VITAE
GEORGE BENJAMIN BROOKS, JR.
Date of Birth: September 28, 1955
Address: 5012 S. 21st Way, Phoenix, AZ 85040
Place of Birth: Phoenix Arizona
email:geobro@delphi.com
602-276-6503
EDUCATION
B.S. Arizona State University, 1980 (Zoology)
M.S. San Diego State University, 1990 (Biology with emphasis in Marine Ecology).
Thesis advisor Dr. Richard F. Ford.
Ph.D. University of Arizona, College of Agriculture, School of Renewable Natural Resources.
1998. (Wildlife and Fisheries Science) Dissertation advisor Dr. O. Eugene Maughan.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND ASSISTANTSHIPS
San Diego State University, San Diego California 1983-1985
Teaching Assistantship
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 1992-1995
Academic Scholarship
Graduate Research Assistantship
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research interests include riparian/wetland restoration, constructed wetland development and use strategies (including sewage treatment systems), Aquaculture/Agriculture integration, new industry development, the effect of animal behavior, ecology on aquaculture system design, the culture of tilapia (hatchery systems and mixed sex growout techniques) and Macrobrachium (larvae culture, growout, economics). I am also interested in the impact of exotic fish releases on endangered and endemic fish populations and the potential of endangered species for commercial aquaculture and reintroduction. I have also interests in catfish extensive, intensive and semi-intensive and semi-recirculating farm system design and operation, high density tilapia/Macrobrachium polyculture techniques, net pen (cage) culture, pond management, water quality, aquatic weed control, cotton and alfalfa cultivation, new crop production, water conservation, aquatic ecology, irrigation, business management, marketing, economics, industry regulation, and public policy development.
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EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS:
A. Graduate
1. Mentoring graduate students to provide the necessary skills to succeed in their chosen careers.
2. Increasing the number of under-represented minorities pursuing advanced degrees.
B. Undergraduate
1. Developing courses designed to provide non-majors with knowledge of the social and political effects of environmental issues on society.
2. Mentoring undergraduate students from unrepresented groups to provide the necessary college survival skills.
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POSITIONS AND RELATED EXPERIENCE
United States Department of Agriculture, Water Conservation Laboratory, Phoenix Arizona, Student Research Technician: 1978-80.
Responsibilities included Maintenance and design of research instrumentation for greenhouse research on CO2 enrichment on tomato plants, greenhouse construction and maintenance, collecting and recording data, computer data entry and statistical analysis of results. Responsibilities also included independent research and publication of results in a refereed journal.
Aquatic Fish Farms of Arizona: Consulting Biologist. 1980-1988
Responsibilities included application of appropriate fish culture techniques to meet company goals, development of new culture methodologies, fish health maintenance, consulting on all aspects of fish culture for clients of company, independent research and marketing.
San Diego State University: Teaching Assistant. 1983-85
Taught Biology 101 laboratory. Responsible for preparing and administrating lecture and laboratory examinations, mentoring students, determining, recording and posting grades.
Also lead fisheries research team for study of ecological effects of proposed Pamo Valley Dam; San Diego County, California; for Mooney-Lettieri and Associates, Inc. San Diego, California.
University of Arizona: Department of Veterinary Science, Assistant in Extension 1990-1992
Extension (60%):
Responsibilities included basic and applied research, developing and publishing scientific and extension papers in refereed journals, trade journals and popular magazines, newsletters and news papers; assisting county agents to assist Arizona farmers in developing fish farms, hosting information seminars and short courses; assisting graduate students.
Achievements include: Served as first Aquaculture Extension Specialist for the University of Arizona; developed an integrated fish farm for the Gila River Indian Community; hosted numerous aquaculture field days and workshops; published first U of A Cooperative Extension Aquaculture Newsletter; proposed, developed and edited first University of Arizona Aquaculture Research Report (1991); published articles in professional and popular journals; participated in the drafting of aquaculture legislation and Best Management Practices for the State of Arizona; advisor to the Arizona Department of Agriculture on aquaculture issues; establishment of a number of fish farms across the state of Arizona.
Research (40%)
Responsibilities included research and development of more appropriate technologies and techniques the culture of aquatic species in Arizona with a focus on integrating aquaculture with irrigated agriculture.
