KEVIN M - University of Arizona



Final Dossier Oct. 11, 2000

SECTION II: JOB DESCRIPTION

The position responsibilities are to encourage wise use of water resources through teaching (40%), research (32%) and extension (28%). Teaching responsibilities include teaching a Tier 1 course and two upper division courses. The teaching component also includes advising and providing support to undergraduates and graduate students. Courses taught should contribute to the overall teaching mission of the department and the college.

Research responsibilities are to develop an active and recognized program focused on aquaculture, aquatic biology and water quality issues. The program should cover issues of interest for industry and the public in the state and be recognized on a national and international level.

The extension responsibilities include working with active and potential aquaculture producers in the state and with county extension professionals who are working directly with their clientele. The aquaculture specialist responsibilities also include aspects of aquatic biology and aquatic nuisance species in the state. The specialist will work closely with many high school agriculture programs as they incorporate aquaculture into their regular agriculture curricula. Develop and maintain a Web site devoted to aquaculture in Arizona and write and distribute an aquaculture newsletter.

I agree with this job description.

Kevin Fitzsimmons

SECTION IV: CV and CANDIDATE STATEMENT - Kevin Fitzsimmons

Chronology of Education:

Ph.D. - Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Arizona, 1999

Development of urban wildlife habitat using saline effluent from electrical generating stations.

Dissertation Director: O. E. Maughan

Master of Science – Marine Biology, University of West Florida, 1988.

Growth and feeding behavior of larval Cyprinodon variegatus reared under continuous illumination.

Thesis Director: C. A. D’Asaro

Bachelor of Science - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, 1978.

Additional Professional Training:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Short Courses; Water Quality (Jan. 1983), Wildlife Diseases (Aug. 1995), Aquatic

Nuisance Species Identification and Control (Jan. 1998), Pesticides and Aquatic Plant Control (Mar. 2000)

University of Arizona, College of Business, Executive Development Course, Tucson. April-May 1984

Western Behavioral Sciences Institute, Leadership & Management Development, Ojai, CA. April 1988

Western Region Teaching Symposium, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, September, 1995.

University of AZ short courses; Lab Safety, Radiation Protection, and Research Animal Care and Use

Chronology of Employment:

1995 to present - Associate Research Scientist - Soil, Water and Environmental Science.

1995 to present - Associate Research Scientist - Wildlife and Fisheries Science (joint appointment)

Conduct an active research program in aquaculture and management of aquatic systems. Teach an introductory environmental science lab course and co-teach two upper division 4 unit courses that are cross- listed by three departments. Develop a formal aquaculture extension program including a Web site, field days, extension newsletter, visits to farms, Career Development Event and school programs. I also provide many tours of University aquaculture research facilities to clientele.

1992 to 1995 - Associate Research Scientist - Environmental Research Lab, University of Arizona.

1992 to 1995 - Adjunct Research Scientist - Wildlife and Fisheries, RNR, University of Arizona.

Principal Investigator on numerous projects with a focus on aquaculture, reuse of wastewaters and management of man-made bodies of water in Arizona. Worked with many of the fish farmers and high school aquaculture programs in the state. Began teaching Biology and Culture of Algae as an experimental course in the Wildlife and Fisheries department.

1988 to 1992 - Research Specialist, Principal - Environmental Research Lab, University of Arizona.

Coordinator for aquaculture research efforts at ERL. PI for research projects concentrating on nutrition, engineering, breeding, production and integration techniques in aquaculture/agriculture systems. I also developed bioremediation projects using saline waters for revegetation projects and soil management and agronomic systems to remove pollutants from stack gases.

1984-88 - Program Coordinator - ERL, Univ. of Arizona.

Coordinator of University agricultural efforts for the Biosphere 2 project. Led and supervised a multi-disciplinary team from the University including faculty, staff, graduate students, and consultants. Prepared budgets, reports, and worked with sponsors, other contractors, press and NASA officials. Also, maintained a small program in aquaculture research.

1981-84 - Research Assistant - ERL, Univ. of Arizona.

Conducted research in support of freshwater aquaculture program and marine shrimp aquaculture project. Duties including collecting broodstock shrimp in Mexico and transporting to farm in Hawaii, designing, conducting, and reporting feeding trials with shrimp and fish.

1979 - 80 - Biological Aide - National Marine Fisheries Service, Destin, Florida.

Collected biological and catch effort data in support of the Oceanic Game Fish Investigation. Duties included coordinating fish tagging project, taking morphological, sex, and gut content data, collecting fish parts for aging studies and officiating at big game fishing tournaments.

Honors, Awards, Certifications:

Elected President of US Aquaculture Society in 1999 (aquaculture professional society)

Certified Professional Fisheries Scientist, No. 1932, American Fisheries Society

Top 20%, College of Agriculture Teaching Evaluations (Spring 1993)

University of West Florida Graduate Fellowship 1979

Invited Member of the Network of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries Professionals

Certified Pesticide Applicator PUG 99-5630 Arizona Department of Agriculture

Service (last 5 years): Outreach:

Local:

Organized and hosted Aquaculture Career Development Event for State FFA Field Day 1998-2000

Instructor - Arizona In-service in Aquaculture Education - AED 597e June 1995 and June 1998

President, V.P. and Board of Directors, Tucson Zoological Society 1997-2000

Presentation “Taste and Odor in the Phoenix area Drinking Water” - Glendale City Hall - March 1997

Guest lecturer - Environmental issues - Canyon Ranch (bimonthly) 1995-1996

National/International:

Organizing 6th International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture, Manila, PHILIPPINES – 9/04

Organizing and moderating Tilapia Technical Session at World Aquaculture Meetings, Orlando, FL – 1/01

Organized & chaired 5th International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture, Rio de Janeiro, BRASIL – 9/00

Co-Chair of Inland Aquaculture Session, World Aquaculture Meeting, Sydney, AUSTRALIA – 5/99

Instructor - National In-service in Aquaculture Education - Auburn University - 7/98

Participant in National Workshop on Aquaculture Genetics, THE PHILIPPINES – 3/98

Organized and moderated Tilapia Technical Session at World Aquaculture Meetings, Las Vegas, NV – 2/98

Organized and chaired 4th International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture, Orlando, FL - 11/97

Organized and moderated Tilapia Technical Session at World Aquaculture Meetings, Seattle, WA – 2/97

Invited lecture to Nevada Aquaculture Association, Reno, NV - 10/96

Organized and moderated Tilapia Technical Session at US Aquaculture Meetings - 1/96

Organized Tilapia Technical Session at World Aquaculture Meetings, San Diego, CA – 2/95.

Guest lecturer - 1. Shrimp diseases, 2. Integrated aquaculture and agriculture & 3. The role of extension in aquaculture development - National Aquaculture Center, Abbassa, EGYPT 8/94.

Guest lecturer - Aquaculture course - University of Idaho – 4/95

Guest lecturer - Aquaculture course - Washington State University – 4/95

Guest seminar and review of aquaculture program at New Mexico State University – 5/95.

Hosted Visiting Scientist from EGYPT 1 – 5/94.

