Ben Fertig - Curriculum Vitae

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name	Ben Fertig
Email	bfertig@hpl.umces.edu

 

BENJAMIN MEIR FERTIG

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Integration and Application Network

2020 Horn Point Rd

Cambridge, MD 21613

(410) 221 2046

bfertig@hpl.umces.edu

www.ian.umces.edu

 

EDUCATION

 

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science,

Integration and Application Network, Cambridge, MD

M.S. Ecology. Pending.

 

Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

B.A. Biology. May 2003.

Minor: Environmental Studies

Senior Essay: “Integrating Science in Marine Invasive Species Policy”

 

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

 

Anthropogenic influences on estuarine ecosystems, biological indicators of eutrophication, stable nitrogen isotope techniques, spatial analysis, ecosystem health assessment, applying science to environmental management and policy, science communication

 

FELLOWSHIPS AWARDED

 

National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) 2007 Graduate Research Fellowship “Establishing a link between δ¹⁵N in Crassostrea virginica tissues to land use: spatial analysis and modeling approaches” ($29,500)

 

National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) 2006 Graduate Research Fellowship “Developing the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, as a biological indicator of nitrogen sources” ($29,500)

 

 

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

 

Integration and Application Network, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Cambridge, MD.  2005 – Present

§   Developed the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, as a biological indicator of nitrogen sources to Monie Bay, a component of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, using stable nitrogen isotopes.

§   Broadly surveyed oyster isotopes throughout Chesapeake Bay, using oysters collected from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Oyster Gardening Program

§   Identified spatial patterns of anthropogenic nitrogen sources and assessed water quality in Maryland’s Coastal Bays using both oyster and macroalgal biological indicators.

§   Assessed seasonal and temporal variations in oyster stable isotope physiology and ecology.

§   Communicated increased understanding of the eastern oyster as a biological indicator to various scientists, environmental managers,  non-profit organizations, and the public via presentations, newspaper and e-news articles, and newsletters.

 

Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory. Semester in Environmental Science. Woods Hole, MA. Fall 2001

§   Studied terrestrial and aquatic ecology, and mathematical modeling while conducting fieldwork including water quality analysis and nutrient loading in various ecosystems

§   Experimented on aquatic carnivorous plants, revealing nitrogen uptake patterns; presented the paper at the SES Symposium. http://courses.mbl.edu/SES/data/project/2001/fertig.pdf

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

Editor, Oceanic/ Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts          8/03 – 5/05

Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, Bethesda, MD

§   Selecting, editing, and indexing abstracts for Oceanic Abstracts and Aquatic Science and Fisheries Abstracts. All aspects of journal publication.

§   Writing review articles to showcase the ASFA and Oceanic databases in the Hot Topic series.

§   Index websites about aquaculture, aquatic science, oceanography, sustainable fisheries, sustainable energy, sustainable development and international environmental programs

 

Science and Technology Intern                                                         1/03 – 12/03

Northeast Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species, Cambridge, MA

§   Co-authored white paper “Ballast Water Exchange in the North Atlantic: A Background Paper for the Ballast Water Management Workshop”, circulated at Ballast Water Workshop in Halifax. MIT Sea Grant College Program publication number 04-5

§   Profiled marine invasive species found within the Gulf of Maine incorporating information from a broad scientific literature survey on their biology and ecology

§   Assisted with the proposal for a regional ballast water management plan, helped plan a conference regarding ballast water exchange, and gathered shipping traffic data

 

Invasive Species Education and Outreach Fellowship                 6/02 – 12/02

Massachusetts Bays Program, Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Boston, MA

§   Authored public outreach brochure (35,000 printed copies) on invasive species, that advises aquatic pet owners on methods to prevent introductions of non-native species

§   Profiled marine invasive species found in the Gulf of Maine through a broad scientific literature survey on their biology and ecology

 

Naturalist Intern and Research Assistant                                            6/02 – 8/02

Center for Oceanic Research and Education, Essex, MA

§   Identified marine mammals and birds seen along whale watch tours

§   Collected data on location and behavior patterns of marine mammals

§   Publicly spoke about behavior, biology, and ecology of marine life, and the Gulf of Maine

 

Environmental Systems Intern                                                               6/01 – 8/01

IBM Burlington, VT (through the New England Board of Higher Education)

§   Designed and wrote intranet webpages for Environmental Systems, including Groundwater, Hazardous Waste, Chemical Management, and Industrial Waste Water

§   Surveyed solid waste streams for recyclables at IBM-Burlington; prepared annual report