Achievements include: development of the Pens in Earthen Raceway (PERC) integrated aquaculture /agriculture production technique designed for arid regions.
University of Arizona, Tucson Arizona: Graduate Research Assistant 1992-1994
Reviewed and published scientific papers in refereed journals, trade magazines and newspapers and news letters.
Rightrac Inc. Vice President, Director of Research and Development. 1994-Present
Responsibilities included research and development of more appropriate technologies and techniques for the culture of aquatic species in Arizona particularly when integrated with irrigated agriculture. Responsibilities also included consulting with Arizona farmers on establishing fish farms, developing and publishing documents in popular and professional literature and hosting informational seminars.
Achievements include the development of a low cost simplified artificial incubation systems for tilapia eggs with scale up to a 100,000 fingering per month tilapia hatchery; initial development work on inland (Freshwater prawn)Macrobrachium hatchery; development of a low cost methodology for the high density culture of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Patent in process); advisor to the Arizona Department of Agriculture on aquaculture issues
Gila River Indian Community (GRIC), Department of Land and Water Resources; Contract Biologist, 1995-1998; Staff Aquatic Scientist (Biologist) 1998-1999.
Responsibilities include administration and development of funding resources when necessary for biological resource management projects and programs within the 600 square mile GRIC immediately south of Phoenix Arizona: Served as technical advisor to the Department Director, GRIC departments or individuals requesting assistance; conducted biological, ecological, and aquatic research within wetland, riparian, and surface water environments; reviewed and developed technical documents; made presentation at public meetings, tribal committees, Tribal Council, district meetings, and other participating groups and individuals. Developed and made oral, and visual presentation materials to provide an understanding of the GRIC’s ecosystem restoration and maintenance goals, finding and conclusions. Developed general ecosystem restoration and Maintenance related educational outreach activities. Responsibilities also included developing grant proposals related to ecosystem restoration and maintenance. Established and maintained professional working relationships and technical coordination of water quality projects with the Tribal members, GRIC departments consultants, contractors, universities, and other federal and state agencies including the GRIC Department of Environmental Quality, the BIA, the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Individual projects of note include:
Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project (P-MIP) GRIC (1995-Present)
The 300 million dollar, 85 mile P-MIP is the last major federally funded irrigation project to be planned for central Arizona. Responsibilities included preparation and submission of supporting information for the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Aquaculture /Fisheries/Riparian Restoration/Recreation). Conducted preliminary fisheries surveys of existing GRIC canal system and associated reservoirs as part of NEPA compliance.
GRIC Housing construction program (1996-Present)
In support of the GRICs effort to provide adequate housing for tribal members, I am responsible for the Biological Assessment of housing sites as part of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance and assisting in the preparation of Categorical Exclusion Checklists. Also responsible for making public presentations to tribal and district committees in regards to the project.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tres Rios Ecological Restoration Feasibility Study: Confluence of Salt, Gila and Aqua Fria Rivers, Central Arizona. GRIC Department of Land and Water Resources/ Land Use Planning Liaison (1998-Present)
Tres Rios is an Army Corps of Engineers study to determine the feasibility of ecologically restoring the highly modified confluence of the Salt, Gila and Aqua Fria rivers near Phoenix Arizona. Approximately 6 miles of the effluent dominated steam is within the GRIC. I Coordinate the GRIC response and participation in the Tres Rios Project feasibility study. Activities included fisheries (qualitative, quantitative and toxicology) studies of the area (with Az.G&F dept) and habitat value assignment and restoration value projections. Responsibilities also including coordination with cooperating agencies, coordination of rights of entry into reservation and making public presentations to tribal councils, district councils and to the general public. Participated in an Arizona Department of Game and Fish department fisheries survey of the Tres Rios study area. Additional contributions as expert on field identification of endemic species of tilapia.
GRIC Biological Resource Management Projects: PI (1998)
Responsible for the development of biological resource management projects and funding where necessary in support of the GRICs ecological restoration and preservation goals. Active projects include:
EPA Riparian Development Grant: PI with GRIC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) (1998-Present)
Principal investigator for 1.) GIS based project supported by ground truthing to gain a preliminary understanding of the 10,000 acre Gila Wetland within the Reservation in preparation for future riparian restoration projects. 2.) Satellite imagery supported activity to identify and map riparian areas across the reservation. Funding of project through an EPA grant acquired by GRIC-DEQ.