Hosted Visiting Scientists from CHINA 9/98

Hosted Visiting Scientist from ISRAEL 12/99

Hosted Visiting Scientist from ISRAEL 6/00

Hosted Visiting Scientist from PERU 10/00

Hosted Visiting Scientist from ECUADOR 10/00

Professional Societies:

1. World Aquaculture Society, (Nominated to Board of Directors, lost election)

2. U.S. Aquaculture Society, (President-Elect, Board of Directors, Chair of Subcommittee on Electronic Media)

3. American Fisheries Society (Certified Professional Fisheries Scientist, No. 1932)

4. American Tilapia Association (Vice President)

5. Arizona Aquaculture Association (V.P.& Newsletter Editor)

6. Aquacultural Engineering Society

7. Network of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries Professionals

8. Aquatic Plant Management Society

9. North American Lake Management Society

10. American Association for the Advancement of Science

11. Tucson Zoological Society (President, Board of Directors, Treasurer, VP)

Citizenship:

Intramural:

Department Committee(s)

Core curriculum courses

Retreat planning

Department Web Page Coordinator

Seminar Committee

Aquaculture Career Development Event field day

Peer Review Committee

College Committee

Natural Resources Extension Committee (2000 Co-chair education subcommittee)

Review proposals to Agricultural Experiment Station (Wildlife and Fisheries)

University Committee

Task force to develop research and student programs with ITESM, Campus Guaymas, Mexico

Other:

Semi-Annual short course on Care and Use of Aquatic Animals in Research for UA Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Member of Development Panel for Natural Resources Curriculum - A curriculum developed for teaching natural resources at the secondary level in Arizona.

Recorder for session on Whole Effluent Toxicity for Annual Arid West Water Quality Conference. June 1997.

Extramural:

1. Editorial Advisory Board for Reviews in Fisheries Science - A professional journal published by CRC Press and the American Fisheries Society

2. Editorial Advisory Board for Journal of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environment - A professional journal devoted to these issues in the developing world

3. Reviewer of competitive grants for U.S. Departments of Agriculture (CSREES, SBIR, Regional Aquaculture Centers and Fund for Rural America) and Dept. of Commerce, National Science Foundation, Electric Power Research Institute and Water Resources Research Program

4. Member of Technical Committee for Western Regional Aquaculture Center, USDA

5. Member of Review Panel for Aquaculture Curriculum Guide - A curriculum developed for teaching aquaculture at the secondary level, distributed nationwide by the Council for Agricultural Education

6. Member of Technical Advisory Committee, Arizona Department of Water Resources

7. Reviewer for journals - Aquaculture, Progressive Fish Culturist, Journal of World Aquaculture Society, Journal of Aquaculture Engineering, Journal of Aquaculture Research, Journal of Applied Aquaculture, Journal of North American Aquaculture

8. Invited Member of the Network of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries Professionals

9. Provided a program review (curriculum, facilities, student achievements) for aquaculture program at Trinidad State College, CO.

10. Invited member of a USDA-EPA Task Force on Effluent Management from Aquaculture Facilities

Publications:

Books:

Tilapia Aquaculture : Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture. Editor. Fitzsimmons, K. 1997. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service Publication No. NRAES - 106. Ithaca, N. Y. 808pp.

Tilapia in the 21st Century: Proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture. Editor, Fitzsimmons, K. 2000. Ministry of Agriculture, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro. 682 pp.

Book Chapters: (Peer reviewed)

Fitzsimmons, K. 2000. Tilapia aquaculture in Mexico. Pp. 171-183 In: Costa-Pierce, B.A. and J.E. Rakocy, eds. Tilapia Aquaculture in the Americas, Vol. 2. The World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States.

Fitzsimmons, K. 2000. Future Trends of Tilapia Aquaculture in the Americas. Pp. 252-264 In: Costa-Pierce, B.A. and J.E. Rakocy, eds. Tilapia Aquaculture in the Americas, Vol. 2. The World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States.

Refereed journal articles:

9. Galindo-Bect, M.S., Glenn, E.P., Page, H.M., Fitzsimmons, K., Galindo-Bect, L.A., Hernandez-Ayon, J.M., Petty, R.L., Garcia-Hernandez, J. and Moore, D. 2000. Penaeid shrimp in the Upper Gulf of California in relation to Colorado River discharge. Fishery Bulletin 98(1): 222-225.

8. Glenn, E., Cohen, M., Morrison, J., Valdes-Casilla, C. and Fitzsimmons, K. 1999. Science and policy dilemas in the management of agricultural waste waters: The case of the Salton Sea, CA, USA. Environmental Science and Policy 2:413-423.

7. Brown, J.J., Glenn, E.P., Fitzsimmons, K.M. and Smith, S.E., 1999. Halophytes for the treatment of saline

aquaculture effluent. Aquaculture 175:255-268.

6. Fitzsimmons, K., Lovely, C. and E. Glenn. 1998. Growth differences among widely separated geographic accessions of fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) in the Great Basin desert, New Mexico, USA. Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation 12(2):87-94.

5. Glenn, E., Moore, D., Brown, J.J., Tanner, R., Fitzsimmons, K., Akutigawa, M. and S. Napoleon. 1998. A sustainable culture system for Gracilaria parvispora (Rhodophyta) using sporelings, reef growout and floating cages in Hawaii. Aquaculture 165:221-232.

4. Glenn, E., Tanner, R., Miyamoto, S. Fitzsimmons, K. and Boyer, J. 1998. Water use, productivity and forage quality of the halophyte Atriplex nummularia grown on saline waste water in a desert environment. J. of Arid Environments 38:45-62.

3. Fitzsimmons, K., Dickenson, G., Brand, C., and J. Davis. 1997. Effects of reducing dietary lipid levels on growth of hybrid tilapia in an intensive recirculating water system. Progressive Fish Culturist 59:293-296.

2. Riley, J.J., Fitzsimmons, K. M. and E. Glenn. 1997. Halophyte irrigation: An overlooked strategy for management of membrane filtration concentrate. Desalination 110:297-211.

1. Glenn, E., Moore, D. Fitzsimmons, K. and Azevedo, C. 1996. Spore culture of the edible red seaweed, Gracilaria parvispora (Rhodophyta) Aquaculture 142:59-74.

Conference Proceedings:

15. Fitzsimmons, K. 2000. TILAPIA : The most important aquaculture species of the 21st Century. Pp. 3-8. In: Tilapia in the 21st Century: Proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture. Editor, Fitzsimmons, K. 2000. Ministry of Agriculture, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro.

14. McKeon, C., Gerba, C., Glenn, E., and Fitzsimmons, K., 2000. Microbiological hazards of freshwater tilapia culture systems. Pp. 479-485. In: Tilapia in the 21st Century: Proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture. Editor, Fitzsimmons, K. 2000. Ministry of Agriculture, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro.

13. Fitzsimmons, K. 1999. Marketing of Tilapia in the USA. Pp. 12-25. In: The Fifth Roche Aquaculture Conference – August 26, 1999. Bangkok, Thailand.

12. Fitzsimmons, K. and Posadas, B. 1997. Consumer demand for tilapia products in the US and the effects on local markets in exporting countries. Pp. 613-632. In: Tilapia Aquaculture: Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture. Editor. Fitzsimmons, K. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service Publication, No. NRAES - 106. Ithaca, N. Y.

11. Fitzsimmons, K. 1997. Introduction to tilapia production systems. Pp. 317-318. In: Tilapia Aquaculture: Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture. Editor, Fitzsimmons, K. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service Publication, No. NRAES - 106. Ithaca, N. Y.

10. Fitzsimmons, K. 1997. Introduction to tilapia nutrition. Pp. 9-12. In: Tilapia Aquaculture: Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture. Editor, Fitzsimmons, K., Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service Publication, No. NRAES - 106. Ithaca, N. Y.

9. Skeen, B. A., Fitzsimmons, K., Brown, J.J. and G. Dickenson. 1997. Performance characteristics of open and closed bead filters in a closed recirculating tilapia production system. Pp. 276-286. In : M.B. Timmons and T. Losordo, editors. Advances in Aquacultural Engineering. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service Publication No. NRAES - 105, Ithaca, NY.

