AECOS Inc. ~ Resumes of Key Personnel

AECOS Inc. KEY PERSONNEL RESUMES

WATER QUALITY/MICROBIOLOGY

Dr. Allen Cattell is trained in oceanography and specializes in water quality and phytoplankton ecology. His primary responsibilities at AECOS include senior review, statistical analysis, and preparation of environmental survey and assessment reports involving some aspoect of water quality. Dr. Cattell has been extensively involved in the design and implementation of field survey programs, many aimed at the production of environmental impact documents. He has participated as a major contributor in numerous ecological investigations throughout the Pacific area including: Alaska, British Columbia, California, Hawaii, Christmas Island, Johnston Island, Canton Island, Fanning Island, American Samoa, Kwajalein, Palau, Guam, and Thailand.

Dr. Cattell received his Bachelor of Science in 1963 and Master of Marine Sciences in 1965, both from the University of the Pacific. He was awarded a Ph.D. in oceanography by the University of British Columbia in 1969. He subsequently served as an Assistant Professor in the Graduate Department of Oceanography at the University of Hawaii and as Assistant Research Associate at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology before joining the staff at AECOS. Dr. Cattell served as a member of the Technical Committee on Water Quality Standards for the State of Hawai‘i Department of Health as part of the National 208 Areawide Water Treatment Management Plan program.

At AECOS his consulting experience has included a wide variety of environmental investigations throughout the Central and Western Pacific area, including: the effects of disposal of thermal and sewage effluents and also dredge spoils into aquatic environments; the effects of various land development and watershed uses on the water quality of rivers, streams and coastal environments; and the suitability of certain specialized environments for aquaculture development of the alga Spirulina, brine shrimp (Artemia salina), and the common mussel (Mytilus edulis) and the agriculture potential for the Barbados cherry (Acerola) in Hawaii. Research investigations have included the seasonal cycle of dinoflagellates in California coastal waters; the effects of vitamins on phytoplankton growth in the coastal waters of British Columbia; the seasonality of primary productivity in sub-tropical oceanic waters; studies of zooplankton growth rates as a function of salinity and diet under controlled laboratory conditions; factors contributing to the development of “red tides” in sub-tropical coastal waters; and ground water simulation studies relative to deep-well injection of liquid wastes from a manganese nodule processing facility. Curently he manages (and prepares monthly reports for) a coastal water quality monitoring program off Mākena, on the Island of Maui

Jessica Withrow
WATER QUALITY LABORATORY MANAGER

Jessica Withrow has been a full-time laboratory/biological technician with AECOS, Inc. since March 2006. Her strong work ethic and dedication to her craft has carried Jessica from field sampler/tecnician to manager of the AECOS laboratory. Ms. Withrow's responsibilities in the analytical laboratory include first and foremost sample reception and logging followed by directing the laboratory staff and interacting with the office reporting results. She is skilled in the use of laboratory equipment such as the Turner Fluorometer, UV/VIS spectrophotometer, electronic balance and other laboratory meters. Ms. Withrow works with drinking water, sea water, stream water, storm water and wastewater. Her responsibilities as a biology technician include stream and marine aquatic surveys. Ms. Withrow is skilled in the use of field meters that measure pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity, and chlorine as well as sample collection equipment such as the Van-Dorn water sampler. Ms. Withrow has experience in SCUBA and snorkel ?? surveys, including but not limited to benthic, coral, invertebrate, vertebrate, and algae surveys. She regularly provides support in the field to our dive team.

Jessica Withrow earned a BS degree in Marine Biology from Hawaii Pacific University in 2003. Most of her field education and experience while at HPU took place in and around Kāneohe Bay and Coconut Island. Nearshore and tidal ecology was learned in various locations throughout O‘ahu, including Makai Pier, Makapu‘u, Electric Beach, and Sandy Beach.

Rachael Knapstein
MICROBIOLOGIST

Rachel Knapstein is a biologist with AECOS Inc. and has over 9 years of experience in laboratory and environmental sciences including animal husbandry, microbiology, marine biological surveys, and water quality monitoring. Her primary responsibilities at AECOS include monitoring and assessment of water quality, and microbiological analyses. As a field technician, she monitors streams, harbors, and nearshore environments in accordance with water quality regulations outlined in Hawai‘i Administrative Rules and the General Monitoring Guidelines for Section 401 Water Quality Certification Projects. Rachel is a qualified sampler who is thoroughly knowledgeable in all equipment, instruments, SOPs, calibrations, limits, and reporting requirements. As the primary analyst in the microbiology lab, Rachel is responsible for maintaining Hawai‘i State Department of Health laboratory certifications, conducting quality assurance testing, maintaining records and logs, and processing and reporting water samples.

Rachel Knapstein received two B.S. degrees in Biology and Environmental Science from Salisbury University and the University of Maryland: Eastern Shore, respectively, in 2008 and a M.S. degree in Marine Science in 2013 from Hawaii Pacific University. She is a certified NOAA diver who has traveled to remote locations. She worked with NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Division to survey and remove marine debris, specifically derelict fishing gear, from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and has traveled to Johnston Atoll as a diver with AECOS to sample marine sediment surrounding the atoll. She lead coral reef surveys with the volunteer-based monitoring organization, Reef Check Hawaii, and has worked as a certified Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician for the National Institutes of Health. Rachel is certified in first aid, emergency oxygen administration, CPR, maritime security, and hazardous waste management.

Other Personnel:
AECOS
Ecologists

AECOS
Marine Biologists
Terrestrial Biologists

A Hawaiʻi corporation

Last modified December 26, 2022 by webmaster (webguy@aecos.com)