1. CHRISTY M STEPHENSON
11105 Shadybrook Drive Tampa, FL 33625
Cell (813) 924-7842
cstephenson813@gmail.com
ADVANCED EDUCATION
M.S. - Marine Science - May 2011, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida
“Foraminiferal Assemblages on Sediments and Reef Rubble at Conch Reef, Florida USA”
B.S. - Biology - December 1995, Salisbury State University, Salisbury, Maryland
B.S. - Environmental Science - May 1996, University of Maryland, Princess Anne, Maryland
WORK EXPERIENCE
Riverside Technologies (NOAA/NMFS subcontractor)
January 2015 – Present
Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean
Pelagic Observer Program
As a fisheries observer I am able to endure diverse ocean conditions, trained in sea survival, and first aid
for emergencies. I am trained to identify target and non target species sealife and document biological
and environmental information of the fishery. The information collected is used to evaluate the
harvest/status of pelagic fish stocks, effectiveness of management measures to control harvest levels,
measures to mitigate protected species interactions. Assist on-going research involving the collection of
skin biopsies from mammals, tagging with sharks, tunas, sablefish, spiny lobsters, swordfish, and some sea
turtles.
Southern Eye Clinic for Animals
March 2013 - December 2013
Tampa, Florida
Head Veterinary Technician and Receptionist
Performed all technician duties necessary for a very busy Ophthalmology specialist for animals veterinary
practice. Responsibilities included everything to do with the patients from scheduling , assisting the
doctor as a technician with daily appointments, emergencies, surgery (per- and post-operative patients),
mobile appointments, as well as taking payments and scheduling those patients’ next appointments.
Responsibilities also included training new staff, assisting in the receptionist position, as well as most
other duties an office manager would perform.
IAP Worldwide Services Inc. (NOAA/NMFS subcontractor)
July 2012 - October 2012
NMFS SEFSC Field Office, St. Petersburg, Florida
Fisheries Biologist II
Under the direction and coordination of the Fisheries Sampling Branch of the Fisheries Statistics Division,
SEFSC Miami Lab, the primary purpose was to intercept and sample local Gulf of Mexico fish catches from
commercial fishing vessels using the Trip Interview Program. Data collected was added to the State Trip
Ticketdatabase, written reports of the fishery trends and conditions of the area provided, and the point of
contact for the local fishing industry.
University of South Florida - College of Marine Sciences
September 2009 – April 2012
St. Petersburg, Florida
➢ Reef Indicators Laboratory Graduate Assistant
Responsible for lab management, ordering supplies, sample processing, training of new students and

2. volunteers. Responsible for processing sediment samples for analysis including sediment texture, and
taxonomic identification of Foraminifera in the samples. Data entry, statistical analysis of data, recording,
and report writing were required.
➢ Marine Resources Fish Health Assessment Biologist
July 2011
Lead Scientist on-board a commercial fishing vessel sampling and assessing the health of fish in the Gulf of
Mexico. Fish identification, external and internal health evaluation and necropsy on all fish collected.
Dial Cordy and Associates Inc. (NRDA subcontractor)
July 2011 - November 2011
Headquarters: Wilmington, North Carolina
Work location: Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico
Professional Scientist
➢ Offshore NRDA technical working group (2011 Plankton Cruise), trustee investigating the
Deepwater Horizon (DWH) BP oil spill. Offshore field operations collecting multiple Gulf of Mexico
organisms using various sampling equipment.
➢ Onshore field operations, conducted from the shore and off small boats, as a part of the marsh edge
sandy shore biota group, collection of sediment, benthic fauna, as well as other environmental data
through physical samples and photography.
University of South Florida - College of Marine Sciences
March 2010 - July 2010
St. Petersburg, Florida
Human Resources Office Assistant
Assisted with the hiring process of personnel and faculty appointments, organized committee meetings,
filing,labeling, and other administrative duties as needed.
Consolidated Safety Services (NOAA subcontractor)
July 2010 - May 2011
Headquarters: Alexandria, Virginia
Work location: Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico
 Data Manager - Shipboard Support
NOAA submerged oil response team shipboard trustee investigating the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) BP oil
spill. Coordinated, monitored, and organized the collection of samples. Responsible for the sample field
data logs match samples for accurate data. Maintained communication with onshore teams (federal and
private agencies) for cruise updates and/or any complications. Assisted with dissolved oxygen analyses,
sample map creation, and information analysis. Create a suite of daily activity files for the BP command
center reports.
 Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Team (SCAT) Member
Field investigation due to the DWH oil spill was conducted from the shore and small boats. Water, soil,
organisms, and other environmental data was collected including photography. Site-specific constraints
and precautions to be followed during cleanup were recommended.
University of South Florida - College of Marine Sciences
July 2008 - 2010
St. Petersburg, Florida
Oceanography Camp for Girls Counselor/Scientist
Educated middle school girls about marine science, specializing in hands-on necropsy of fish, focusing on
anatomy, physiology, and parasitology.

3. Noah’s Animal Hospital
April 2009 - August 2009
St. Petersburg, Florida
Emergency/ICU Veterinary Technician
Performed all duties necessary for emergency, surgery and critical care patients at a 24-hour hospital.
Biological Research Associates
October 2007 - August 2008
Riverview, Florida
Ecologist and Water Resource Analyst
 Project Manager - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, St. Lucie
County, Florida
 Co-Project Manager - Development of Regional Impact (DRI), monitoring for various
developments throughout the Tampa Bay Area
 Project Manager - Florida Progress Energy power line expansion in Hillsborough County Florida
 Field Team Member - Statewide Water Quality Monitoring for FDEP’s Strategic Monitoring
Program for Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) rule development, throughout Florida. Ecological and
water quality assessments for various marina development and re-development projects. Sampling and
analysis of water, macro-invertebrate, fish, and algal specimens from streams in Florida.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
November 2002 - October 2007
(Florida Marine Research Institute)
St. Petersburg, Florida
Fish and Wildlife Health Group
 Research Biologist - Performed necropsies and histological evaluations on Florida fish species.
➢ Lead Biologist - Sample coordinator and primary evaluator of data on the Tarpon Project in
conjunction with the Fish Biology group.
 Project manager - Production of several educational CD ROMs; a Health Evaluation of Red Drum
(Sciaenops ocellatus), Virtual Necropsy of a Red Drum, and a Parasite Reference.
 Biologist - Investigated fish kill events in Florida and regularly worked in the field on projects
within FWH and with others promoting inter-agency cooperation.
 Lead Biologist - Evaluated histological slides for disease and abnormalities.
Veterinary Surgical Services
November 2004 - August 2006
Tampa, Florida
Veterinary Technician- Assisted with surgeries and had the responsibility as a sole overnight technician
for pre- and post-operative patients.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
July 2000 - October 2002
(Florida Marine Research Institute)
St. Petersburg Florida
➢ Harmful Algae/Fish Health Group - Research Biologist
Coordinated and sampled lesion-bearing fish from the St. Johns, FL water system and evaluate histological
tissue samples to identify a causative agent for disease (Aphanomyces invadans).
➢ Harmful Algae/Molluscan Fisheries - Research Biologist
February 1999 - June 2000
Identified the type of habitat and phytoplankton species that support optimal bay scallop growth.
Assisting with ECOHAB cruises to sample HAB’s species in the Gulf of Mexico.

4. Florida Veterinary Specialists
January 1999 - July 2001
Tampa, Florida
Emergency Veterinary Technician - Specialist/emergency care hospital in Florida. Duties included;
emergency patients admissions, measuring vital signs, stabilizing patients, running blood tests, taking
Xrays,
inserting intravenous catheters, and performing other treatments as necessary. Also trained all the
new emergency technicians hired at the hospital.
Lowry Park Zoo
February 1999 - July 1999
Tampa, Florida
 Zookeeper – Husbandry caretaker of fish, reptiles, and amphibians in the Aquatics and Herpetology
Department. Duties included animal husbandry, diet preparation and health monitoring, systems
maintenance; water quality testing and analyses; maintenance and management of the quarantine facility.
 Veterinary Technician - Assisted the zoo veterinarian with any medical treatments necessary.