8. Fitzsimmons, K. 1997. AquaRIC’s: Philosophy and direction. Pp. 19-22. In : Webster, D. and Ewart, J. , editors. National Aquaculture Extension Conference Proceedings. Annapolis, MD.

7. Fitzsimmons, K. 1997. Development and introduction of triploid grass carps for water quality control. Pp.50. In : Webster, D. and Ewart, J. , editors. National Aquaculture Extension Conference Proceedings. Annapolis, MD.

6. Piedrahita R.H., Zachritz, W.H., Fitzsimmons, K, and Brockway, C. 1996. Evaluation and improvements of solids removal systems for aquaculture. pp. 141-150. In: G. S. Libey and M. B. Timmons, editors. Successes and Failures in Commercial Recirculating Aquaculture. Aquacultural Engineering Proceedings II. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service Publication No. NRAES - 8.

5. Olsen, M.W., Fitzsimmons, K.M. and Moore, D.W. 1993. Surface irrigation of cotton using aquaculture effluent, pp.159-165. In: Techniques for Modern Aquaculture (J.K. Wang, Ed.) St. Joseph, MI:ASAE Pub. 02-93.

4. Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1992. Extending the value of aquaculture effluents through sustainable

agriculture practices, p.344-346. In: National Livestock, Poultry, and Aquaculture Waste Management.

Am. Soc. Ag. Eng. Pub. 03-92.

3. Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1992. Fertilizer value of aquaculture effluent and land disposal as a Best Management Practice. pp. 1-4. In: Proceedings of the National Extension Aquaculture Workshop. Ferndale, Ark..

2. Lightner, D., Redman, R., Mohney, L., Dickenson, G., Fitzsimmons, K., 1988. Major diseases encountered in controlled environment culture of tilapias in fresh and brackish water over a three year period in Arizona, p.111-116. In: 2nd International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture. ICLARM, Manila, Philippines.

1. Leigh, L., Fitzsimmons, K.M., Norem, M. and Stumpf, D.K. 1987. An introduction to the intensive agriculture biome of Biosphere II, p.76-81. In: Space Manufacturing 6: Nonterrestrial Resources and Biosciences. Am. Inst. Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Other Publications:

22. Fitzsimmons, K. 2000. Tilapia in Brasil and Mexico. Panorama Acuicola 6(1): in press.

21. Fitzsimmons, K. 2000. Tilapia and shrimp polycultures. Global Aquaculture Advocate 3(4):xx-xx.

20. Fitzsimmons, K. and McIntosh, D. 2000. Aquaculture in the classroom. Hatchery Magazine. in press

19. Fitzsimmons, K., Circa, A., Jimenez, E.B. and Pereda, D. 1999. Development of low cost supplemental feeds for tilapia in pond and cage culture. In: K. McElwee, D. Burke, M. Niles and H. Egna (Editors), Sixteenth Annual Technical Report. Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture CRSP, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. pp. 57-63.

18. Fitzsimmons, K. 1998. O Mercado de Tilapia nos EUA. (Tilapia markets in the US.) Panorama da AQUICULTURA 8(45):28-30.

17. Rusin, P., Walker, D. and Fitzsimmons, K. 1998. Control of geosmin and methylisoborneol in the Central Arizona Project and Salt River Project canals. Final report to Valley of the Sun Water Providers.

16. Fitzsimmons, K. and Circa, A. 1997. Development of low cost supplemental feeds for tilapia in pond and cage culture in the Philippines. In: Fifteenth Annual Technical Report, 1997. Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture CRSP, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.

15. Olsen, M., Frye, R., Fitzsimmons, K., Ebert, S. and Dickenson, G. 1997. Agricultural remediation of stack gases. Rural Electric Research Project 92-4. National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Arlington, VA.

14. Glenn, E., Moore, D., Machado, C., Fitzsimmons, K. and Menke, S. 1996. Atlas of Gracilaria Spore Culture. National Coastal Research and Development Institute, Portland, OR.

13. Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1995. Evaluation of halophytes to dispose of saline water and for direct planting on ash ponds. Report to Arizona Public Service.

12. Fitzsimmons, K.M., E. Glenn, K. Hilwig and T. Holstein 1995. A Survey, with recommendations for control, of aquatic weeds and algae in the Central Arizona Project Canal. Report to Central Arizona Water Conservation District. 22pp.

11. Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1995. Survey and review of constraints to aquaculture development and new species. Western Regional Aquaculture Center, USDA., University of Washington, Seattle, WA. 73pp.

10. Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1994. Staff Appraisal Report: Development of aquaculture infrastructure in Mexico. Report to the World Bank..

9. Glenn, E., Fitzsimmons, K. and D. Baumgartner. 1994. Growth and water use of conventional and halophytic landscape plants irrigated with saline water. EPRI Report 8021-03.

8. Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1992. Use of reclaimed water for Lakeside and other urban lakes. ERL Report #92-11-2. Report to TUCSON WATER, Dec. 1992.

7. Glenn, E., Fitzsimmons, K., and Tollefsen, R. 1991. Productivity of Long Ogo (Gracilaria parvispora) in floating cages in Moloka'i fishponds. Report to National Coastal Resources Institute. Portland, OR.

6. Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1990. Software program to predict hatchery requirements for several species.

Report to Greiner Engineering, Inc.

5. Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1988. Status of aquaculture in the state of Arizona. GHC Bulletin 11(1):23-24.

4. Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1987. Recent advances in aquaculture research. Bull. Az. Coop. Ex. Serv. 6pp.

3. Fitzsimmons, K.M., and Collins, W., 1985. Production and processing of Tilapia fish on the

Pasqua Yaqui Reservation, Tucson, Arizona: A feasibility study. 36pp.

2. Collins, W. and Fitzsimmons, K.M., 1985. Modern aquaculture production of Tilapia fish in El Salvador. Report to FUSADES\AID-US State Department. 43pp.

1. Fitzsimmons, K.M. and B.R. Salser, 1984. Controlled environment aquaculture at the Environmental Research Lab. Am. Fish. Soc. AZ-NM Conf. 1984:1-14.

Abstracts

2001

McIntosh, D.and Fitzsimmons, K. Characterization and evaluation of effluent from an inland shrimp farm as an irrigation source. World Aquaculture Meetings Jan 2001. Orlando, FL.

2000

McKeon, C. and Fitzsimmons, K. Microbiological hazards of fish culture systems. Pp. 217. US Aquaculture Meetings, Feb. 2000. New Orleans, LA.

1999

Fitzsimmons, K. Shrimp farming in saline groundwater in Arizona, USA. Pp. 262. World Aquaculture Meetings, May, 1999. Sydney, AUSTRALIA.

Fitzsimmons, K. Integrated production of tilapia and catfish with row crop irrigation in Arizona, USA.

Pp. 263. World Aquaculture Meetings, May, 1999. Sydney, AUSTRALIA.

1998

Brown, J.J., Glenn, E. and Fitzsimmons, K. Forage crop production on highly saline aquaculture effluent. World Aquaculture Meetings. Feb. 1998. Las Vegas, NV.

1997

Fitzsimmons, K. Use of grass carp for control of aquatic vegetation in the Central Arizona Canal. National Aquaculture Extension Conference. April 1997. Annapolis MD.

Brown, J.J., Fitzsimmons, K., and E. P. Glenn. Halophytes for the treatment of saline aquaculture effluent. World Aquaculture Meetings. Feb. 1997. Seattle, WA.