§   Analyzed potential recycling projects, especially cell phone batteries, and developed a framework for a recycling program currently under consideration by IBM

 

 

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Fertig, B., Carruthers, T.J.B., Dennison, W.C., Jones, A., Pantus, F., and Longstaff, B. 2008. Identifying anthropogenic nitrogen loading in Maryland’s Coastal Bays using stable isotope analysis of biological indicators. (Submitted to Estuaries and Coasts)

 

 

TECHNICAL REPORTS

 

Fertig, B., Carruthers, T.J.B., Dennison, W.C.. 2007. Linking Monie Bay watershed land use to nitrogen stable isotopes in tissues of the native eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Prepared for National Estuarine Research Reserve System.

Fertig, B., Carruthers, T.J.B.  Wazniak, C., Sturgiss, B., Hall, M., Dennison, W.C. 2006. Water quality in four regions of the Maryland Coastal Bays: assessing nitrogen source in relation to rainfall and brown tide. Prepared for Maryland Coastal Bays Program.

Fertig, B. August 2004. “Gardening the Oceans Using Iron Fertilizers”. CSA Hot Topic http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/oceangard/overview.php

Fertig, B., Foster, T., and Nicholas, I. April 2005. “Tsunamis and the International Response: Economic, Social and Environmental Dimensions” CSA Hot Topic http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/tsunami/overview.php

Pederson, J. and B. Fertig 2003. “Ballast Water Exchange in the North Atlantic: A Background Paper for the Ballast Water Management Workshop”, circulated at Ballast Water Workshop in Halifax. MIT Sea Grant College Program publication number 04-5

Fertig B. 2003. Integrating Science in Marine Invasive Species Policy. B.A. Senior Essay. 62 pp.

 

PRESENTATIONS­­­­­­­

 

Beckert, K., Fertig, B., O’Neil, J., Carruthers, T.J.B., and Dennison, W.C. (February 2008) “Fine scale patterns of water quality in three regions of Maryland’s Coastal Bays: assessing nitrogen source in relation to land use” Invited speaker at Maryland Coastal Bays Program Science and Technology Advisory Committee Meeting, Cambridge, MD

Fertig, B., Carruthers, T.J.B., and Dennison, W.C. (November 2007) “Identifying anthropogenic nitrogen sources in Monie Bay (Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve) using stable isotopes of the oyster, Crassostrea virginica” Invited speaker at ERF 19^th Biennial International Conference, Providence, RI

Fertig, B., Carruthers, T.J.B., Dennison, W.C. (October 2007) “Identifying anthropogenic nutrient loading in Maryland’s Coastal Bays using stable isotope analysis of biological indicators” Invited speaker Horn Point Laboratory Student Seminar Series

Fertig, B., Carruthers, T.J.B., and Dennison, W.C. (May 2007) “Developing the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, as a biological indicator of nitrogen source: short- and long-term bioindicators in Maryland’s Coastal Bays and linking land use to stable isotopes in Monie Bay” Invited speaker at Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Benson, E., Fertig, B., and Florkowski, L. (March 2007) “From land to lake to sea: Ecological monitoring over various spatial scales and complexities”

(Co-Invited speakers, split between authors) at Integration and Application Network Seminar Series

Fertig, B., Carruthers, T.J.B., and Dennison, W.C. (December 2006) “Comparing the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, to the macroalgae Gracilaria sp. as a biological indicator of nitrogen source in Maryland’s Coastal Bays”

Invited speaker Horn Point Laboratory Student Seminar Series

Fertig, B., Carruthers, T.J.B., and Dennison, W.C. (July 2006) “Developing the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, as a biological indicator of nitrogen source”  Invited speaker at Cooperative Oxford Laboratory

Fertig, B., Carruthers, T.J.B., and Dennison, W.C. (June 2006) “Developing the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica as a biological indicator of nitrogen source” Invited speaker, Horn Point Laboratory Student Seminar Series

 

 

POSTERS

 

Fertig, B., Carruthers, T. Dennison, W. 2007. Developing the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, as a bioindicator of nitrogen source over multiple spatial scales  Poster at 2007 University of Maryland Marine, Estuarine Environmental Science Program Colloquium

 

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

 

Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. 2007  Responsible for facilitating Interactive Video Network and online course readings experience, as well as grading and organizing class presentations (MEES698A)

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

Proficiency with ESRI ArcMap GIS, Adobe Creative Suite 2

Fluency in Spanish, Proficient in Hebrew