G. Jason Smith
About me
G. Jason Smith, Ph.D. is an Associate Research Scientist at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. Jason received his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Georgia in 1984 and his ongoing research program stems from his fascination with the molecular physiological ecology of marine algae. Specific research projects have ranged from nutrient regulation of coral-dinoflagellate symbioses, to investigation of the molecular regulation of nitrogen assimilation in marine phytoplankton, and biotechnology applications with diatoms and yeast. Current research seeks to identify molecular and biochemical markers associated with production of the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA) by diatoms in the genus Pseudo-nitzschia. His research group is developing molecular bioassays enabling identification of species actively metabolizing DA and well and genetic markers for robust enumeration of Pseudo-nitzschia population and community dynamics.
These research efforts helped Jason recognize the need for reliable and user friendly technologies for characterizing water quality variation over fine temporal and spatial scales, leading to his commitment to the ACT program. Jason has served as the Technical Coordinator for the ACT-Pacific Coast Region, since the program’s inception in 2001. In this position he has provided liaisons between resource managers, environmental scientists and the private sector, with the goal of fostering reliable and appropriate application of new technologies for monitoring water quality and ecosystem health in coastal waters. An important part of these regional efforts is coordinating the design and management of ACTs Technology Performance Verification trials which strive to provide credible and independent assessment of sensor technology performance both under controlled laboratory and in operational field deployment using ACT’s nationally distributed test facilities. Jason was recently nominated to the ACT Board of Directors helping guide the national program’s future activities.
Additional interests include photography, computer graphics (3D visualization and modeling of biological structures) and Ultimate Frisbee.
Areas of interest / keywords
Publications
1. Howard, M.D., G.J. Smith, and R.M. Kudela. 2009. Phylogenetic relationships of yessotoxin-producing dinoflagellates, based on the large subunit and internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA domains. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 75: 54-63. (article)
2. Orcutt, K.M., K. Gundersen, M.L. Wells, N. Poulton, M.E. Sieracki, and G.J. Smith. 2008. Lighting up phytoplankton cells with quantum dots. Limnology and Oceanography Methods 6: 653-658. (article)
3. Litaker, R.W., T.N. Stewart, B.L. Eberhart, J.C. Wekell, V.L. Trainer, R.M. Kudela, P.E. Miller, A. Roberts, C. Hertz, T.A. Johnson, G. Frankfurter, G.J. Smith, A. Schnetzer, J. Schumacker, J.L. Bastian, A. Odell, P. Gentien, D. Le Gal, D.R. Hardison, and P.A. Tester. 2008. Rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of the algal toxin domoic acid. Journal of Shellfish Research 27: 1301-1310. (article)
4. Kvitek, R.G., J.D. Goldberg, G.J. Smith, G.J. Doucette, and M.W. Silver. 2008. Domoic acid contamination within eight representative species from the benthic food web of Monterey Bay, California, USA. Marine Ecology Progress Series 367: 35-47. (article)
5. Smith, G. J and R. Burt. 2007. Towed vehicles: Undulating platforms as tools for mapping coastal processes and water quality assessment. Technical Workshop Series No. ACT-07-01. Alliance for Coastal Technologies, Moss Landing. 32 pp. http://www.act-us.info/workshops.php (report)
6. Smith, G. J, C.O. Davis, and R.M. Kudela. 2006. Optical remote sensing of coastal habitats. Technical Workshop Series No. ACT-06-02. Alliance for Coastal Technologies, Moss Landing. 36 pp. http://www.act-us.info/workshops.php (report)
7. Smith, G. J and K.C. Coale. 2005. Trace metal sensors for coastal monitoring. Technical Workshop Series No. ACT-05-06. Alliance for Coastal Techologies, Moss Landing. 27 pp. http://www.act-us.info/workshops.php (report)
8. Schaeffer, T.A., G.J. Smith, M.S. Foster, and A. DeTomaso. 2002. Genetic differences between two growth-forms of Lithophyllum margaritae in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Journal of Phycology 38: 1090-1098. (article)
9. Robertson, D.L., G.J. Smith, and R.S. Alberte. 2001. Glutamine synthetase in marine algae: new surprises from an old enzyme. Journal of Phycology 37: 793-795. (article)
10. Coyer, J.C., G.J. Smith, and R.A. Andersen. 2001. Evolution of Macrocystis spp. (Phaeophyceae) as determined by ITS1 and ITS2 sequences. Journal of Phycology 37: 574-585. (article)
11. Cabello-Pasini, A., H. Swift, G.J. Smith, and R.S. Alberte. 2001. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum and the phaeophyte Laminaria setchellii. II. Immunological characterization and subcellular localization. Botanica Marina 44: 199-207. (article)
12. Smith, G.J., N.L. Ladizinsky, and P.E. Miller. 2001. Amino acid profiles in species and strains of Pseudo-nitzschia from Monterey Bay California: Insights into the metabolic role(s) of domoic acid. In Harmful Algal Blooms 2000, edited by G.M. Hallegraeff, S.I. Blackburn, C.J. Bolch, and R.J. Lewis, 324-327. IOC-UNESCO. (bookchapter)
13. Gao, Y., G.J. Smith, and R.S. Alberte. 2000. Temperature dependence of nitrate reductase activity in marine phytoplankton: Biochemical analysis and ecological implications. Journal of Phycology 36: 304-313. (article)
14. Jochem, F.J., G.J. Smith, Y. Gao, R.C. Zimmerman, A. Cabello-Pasini, D.G. Kohrs, and R.S. Alberte. 2000. . Cytometry 39: 173-178. (article)
15. Smith, G.J. 2000. Transport makes the difference. Journal of Phycology 36: 625-627. (article)
16. Smith, G.J. 1999. The cell cycle of symbiotic dinoflagellates: Variation in G1 phase duration with anemone nutritional status and macronutrient supply in the Aiptasia -Symbiodinium symbiosis. Marine Biology 134: 405-418. (article)
17. Smith, G.J., R.C. Zimmerman, and R.S. Alberte. 1992. Molecular and physiological responses of diatoms to variable levels of irradiance and nitrogen availability. I. Growth of Skeletonema costatum in simulated upwelling conditions. Limnology and Oceanography 37: 989-1007. (article)
18. Hoegh-Guldberg, O. and G.J. Smith. 1989. The effect of sudden changes in temperature, light and salinity on the density and export of zooxanthellae from the reef corals Stylophora pistillata Esper and Seriatopora hystrix Dana. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 129: 279-303. (article)
19. Weis, V.M., G.J. Smith, and L. Muscatine. 1989. A "CO2-Supply" mechanism in zooxanthellate cnidarians: role of carbonic anhydrase. Marine Biology 100: 195-202. (article)
20. Smith, G.J. 1986. Ontogenetic influences on carbon flux in adult and juvenile polyps of the sea anemone Aulactinia stelloides (Anthozoa: Actiniaria) and their endosymbiotic algae. Marine Biology 92: 361-370. (article)
Positions & Honors
1987 – Australian Museum Lizard Island Research Station Bicentennial Fellowship, Australian Museum of Natural History
1985 – National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship in Plant Biology, National Science Foundation
Groups
Related faculty
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CSUMB, Director CSUMB Seafloor Mapping Lab
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MLML, Zoology
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MLML
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MLML, Oceanography
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MLML, Library