Zachritz, W. H., Sauceda-Perez, J.A., Fitzsimmons, K., Brown, J.J. and R. Piedrahita. Application of a solids removal protocol to evaluate aquaculture treatment systems: Bead filters and artificial wetlands case studies. World Aquaculture Meetings. Feb. 1997. Seattle, WA.

1995

Moore, D., Fitzsimmons, K., Borgeas, H., Akutagawa, M. and Glenn, E. Hatchery methods and early development of Gracilaria parvispora , World Aquaculture Meetings. Feb. 1995. San Diego, CA.

Fitzsimmons, K., Olsen, M. and A. D’Silva. Cage production in irrigation systems and nutrient contributions to field crops. World Aquaculture Meetings. Feb. 1995. San Diego, CA.

1994

Olsen, M. and K. Fitzsimmons. Integration of catfish and tilapia production with irrigation of cotton. World Aquaculture Meetings. Jan. 1994. New Orleans, LA.

WORK IN PROGRESS:

Piedrahita R.H., Zachritz, W.H., and Fitzsimmons, K. Evaluation and improvements of solids removal systems for aquaculture. Final report to the Western Regional Aquaculture Center.

Media

I have constructed and maintain several Web sites. On the Ag server I maintain sites for Arizona Aquaculture, for the Biology and Culture of Algae course and the Aquatic Plants and the Environment course. I also constructed the Web site for the Environmental Research Lab which is linked to the SWES department page. A student and I are now in the midst of renovating the department Website. As a member of the US Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society, I also construct the Web pages for their Internet site and transfer them to the Purdue University server. I have also created a Website covering Aquatic Nuisance Species in Arizona. Using small grants from the University I have worked with students to set up Websites for Watershed Information on the WWW and an Aquaculture in the Classroom site. This last site will also be released on a CD-ROM. As service to industry, I also created and maintain a site for the American Tilapia Association.

The usage of the Web site has grown rapidly as it is linked by other related sites and the students in the courses use it more extensively. Most recently I have used the site for storage of research results and reports. This facilitates access by other researchers and sponsors. The ag server has begun tracking requests for information or total number of “hits” to each site. The number of requests at my site has increased from 3,000 per week in February 1998 to 6,500 hits per week in November 1998 and to 16,000 per week in July 2000.

Scholarly Presentations (last 6 years): (I) – Invited (C) - Contributed

2000- Peruvian Secretariat of Fisheries - International Seafood Markets - Lima, PERU 11/2000

Keynote address - International Markets for Tilapia (I)

Ohio State University – Forum on Aquatic Food Security - Columbus, OH 10/2000

Aquaculture and Irrigation (I)

International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture - Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL 9/2000

Keynote address - Tilapia in the 21st Century (I)

US Bureau of Reclamation - Land Management Conference - Las Vegas, NV 4/2000

Best Management Practices for Aquatic Nuisances Species Control (I)

California-Arizona Aquaculture Meetings, Palm Springs, CA 2/2000

Introduction to Aquaculture – Basic Principles (I)

Thick – film Biofiltration (I)

1999 - US Aquaculture Meetings - Tampa. FL 1/99

High school aquaculture curricula and Career Development Events (C)

World Aquaculture Meetings - Sydney, AUSTRALIA 5/99

Integrated production of tilapia and catfish with row crop irrigation in Arizona, USA (I)

Shrimp farming in saline ground water in Arizona, USA (I)

1998 - World Aquaculture Meetings - Las Vegas, NV 2/98

Role of Extension in Arid Lands Aquaculture (I)

Update on Commercial Tilapia Farming in the US (I)

Tilapia Production in Mexico and Colombia (I)

1997 - National Aquaculture Extension Conference, Annapolis, MD 4/1997

Aquaculture Regional Information Centers - Philosophy and Direction (I)

1996 - California Aquaculture Meetings, Sacramento, CA - 2/1996

Aquaculture Industry in Arizona (I)

Irrigation with Aquaculture Effluents (I)

Round Table Luncheon - Hydroponics and Aquaculture (I)

Florida Aquaculture Association, Tampa, FL - Nov. 96

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (I)

1995 - World Aquaculture Meetings, San Diego, CA Feb. 95

Cage production in irrigation systems and nutrient contributions to field crops. (I)

Role of tilapia in National Aquaculture Development Plans of Mexico, Egypt and Colombia. (I)

Arizona Hydroponic Society - Aquaculture and Hydroponics 11/95 (I)

Renewable Natural Resources - Use of halophytes for bioremediation of saline effluents 12/95. (C)

Community Presentations:

Aquaculture in the Classroom for High School Science Teachers (AZ Science teachers) – November 1999

Marine Biology – Fructhendler Elementary – October 1999.

Aquaculture and organic farming. Tucson Organic Gardening Club February 1999

Marine biology in the Gulf of California. Tucson Sailing Club. August 1997.

Our Changing Seas. Center for Creative Photography August 1998

Ornamental Ponds and Water Quality - Southern Arizona Koi Association July 1998

Marine Biology – Fructhendler Elementary – October 1996.

Grants and Contracts: (last 5 years)

Multinational -

1. Review aquaculture industry and participate in the development of a $86,000,000 World Bank project with Mexico to develop aquaculture infrastructure on a national level including research, extension, education, demonstration projects, and environmental oversight, PI, WORLD BANK, $45,000. 1994-1995

Federal –

1. Control of invasive and noxious aquatic weeds in the Southwest, PI, Bureau of Reclamation and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, $59,800, 2000-2003.

2. Reducing phosphorus discharge from high density, flow through aquaculture facilities. PI, USDA - WESTERN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTER. $26,000, 2000-2004.

3. Support of Fifth International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture, PI, USAID-Aquaculture CRSP, $12,500, 2000.

4. Polyculture of fish, shrimp, and seaweed in Moloka’i, Hawaii, Co-PI with Glenn and Nelson, USDA-NRICP Agricultural Systems Program, $165,000, 1999-2002.

5. Tilapia nutrition studies with Freshwater Aquaculture Center, Central Luzon State University, Philippines, PI, USAID, $75,172. 1996-1998.

6. Development and evaluation of solids removal systems for aquaculture effluents. PI, USDA- WESTERN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTER, $161,000. 1993-1998

7. Development of integrated farming techniques incorporating aquaculture into irrigated field crop production. Co-PI with M. Olsen, USDA-EPA joint funding, $150,000. 1991-1994.

8. Develop hatchery technology for production of Gracilaria parvispora, Co-PI with E. Glenn, NATIONAL COASTAL RESOURCES INSTITUTE, $70,000. 1993-1995.

9. Review aquaculture research efforts and commercial industry and provide input to redevelopment plans for Governments of Egypt and Jamaica, 1%, PI, USAID, $3,000; 1995 and 1998.

10. Constraints to aquaculture development in the Western United States, PI, USDA - WESTERN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTER, $36,000. 1992-1995.

State -

1. Arizona Watershed Website, PI, U of AZ, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, $2,000, 2000.

2. Aquaculture curriculum on Website and CD-ROM, PI, DISTRIBUTED LEARNING – COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, $1,212, 2000.

3. Lead for aquaculture extension program in Arizona. PI, U of AZ, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, $1,000, 2000.

4. Creation of urban wildlife habitat using saline water from power plants. PI, ARIZONA GAME and FISH, $41,232. 1995-1997.

5. Water conservation potential of floating aquatic plants. Co-PI with J. Riley, UA Small Grants Program, $4,992. 1998-1999.