Ehrlich Animal Hospital
July 1997 - January 1999
Tampa, Florida
Veterinarian Technician / Receptionist - Assisted during surgeries, scheduled appointments, acted as
caretaker of hospitalized cases, performed X-rays, EKG’s, ultrasounds, and blood tests.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
July 1996 - July 1997
Clearwater, Florida
Sea Turtle Rehabilitator
Rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured, sick or stranded marine animals. Responsibilities included
animal husbandry and exhibit maintenance of Kemp’s Ridley, Loggerhead, and Green Sea Turtles, marine
mammals, stingrays, and all species of fish; diet and vitamin preparation; behavior and health monitoring;
systems maintenance; water quality testing and analyses; and maintenance and management of the
quarantine facility.
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
American Government, Analytical Trigonometry, Basic and General Chemistry I and II with Lab, Basic
Biology I and II with Lab, Cell Biology with Lab, College Algebra, Comparative Anatomy with Lab, Ecology
with Lab, Economics, English I and II, English Literature and Film, Environmental Remote Sensing,
Estuarine Biology with Lab, General Physics I and II with Lab, History, Mammology, Marine Botany with
Lab, Marine Zoology with Lab, Molecular Genetics, Oceanography, Organic Chemistry I with Lab, Painting,
Photoshop, Physical Geography, Plant Physiology with Lab, Principals of Environmental Science, Sociology,
Speech, Statistics, Water Pollution, Wetlands Ecology with Lab, World Civilizations, and Zoology with Lab.
GRADUATE COURSES
Biological Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography, Comparative Animal Physiology, Directed Research,
Evolution/Ecology of Reefs, Fish Biology, Foraminifera Biology, Geological Oceanography, Independent
Research, GIS for non-majors, Physical Oceanography, and Surveying Natural Populations.

5. SPECIAL TRAINING COURSES
Current Topics in Aquatic Toxicology (7 continuing educations credits) July 2005
Minneapolis, MN
Freshwater and marine algal toxins, mycotoxins, botulism, pesticides and herbicides, heavy metals and
acid rain, neoplasia due to pollution, and assessing sub lethal toxicity.
Current Topics in Fish Parasitology (7 continuing educations credits) July 2004
Shepherdstown, WV
In depth coverage of new diseases and new concepts in fish parasitology.
AQUAVET II(3 credit hours) May 2004
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, MA
AQUAVET is an extensive comparative pathology of aquatic animal course. This course is sponsored and
taught by the School of Veterinary Medicine at University of Pennsylvania; College of Veterinary Medicine
at Cornell University; the Marine Biological Laboratory; the Northeastern Fisheries Science Center; the
National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Fish Histology and Histopathology (3 credit hours) January 2003
U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, Newport, Oregon
Hands-on comprehensive training course on fish histology and histopathology, presented by the National
Conservation Training Center, Newport Oregon.
Parasitology February 2002
FMRI, St. Petersburg, Florida
Comprehensive five-day parasitology course, presented by Dr. Jan Landsberg, of the Aquatic Health Group
at FMRI, focusing on the identification and the life history of common parasites.
Histology August 2001
US EPA, Gulf Breeze, Florida
Histology training offered by Dr. Jack Fournie of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The
personalized class was conducted over three days, and focused on lesioned and abnormal tissue histology.
Phytoplankton June 2001
FMRI, St. Petersburg, Florida
Phytoplankton course presented by Dr. Karen Steidinger, Dr. Carmelo Thomas, and Dr. Dave Millie of the
Harmful Algal Group; focusing on the identification and life history of Florida phytoplankton.
PUBLICATIONS
C.M.Stephenson, P. Hallock, F. Kelmo, (2015). “Foraminiferal Assemblage Indices: A Comparison of
Sediment and Reef Rubble Samples from Conch Reef, Florida USA.” Ecological Indicators: 48: 1–7.
C. Stephenson, (2011). Foraminiferal Assemblages in Sediments and Reef Rubble at Conch Reef, Florida
USA. University of South Florida.College of Marine Science, Master’s Thesis, April 2011.
E. Sosa, J. Landsberg, C. Stephenson, A. Forstchen, M. Vandersea, and R. Litaker, (2007). “Aphanomyces
invadans and Ulcerative Mycosis in Estuarine and Freshwater Fish in Florida.” Journal of Aquatic Animal
Health: 19: 14-26.
