFI Symposium, November 3, 2003: Size based demography and prospective elasticity analysis of red abalone ( Haliotis rufescens ) populations in northern California.
Western Society of Naturalists, November 12, 2004: A size-based projection matrix model of red abalone, Haliotis rufescens , in northern California.
Virginia Tech, Department of Natural Resources, March 21, 2005: Conservation and fisheries biology of red abalone, Haliotis rufescens , in northern California.
Grants and Scholarships Received:
PADI Project Aware grant August 2002
J.T. Harvey Scholarship February 2003
American Museum of Natural History Grant March 2003
Myers Oceanographic Trust Grant May 2004
Recent Work Experience:
Bodega Marine Laboratory, Bodega Bay, CA
Research Technician, July 2004 to December 2004
Sea Grant Trainee, June 2002 to June 2003
Designed and implemented field sampling surveys using SCUBA of red abalone and urchin populations in northern California for studies of population dynamics and ecology.
Analyzed invertebrate and fish abundance and harvest data using GIS, MATLAB, and Excel. Prepared technical reports, performed statistical analysis, and wrote and received two grants.
Marine Pollution Studies Laboratory, Moss Landing, CA
Technician, August 2003 to July 2004
Participated in field sampling for a variety of environmental assessment and pollution studies in nearshore California. Sampling included water, sediment, fish, and invertebrate collection. Maintained and calibrated all sampling gear.
ABA Consultants/Benthic Ecology Laboratory, Moss Landing, CA
Research assistant, June 1999 to June 2002
Conducted invertebrate taxonomy, rough sorting, and field work for environmental assessment projects. Performed role of project chief for a number of ROV and benthic field sampling trips. Performed sophisticated statistical analysis.
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA
Graduate teaching assistant for Subtidal Ecology, spring 2002
Graduate teaching assistant for Marine Ecology, fall 2001
Assisted professors in preparation and management of field and laboratory exercises. Instructed students in the design and statistical analysis of class projects. Presented weekly lab exercises.