6. Foreign Travel Grant. UA Travel Grant Committee, $650. 1999.

Industry –

1. Field research analysis in Salt and Verde Rivers Watersheds, $30,000, Co-PI, w/ Walker, CITY of PHOENIX, 2000-2003.

2. Survey of water quality parameters in the SRP Lakes. $92,000, Co-PI w/ Walker, SALT RIVER PROJECT, SCOTTSDALE, MESA, TEMPE, CHANDLER, CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT and GLENDALE, 1999-2002.

3. Survey and control projects for algae and algal compounds in drinking and irrigation water systems. Co-PI with P. Rusin, CAP, SRP, TEMPE, GLENDALE, SCOTTSDALE, MESA, CHANDLER, $188,292. 1996-1998.

4. Re-vegetation of mine tailings using Salicornia and saline wastewaters. Co-PI w/ Glenn. KENNECOTT COPPER. $12,000. 1998-1999.

5. Publishing grant for Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture, 1%, PI, ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, $10,000. 1997.

6. Control of exotic plants and animals in the CAP (Grass carp and Zebra mussels), PI, CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT, $43,000. 1995-2000.

7. Develop plans for a shrimp-algae-halophyte farm in India, Co-PI with E. Glenn, BALLARPUR INDUSTRIES, $18,826. 1995.

8. Develop plans for a multi-species hatchery in France, PI, EUROPFARM, S.A. $3,000 and a tilapia farm in Colombia, PI, SAGRO S.A, $23,000. 1994-1996.

9. Agricultural remediation of stack gases. Co-PI with R. Frye, NATIONAL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION, $194,479. 1991-1995.

10. Production of Paddlefish in Intensive Recirculating Systems, Co-PI with C. Brand, DISNEY, $25,000. 1991-1993.

11. Consultant on hatchery redevelopment project for Arizona G&F facilities, PI, GREINER ENGINEERING, $6,947. 1993.

12. Updates and improvements to aquaculture display at EPCOT Center, Disney World, PI, DISNEY, $50,000. 1992-1994.

13. Re-vegetation of ashponds using halophytes and saline waste waters. PI, ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE, $7,500. 1993-1994.

14. Nutrition of tilapia in intensive recirculating systems. PI, RANGEN FEEDS, SIMPLOT, ARKAT FEEDS, INTEGRAL FEEDS, FISH N DAKOTA, STAR MILLING, $5,579. 1994.

15. Development of a commercial tilapia farm in Arizona. PI, HORMEL $16,774 and ALFICO, $5,000. 1991-1995

Private Foundations:

1. Algae and primary productivity of the marine system in BioSphere 2, Co-PI with Glenn and Nelson, PACKARD FOUNDATION – COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, $60,500, 1999-2004.

2. Sustainable agriculture through hydroponics, aquaculture and biotechnology: A technology linkage grant between Chino Valley High School and the University of Arizona. Co-PI with John Morgan, Phoenix Foundation, $100,000 ($26,000 to U of A) 1997-2000.

Proposals Pending:

1. Joint aquaculture/agriculture water sharing programs for manure management, $145,244 USDA - CSREES

2. Investigation into the Solution of Critical Problems of the Recirculation Aquaculture Industry in the Western Region, $50,243, USDA-WESTERN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTER

3. International Arid Lands Aquaculture Conference, $100,000, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

4. Lake management program for Phoenix urban lakes, $15,000, PHOENIX PARKS AND RECREATION

5. Funding for a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit for the Desert Southwest Biogeographic Area US DEPT of INTERIOR

This is a true and accurate statement of my activities and accomplishments. I understand that misrepresentation in securing continuing status and promotion may lead to dismissal or suspension under ABOR Policy 6-201 I.l.b.

Kevin M. Fitzsimmons

Candidate Statement of Objectives on Teaching, Research and Service:

I began my University of Arizona career as a research technician at the Environmental Research Lab in May of 1981. During the tenure of Carl Hodges as the Director, I worked on various projects developed by Hodges including; shrimp farms in Mexico and Hawaii, the aquaculture display at EPCOT in Florida, and the BioSphere 2 project. I was steadily given more responsibilities and several promotions in classified positions. However, as most of these projects were corporate grants, we were not able to publish much in the peer reviewed literature. In 1992, I was promoted to a non-continuing eligible Associate Research Scientist position. At that time I decided to pursue my Ph.D., on a part-time basis, as I continued working full-time on projects I had developed on my own. A new director at ERL, who came on in 1991, encouraged these projects and my studies.

When the Environmental Research Lab joined the Soil and Water Science Department in 1995, I was offered a continuing eligible position and allowed to apportion my appointment among teaching, research and extension duties. I requested a 1/3 appointment in each area because it was an accurate description of how I had been conducting my program here at the University. Of course these three activities are the pillars of a Land Grant University and I do believe that all three are needed to create strong programs. In teaching, I have developed a strong track record of good evaluations, strong demand to get into the courses from students, and many requests from colleagues to guest lecture. In research, I have developed a long series of funded research projects from international, federal, state, municipal and industrial sponsors. Aquaculture and aquatic biology generally do not lend themselves to large grants, but our program compares favorably with those of other research universities. In extension, I have built a strong reputation with aquaculture producers and aquatic resource managers in the state. I have worked actively to develop aquaculture as a teaching tool in Arizona high schools. The Internet and WWW, along with conventional print materials are my primary extension tools. My Website averages 16,000 hits a week and I answer twenty to thirty e-mails and phone calls daily from clients, in and out of Arizona. As part of my service activities I have also been involved with the Tucson Zoological Society, the private support organization for the Reid Park Zoo. I currently serve as the President of the Society, which has a yearly budget of over $100,000 and has provided almost a million dollars to support zoo projects during my participation as an officer or board member.

My national and international reputation has been developed primarily based on my aquaculture work with tilapia, integration of agriculture and aquaculture, and aquaculture in the classroom. I think this respect is best demonstrated by my recent election to the Presidency of the US Aquaculture Society. This is the professional association for aquaculture scientists. On an international level, I have worked as a consultant on a World Bank project and have organized two international conferences that have had representatives from 50 countries each. I serve as an editor on one major journal, edit another journal that is just starting, and review for several others. I have published in several of the major aquaculture journals, have been invited and served on several federal panels, and have been invited to join an international network of fisheries scientists specializing in tropical fisheries and aquaculture. I am most proud that I have been able to build a strong teaching, research and extension program here at Arizona while earning my Ph.D. in Wildlife and Fisheries, which was completed in July, 1999.

Teaching Philosophy: In 1992, Dr. Lightner offered the Introduction to Aquaculture course for the first time. He asked me to participate by providing one third of the lectures and assisting on the field trip. I greatly enjoyed this teaching experience and decided to investigate teaching a course of my own. Teaching was not in my job description, but there was a lot of discussion at the time regarding faculty who did little or no teaching but concentrated instead on their research. I wanted to do my part in reversing this trend and believed, and still believe, that teaching is the best way to keep the basics fresh in our minds and allow us to better integrate research findings into our chosen fields. I also found that teaching was the best way to find talented students as employees for funded research. Since then I have had several research opportunities develop solely on the basis that I taught a particular subject at the University and interested parties were directed to the faculty who taught that subject.