E. Sosa, J. Landsberg, Y Kiryu, C. Stephenson, T. Cody, A. Dukeman, M. Vandersea and R. Litaker, (2007).
“Pathogenicity Studies with the Fungi Aphanomyces invadans, Achyla bisexualis, and Phialemonium
dimorphosporum: Induction of Skin Ulcers in Striped Mullet.”: Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 19:41-48.

6. POSTERS AND ORAL PRESENTATIONS
C. Stephenson and P. Hallock, (2010). Foraminifera Assemblages on Reef Rubble vs. Sediments on Conch
Reef, Florida Reef Tract. Linking Science to Management: A Conference and Workshop on the Florida Keys
Marine Ecosystem, Hawks Cay Florida, October 2010.
C. Stephenson and P. Hallock, (2010). Foraminifera Assemblages on Reef Rubble vs. Sediments on Conch
Reef, Florida Reef Tract. University of South Florida 2010 Graduate Research Symposium, Tampa Florida
October 2010.
C. Stephenson, A. Dukeman, and H. Brown, (2006). Red Drum Health Reference, a Guide to Health
Practices and Problems for Cultured and Wild Red Drum. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission. International Symposium on Aquatic Animal Health CA September 2006 and, American
Fisheries Society Fish Health Conference MN September 2005.Poster and Oral CD ROM Presentation.
C. Stephenson, H. Brown, and H.P. Wolfe, (2005). Using Web-based Technology to Achieve Public
Participation in a Statewide Fish Health Monitoring Program. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission. American Fisheries Society Fish Health Conference MN September 2005.
A. Dukeman, C. Armstrong, and C. Stephenson, (2004). A Health Index for Hatchery-Reared Red Drum
(Sciaenops ocellatus).57th Annual Meeting of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, St. Petersburg, FL,
Nov. 2004.
C. Stephenson, A. Dukeman, and H. Brown, (2004). Red Drum Health Reference, a Guide to Health
Practices and Problems for Cultured and Wild Red Drum. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission. (A complete interactive 400-page scientific reference manual on the health findings of Red
Drum in electronic CDROM format).
C. Stephenson, FWC, Aquatic Health Group, Tarpon Health Evaluation, (2003). Presentation to Tampa Bay
area Tarpon angler and the television news media on the research done using angler donated tarpon
carcasses.
C. Stephenson, K. Tisdel, and C. Powell, (2003). Suncoast Tarpon Roundup Review Pamphlet, FWC/Florida
Marine Research Institute.
C. Stephenson, (2003). Parasites, Ectoparasites vs. Endoparasites,FWC poster display.
J Landsberg, S. Hall, J. Johannessen, K. White, S. Conrad, L. Flewelling, R. Dickey, F. Van Dolah, M.
Quilliam, T. Leighfield, Z. Yinglin, C. Beaudry, R. Richardson, K. Hayes, L. Baird, R. Benner, P. Rogers,
J.Abbott, C. Stephenson, D. Tremain, D. Heil, D. Hammond, D. Bodager, G. McRae, T. Cody, P. Scott, W.Arnold,
H. Schurz-Rogers, A. Haywood and K. Steidinger, 2002. Pufferfish Poisoning: Widespread
Implications of Saxitoxin in Florida. Xth International Harmful Algal Bloom Conference, St. Petersburg
Beach, FL, October 2002.
C. Stephenson and J. Landsberg, (2002). Ulcerative Mycosis, Salinity, and Granuloma Formation in Florida
Fish, Fourth International Symposium on Aquatic Animal Health, New Orleans, LA. Sept. 2002.
C. Stephenson and A. Dukeman, (2001). Fish Kill Hotline Poster, FWC display, Florida Marine Research
Institute.
CERTIFICATIONS

7.  HAZWOPER 24 (#1953818) and 8 hour Certification , 2010 and 2011
 BP Computer Based Health Safety Training, 2011
 FEMA Certification, 2010
 AAUS Scientific Diver, 2009 - 2011
 Oxygen Administration, 2010
 American Red Cross First Aid Certificate, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2010, 2012
 American Red Cross CPR Certificate, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2010, 2012
 Excel 2003 Intermediate Certification, Comp USA, 2006
 Access 2003 Intermediate Certification, Comp USA, 2006
 U.S Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Skills and Seamanship Certificate, 2001
 SSI Scuba Certification, 1992