In my mind, a research university should be teaching specialized courses that incorporate the most recent research findings and use of up to date equipment and techniques. Most importantly it should provide students an opportunity to participate in a state of the art research environment. A weakness in the system that is often criticized, is the lack of teaching skills possessed by some research faculty. I did not want to fall into that category and have made an effort to improve my teaching skills. I took a University of Arizona AgEd course on teaching university level science courses, attended a short course and several seminars on teaching skills. I have observed and tried to adapt techniques from other faculty whose teaching I have admired. I try to provide the students in my classes, and in my lab, personal attention and keep in mind that one of our primary goals is to make sure that our graduates are ready and able to join the work force. In that regard I feel that we must improve the average students writing skills and also their hands-on skills. In my opinion, the university does not provide students enough training in basic laboratory skills or enough time in the field. Graduate students and undergraduates who happen to get an opportunity to work in a lab may get this experience, but many undergraduate students do not. Most science students, when they leave the UA will go into entry level jobs where they will be expected to be familiar with microscopes, pH meters, spectrophotometers and other general lab equipment. I try to make this a priority. Many courses in the natural sciences have also dropped field trips. This deprives students of one of the best learning opportunities of their college education. Every upper division course I teach has a weekend field trip and one or more day trips. This provides a greater opportunity to meet and evaluate students, and for them to get to know me. I also make an effort to post job announcements and remind the students why I am covering certain topics and skills and how it well help them in their careers very soon. I believe that the best way to teach upper division biology courses is through a mix of lecture, lab and field-work. Therefore the two upper division courses I teach are organized as 4 unit classes meeting for 3 hours twice a week with additional field trips. Four unit lec/lab courses are quite unusual now and obviously require a lot of time and effort, so I usually co-teach them with another faculty member. I am convinced this format affords the students the best opportunity to learn.

I have also been involved with several high school aquaculture programs in Arizona. These programs are producing excellent citizens, most of who go on to college. As aquaculture grows as an industry, it becomes more important to include it in the ag curriculum. From a practical point, many teachers have found aquaculture to be an important substitute for large animal husbandry that is not practical in the urbanized part of the state. It also has proven to be an important part of the environmental science curriculum at some schools and has become a focal point for integrated science instruction at some schools.

My primary objectives in teaching are to prepare the students for careers where they have the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in their chosen field.

Research: I am especially excited about aquaculture as a research area. Aquaculture is the fastest growing sector of agriculture in the US and around the world. Here in Arizona, we have a special situation of enormous amounts of water being used for field crop irrigation. Much of this water could be used to produce a first crop of fish. There is a great demand for additional seafood products that can only be met through domestication. Arizona and Southern California are large markets that are constantly seeking new product. The farmers in Arizona are in need of new technologies, which afford them an opportunity to produce new products, utilize their water resources more efficiently and to fertilize their crops in a manner that will be less harmful to the environment. Integration of aquaculture and irrigation is a technique that has wide application in Arizona and many other arid regions of the world. One of the central themes in the early years at ERL was to develop ways that people could be productive along desert seacoasts, without destroying their environment. The reuse of aquaculture or other wastewaters for production of field crops or in the case of saline waters, irrigation of halophytes, is a technique that has great potential here in Arizona and other desert regions. Within this broad category, I have directed my research program in two subject areas. First, I have a focus on the mechanical, economic and biological details of fish production in irrigation canals and reservoirs. Second, I have specialized in the aquaculture of tilapia. When I first started working with tilapia at ERL the fish was virtually unknown in the US. For the last three years, more tilapia were sold in the US than trout. This year US consumption will exceed 150 million pounds. This will put it in the second tier of seafood, behind catfish and salmon but ahead of virtually any wild caught species. My research has included nutrition, pathology, genetics, marketing and most other aspects of tilapia aquaculture. I have been asked to organize the technical sessions on tilapia aquaculture at the annual World Aquaculture meetings for several years. In 1997 and 2000, I was the chair of the organizing committees for the Fourth and Fifth International Symposia on Tilapia in Aquaculture, moderator of the symposia and editor of the Proceedings. I have also published research results with seaweed and shrimp aquaculture. As noted above, I have been invited to serve as an editor for two professional journals, a reviewer for several aquaculture journals and evaluator for aquaculture research proposals.

From a first interest in utilizing aquaculture effluents for irrigation, I have collaborated with Dr. Glenn on several halophyte projects using saline waters for revegetation of disturbed landscapes. This is a field where we have been able to demonstrate that saline waste waters and halophytes can be used for human consumption, for animal feeds, for revegetation, for creation of wildlife habitat, for fugitive dust control and

for landscaping.

Aquatic nuisance species have become a hot topic in aquatic biology and I was asked to serve on the State of Arizona Task Force for Aquatic Nuisance Species. As part of that effort I did some short lab studies and recently was awarded a $60,000 federal grant to lead control efforts here in Arizona.

My primary research objectives are to further establish Arizona as a center of tilapia aquaculture research, to determine the most effective methods of producing fish in irrigation systems, to discern the practical benefits of producing crops with effluents and to maintain water quality in aquatic systems of the state by developing sustainable methods of using and treating water.

Extension: Before the merger of the ERL and the Soil and Water Science Department, I was acting as the de-facto aquaculture extension specialist in Arizona. Most people in and out of state assumed this was part of my job at the University of Arizona. I know virtually all of the aquaculture producers personally; I had served many years as an officer of the Arizona Aquaculture Association, and had been the representative from Arizona to several regional and national extension meetings. Dr. Lightner and I were also the primary representatives from Arizona at the annual World Aquaculture Symposia. When the opportunity arose to formalize my extension position I was pleased to begin working with the extension professionals in Cooperative Extension. Aquaculture is still a relatively small industry in the state, but it has been growing steadily and I expect that it will become a more visible sector in the near future. I am still developing contacts with county faculty and working with them on programs in their particular areas rather than developing projects and working with clientele on my own. I have developed and maintain an extensive website that generates a large volume of requests and is usually one of the most heavily visited areas on the ag college server. I have provided additional details on my extension work in SECTION VIB.

My primary objective in extension is to provide information, both research based and general, which will encourage a wise use and protection of aquatic resources and especially the sustainable production and consumption of aquaculture products.

SECTION VIA: EVALUATION OF TEACHING AND ADVISING

Extent of Teaching: Effort

Spring 1993: Biology & Culture of Algae WFS 476 100% Enrollment 19

Spring 1994: Biology & Culture of Algae WFS/ECOL 475/575 50% Enrollment 14

Spring 1995: Biology & Culture of Algae WFS/ECOL 475/575 50% Enrollment 22

Fall 1995: Introduction to Environmental Science SWES 106 100% Enrollment 25

Spring 1996: Biology & Culture of Algae SWES/WFS/ECOL 475/575 50% Enrollment 26

Summer 1996: Independent Study SWES 499 100% Enrollment 1

Fall 1996: Aquatic Plants and the Environment SWES/WFS/ECOL 474/574 50% Enrollment 18

Fall 1996: Introduction to Environmental Science SWES 106 100% Enrollment 12

Fall 1996: Discussion section SWES 105 100% Enrollment 25

Spring 1997: Biology & Culture of Algae SWES/WFS/ECOL 475/575 50% Enrollment 24

Fall 1997: Introduction to Environmental Science SWES 106 100% Enrollment 15

Fall 1997: Aquatic Plants and the Environment SWES/WFS/ECOL 474/574 50% Enrollment 18

Spring 1998: Biology & Culture of Algae SWES/WFS/ECOL 475/575 50% Enrollment 23

Summer 1998: Independent Study Projects SWES 499 100% Enrollment 1

Fall 1998: Introduction to Environmental Science NATS 101 100% Enrollment 18

Fall 1998: Aquatic Plants and the Environment SWES/WFS/ECOL 474/574 50% Enrollment 32

Fall 1998: Independent Study Projects SWES 499 100% Enrollment 1

Spring 1999: Biology & Culture of Algae SWES/WFS/ECOL 475/575 50% Enrollment 25

Spring 1999: Independent Study Projects SWES 499 100% Enrollment 3

Fall 1999: Aquatic Plants and the Environment SWES/WFS/ECOL 474/574 50% Enrollment 32

Fall 1999: Independent Study Projects SWES 499 50% Enrollment 2

Spring 2000: Biology & Culture of Algae SWES/WFS/ECOL 475/575 50% Enrollment 24

Spring 2000: Independent Study Projects SWES 499 100% Enrollment 2

Spring 2000: Research SWES 900 100% Enrollment 1

Summer 2000: Thesis SWES 910 100% Enrollment 1

Fall 2000: Aquatic Plants and the Environment SWES/WFS/ECOL 474/574 50% Enrollment 34

Instructor: Short course on Care and Use of Aquatic Animals in Research (Yearly)

Guest Lecturer: Introduction to Aquaculture WFS 456/556 (Alternate years)

Guest Lecturer: Wildland Water Quality WSM 468/568 (Yearly)

Guest Lecturer: Arizona In-service in Aquaculture Education - AED 597e June 1995, 1998, 2001

Instructor: Short Course (2 CEU's on Pesticides and Aquatic Weed Controls) Aug. 2000

Teaching Awards and Grants:

Received CCIT grant ($2,000) for purchase of multimedia computer and software for use in the classroom.

Received Distributed Learning grant ($1,212) for Aquaculture Curriculum on Website and CD-ROM.

Individual Student Contact

Advising

I am on the advisor list to undergraduate students in Environmental Science and the lead advisor for students pursuing the Natural Resources emphasis area in the Environmental Science major. I actively advise about 12 undergraduate students per year.

I was not eligible to serve on graduate committees during the five years while I completed my Ph.D. program. However, I continued to informally advise several graduate students whom I supported on my research grants.

Served on College of Agriculture phone bank welcoming new students (March 1999).

Office Hours

I meet with students before or after classes or by appointment at my office in FCR 324.

Mentoring

Before I began working on my Ph.D. I served on four committees for students in various departments. Once I began the Ph.D. work I was not eligible to serve on committees. However, I have provided assistance to many students in the form of research funding, lab facilities and mentoring on projects and thesis/dissertation topics.

Career Counseling

I have made a special effort to discuss careers with students in my classes. I have written over 50 letters of recommendation for students for jobs, graduate schools, the Peace Corps, and special programs. Many of the students still keep in contact regarding what they are doing in their careers.

Honors Program

Received a letter of commendation from Carol Thompson for contributions to the Third Annual Collegiate Institute for Leadership sponsored by the UA Office of Student Activities and Organizations.

Internships

Sponsored three students in the UA In-Step program for high schools students at risk, each for one semester. Worked with three students in the TUSD Professional Internship Program each for one school year.

Independent Studies

Kalb Stevenson – Comparison of algae in BioSphere 2 and the Gulf of California

Lisa Althoff – Design of a small aquaculture recirculating system

Carol Huntsinger - Respiration rates of marine algae.

Cory Stephens - Growth of Salicornia accessions under different salinities.

Chris Cummins - effects of thallus weight, CO2 buffers and light on O2 production of macroalgae.

Alison Dainty - Feeding trial with three species of Tilapia.

Kendra Portada - Red algae in closed marine systems.

Sam Sanchez - Salinization of soils in a constructed habitat irrigated with power plant cooling water.

Sam Courtland - Reproductive biology of rosy snapper.

Theses

I was not eligible to serve on graduate committees during the five years while I completed my Ph.D. program. Since completing my degree I have recruited several students and served on a couple of committees. While I was working on my degree I assisted several graduate students whom I supported on my research grants.

Directing:

Lora Hine – A constructed wetland to improve water quality at the Reid Park Zoo (In progress)

Chad King - (In progress)

Wendy Slyke - Diatoms in Antarctica as indicators of global change. (In progress)

Serve on committee:

David Ward - Culture of Flannelmouth suckers in captivity (In progress)

Patricia Orosz-Coghlan - Impact of Wildlife on Enteric Pathogens in a Constructed Wetland

Matt Vandersande - Comparative tolerances of five riparian plants from the lower Colorado Rive to salinity, drought, and inundation (Completed)

Assisted with financial support, lab facilities and research guidance.

Casey McKeon - Potential human pathogens found in an aquaculture production unit. (Completed)

Robert Battaso - Salicornia meal as a feed ingredient in tilapia diets. (Completed)

Dissertations

Directing:

Dennis McIntosh - Use of inland shrimp farm effluent for crop irrigation (In progress)

David Walker - Sediment relations and effects on drinking water quality in Lake Pleasant and the CAP. (In progress)

Serve on Committee

Justin Marble - (In progress)

Assisted with financial support, lab facilities and research guidance.

Celecina Azevedo - Use of N15 to track nitrogen partitioning in integrated aquaculture/hydroponics.

J.J. Brown - Use of halophytes to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from aquaculture effluents.

Student Evaluations

Since my earliest teaching in 1993, I have consistently received high marks on my student evaluation forms. Since joining the department my scores have been near the top of those tabulated for the department.

|Course |Year |Instructor |Overall Course |Amount Learned |

| | |Effectiveness |Rating | |

|SWES 475/575 |Spring 2000 |4.9 |4.4 |4.2 |

| |Mean of comp. courses |4.3 |4.13 |4.09 |

|SWES 474/574 |Fall 1999 |4.4 |4.3 |4.1 |

| |Mean of comp. courses |4.2 |3.9 |3.9 |

|SWES 474/574 |Fall 1998, Spring 1999 |Rated co-instructor | | |

|NATS 101 |Fall 1998 |4.2 |3.6 |3.7 |

| |Mean of comp. courses |4.0 |3.7 |3.7 |

|SWES 475/575 |Spring 1998 |4.8 |4.5 |3.9 |

| |Mean of comp. courses |4.2 |3.9 |3.9 |

|SWES 474/574 |Fall 1997 |4.7 |4.4 |4.1 |

|SWES 106 |Fall 1997 |4.6 |4.6 |4.4 |

| |Mean of comp. courses |4.3 |3.9 |3.9 |

|SWES 474/574 |Fall 1996 |4.7 |4.1 |4.0 |

|SWES 106 |Fall 1996 |4.6 |4.5 |3.9 |

| |Mean of comp. courses |4.2 |3.7 |3.7 |

|SWES 475/575 |Spring 1996 |4.8 |4.8 |4.6 |

| |Mean of comp. courses |3.8 |3.6 |3.7 |

|SWES 106 |Fall 1995 |5.0 |4.9 |4.9 |

| |Mean of comp. courses |3.8 |3.6 |3.6 |

Summary of Student Comments:

SWES 474/574 “Strong lecture techniques and well organized notes.”

“Class was good and informative.”

“He makes learning about wetlands interesting.”

“Kevin is a great instructor - he presented ideas in a fun and easy manner.”

“Very good at explaining information & relating it to students.”

“Good background knowledge and very enthusiastic about teaching.”

“Field trips were great.”

“Relevance of materials to life outside of academia was very well illustrated.”

SWES 106 “Gives clear direction, is easy to talk to, and gives good feedback.”

“Nice.”

“He is an overall great teacher.”

“Kevin is very fair and is always there after class if anyone needs help.”

“Class was enjoyable because he made it so interesting. This was by far my favorite class.”

“Give this guy a raise! He deserves it!”

“Kevin Fitzsimmons was an exceptional lab instructor.”

“Been a role model.”

“Kevin was awesome.”

“Pleasure to come to class. Gives the material in a way that increased my interest in the subject as well as my understanding.”

SWES 475/575 “Made me understand the importance of algae to us and the rest of the environment.”

“Kevin, just work on your drawing.”

“Made the subject interesting.”

“He’s the most down to earth prof. I’ve ever had. It’s a pleasure coming to class each day.”

“Kevin has been an excellent instructor. He spends a lot of time and energy making this course excellent.”

“Kevin’s always interested in students comments and questions. He had time or would make time to help students even though he had a busy schedule. I really enjoyed the class.”

“Makes it fun to learn and easier to understand complicated subjects.”

“Clear, easy to follow lecture materials, very attentive to students, easy to talk to.”

SECTION VIB: EVALUATION OF EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH (EXTENSION)

Extent of Educational Outreach Program:

I am the aquaculture extension specialist for the College. In this capacity I work closely with the industry in the state, the region, nationally and internationally. As the primary specialist in aquatic systems (the fish guy) in extension, I am also asked to work on virtually all aspects of aquatic biology and its effects on water quality. In addition to the aquaculture industry I work with the ornamental fish groups, the irrigation system managers, lake managers, Arizona Game and Fish, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. I answer calls every week about control of algae in backyard ponds, how to stop leaks in stock ponds and residential lakes, how to treat sick aquarium fish and how to control mosquitoes and other aquatic insects without pesticides.

Program Areas: (These are broad areas with considerable overlap)

Aquaculture: Arizona has limited water resources and I have been working to insure that aquaculture is considered as an option for developing sustainable farming in the state. I have taken a two-part approach to this goal. First, I actively provide state of the art, science based information to clientele through workshops, tours, field days, newsletters, Websites, demonstration projects, phone calls and personal visits. At the Environmental Research Lab I maintain populations of tilapia, grass carp, catfish and a various other aquatic species. With these efforts I am reaching active farmers and investors who have or can develop aquaculture projects.

Second, I have taken a long-term approach through teaching at the University and high school levels. My university courses include significant sections on aquaculture, aquatic biology, constructed wetlands, and reservoir and pond management. I have also worked with many high school teachers through workshops, CDE's, on -site visits and tours of our research facilities. The students of these teachers will make the long-term investments in integrated farming that will make aquaculture a central portion of farming here in Arizona.

Aquatic plants and nuisance species: My involvement with these issues arose out of work with grass carp and weed control in irrigation districts and teaching algae and wetlands courses. Now I have several funded projects that are a mixture of research and extension efforts. These include developing a state-wide plan for aquatic nuisance species management that will include public and private stakeholders of aquatic systems. We are also working with sterile grass carp as a biological control for nuisance aquatic weeds in irrigation systems across the state. As a result of these projects, I have also been asked to be a speaker at fishing clubs in the Phoenix area, at koi and water garden clubs in Tucson and as an expert on aquatic weed management plans for the Bureau of Reclamation.

Water quality: The SWES department is very strong in microbial water quality and my group has tried to complement this with our experience with physical water quality. We are working with the CAP, Salt River Project and the municipal water utilities in Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale and Glendale and have developed and conduct monitoring programs for water quality parameters. In addition we are working with the Tucson and Phoenix Parks and Recreation Departments on urban lake issues. Specifically, we focus on parameters that will affect algae and aquatic weed growth and their subsequent impacts on taste and odors in drinking water and fish populations in recreational waters. We have also developed and maintain a website ( http:ag.arizona.edu/watershed ) providing links to watershed data and related websites for Arizona.

Tucson Zoological Society: Over the last four years I have also devoted considerable time and efforts with the TZS, which is the support organization for the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson. I am currently the President of the Society and previously served on the Board of Directors, as Treasurer, and Vice-President. The Society has a yearly operating budget of over $100,000 and over the last four years has raised and provided over $500,000 directly to the zoo for improvements. The Society also has an internship program that has hired three UA graduates to apprentice positions at the zoo.

Program Implementation: All areas

1. Serve as officer for Arizona Aquaculture Association;

2. Edit Arid Lands Aquaculture newsletter covering University and Association activities;

3. Participate in drafting of aquaculture legislation, regulations and Best Management Practices for the Arizona Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Quality;

4. Work with food institutions (from multi-nationals to individual restaurants) in the market development of aquaculture products;

5. Construct and maintain World Wide Web Sites for aquaculture and aquatic systems in Arizona with links to local, US and international URL's. Also created sites for U of A courses, the American Tilapia Association and the U.S. Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society, Aquatic Nuisance Species in Arizona and Watershed Information in Arizona;

6. Instructor for week-long courses on aquaculture for Arizona Agriculture Education Teachers, at Round Valley High School, June 1995 an Chino Valley High School, June 1998.

7. Participated in National Aquaculture Extension Workshop, Little Rock, AR, March 1992;

8. Served on National Advisory Committee for 1997 National Aquaculture Extension Workshop, University of Maryland, April 1997;

9. Provide tours of University aquaculture facilities for high school and junior high school classes

10. Partner to Rio Rico High School “School to Work Partnership Grant – Opportunities in Hydroponics and Aquaculture” awarded to Rio Rico by Arizona Department of Education.

11. Visited and reviewed six high school aquaculture programs.

12. Answer 12 - 15 e-mail requests for information daily.

13. Taught a 2 unit short course of Continuing Education Credit for re-certification of pesticide applicator licensing. August 2000.

14. Short courses on aquatic weed management and use of herbicides in riparian zones (Young, AZ, June 1999 and Holbrook, AZ, Aug. 1999.)

15. Serve on state of Arizona Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. Helped to organize state-wide conference on ANS in Nov. 1999 at ASU-West.

16. Assisting Arizona State Parks Department with plans for construction of new fishing lakes at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Cottonwood, AZ.

17. Assisting City of Tucson Parks and Recreation with urban lake management plan for Tucson lakes.

18. Assisting City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation with plans for new Koi Pond at the Japanese Garden Park.

19. Assisting City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation with urban lake management plan for Phoenix lakes.

20. Hosted Arizona Aquaculture Association meeting at ERLab in July 1999.

21. Provided special tour of ERLab for Frank Kalil and various business associates in Aug. 1999.

22. Reviewed aquaculture curriculum for new aquaculture program at Yavapai Community College in Prescott, AZ.

23. Hosted high school teacher from New York interested in using aquaculture in the classroom.

Evaluation of Extension Efforts

My primary feedback from the industry has been comments from producers whom I have assisted with various problems. I have treated disease and water quality problems, assisted with marketing contacts, found supplies and suppliers, matched job openings with students, and provided background information and reviewed business plans for potential investors.

The industry in Arizona has demonstrated an uneven pace of growth, but has expanded in recent years. Sales now exceed $3,000,000 per year and production is almost 1,500,000 lbs. The most gratifying activity has been the expansion of aquaculture in the high schools. The schools are providing valuable training and exposure of aquaculture products. Most of the schools are using the fish that students produce for various fundraisers. I consider these students to be the next generation of farmers who will consider the multiple use of water for aquaculture and crop irrigation to be an obviously efficient way to use water. I expect that some of these students will inherit or operate farms that incorporate aquaculture from the beginning.

In 1999 I received $1,000 from Cooperative Extension to further strengthen Aquaculture Extension efforts.

The other feedback I receive are the requests for reprints, requests to be added to the newsletter mailing list, and Website hits (which now exceed 16,000 hits per week). Many people are interested in Arizona aquaculture and I have made an effort to provide accurate and timely information to the public. I am proud of my contributions to the industry, to the students and to instilling an understanding of sustainability in management and use of natural resources.

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