Tribal and Natural resource management skills program: (1998-Present)
Team member with the alternative high school on the GRIC on project to create a Natural resource management program in cooperation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
Gila River Indian Community (GRIC), Department of Land and Water Resources, Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project: Environmental Planner. 1999-Present
The new GRIC irrigation system (Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project(P-MIP)) will consist of several hundred miles of canals, laterals and sub-laterals which will annually deliver more than 173,000 acre feet of Central Arizona Project water to up to 146,330 acres of Tribal and allotted lands when complete in approximately 2011. I am responsible for insuring that the project complies with all federal NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) and tribal environmental regulations. I also participate with planning, design construction teams, develop mitigation recommendations, write and review environmental documentation including Biological Assessments, Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements. I coordinate environmental related activities between the P-MIP and P-MIP contractors, consultants, related tribal projects and participating federal and state agencies including U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Reclamation. In addition, most responsibilities listed under Aquatic Scientist continue as well.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Wildlife and Fisheries Science. University of Arizona School of Renewable Natural Resources. 1999-Present
I participate in the activities of the school including giving seminars and teaching courses. Will serve on graduate committees and advise graduate students.
HONORS
1983 Ebony Magazine Citation: 50 Young Leaders of the 1980's
1984 Sigma Xi, Scientific Honor Society (San Diego Chapter)
Scientist of the Year Award:
1984 Arizona Council of Black Engineers and Scientists:
1994 Centennial Achievement Award (Ph.D. Level):University of Arizona
1992-1995 Academic Scholarship: University of Arizona
1995 National Technical Association
Technical Achievement Award.
1998 Arizona Council of Black Engineers and Scientists
Biologist of the Year:
PROFESSIONAL AND PUBLIC SERVICE AFFILIATIONS
American Fisheries Society Member
American Tilapia Association Member
Arizona Aquaculture Association: Charter member, Secretary, Member Board of Directors.
Arizona Council of Black Engineers
and Scientists Charter member, Board of Directors
Elementary Institute of Science
(San Diego, California): Member Board of Directors
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity: Member. Developed and implemented international fraternity communication network via Internet. Also developed Leadership Conference Format for Western Province (Western Region-7 state area)
Estrella School, (Gila River Indian Community). Science advisor to vocation ed class on science projects
National Council of Black
Engineers and Scientists: Charter member, Past President, Member Board of Directors, Developed listserver and web based discussion and information distribution services.
National Technical Association Member
Sigma Xi (San Diego Chapter) Member (1983)
Vechij Himdag MachchamakuD
(Alternative School. Gila River Indian Science advisor to vocation ed class on Community) science projects.
JOURNAL EDITING, REVIEW BOARDS and PANELS
University of Arizona. Guest Editor, Arid Lands Aquaculture Newsletter. (1999)
City of Phoenix. South Mountain Village Planning Committee. City Council appointment. (1999-present)
Army Corps of Engineers/City of Phoenix. Tres Rios Steering Committee (1998-present)
Bureau of Indian Affairs. Gila River Indian Community Environmental Coordination Team. (1997-Present)
Arizona Department of Agriculture. Aquaculture rules review committee (1997).
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Aquaculture Best Management Practice policy development committee (1995-present).
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Small Business Innovative Research Program ad hoc Aquaculture Grant Proposal Reviewer (1994)
U.S. Department of Agriculture Member of technical advisory committee for Internet development (1994).
Arizona Department of Education/ U.S. Department of Education National Science Scholars Program Nominating Committee (1992)
Coalition to Increase Minority Degrees (Grant Proposal Reviewer)(1991-1994)
Jamaican Agricultural Development Foundation (Guest Lecturer)(1992)
Editor 1991 Arizona Aquaculture Report - A University of Arizona Journal detailing results of recent research on Aquaculture by U of A faculty, staff and students.
COURSES TAUGHT
San Diego State University 1983-85. Biology 101 Laboratory
San Diego State University 1986. Seminar in Marine Ecology. Under-utilized species in Aquaculture. Team taught with Dr. R. F. Ford.
CONFERENCES and PRESENTATIONS
Session planner and moderator: Arid Lands Aquaculture. Aquaculture 98. World Aquaculture Triennial meeting Las Vegas. Nevada. (Feb. 1998)
Session moderator: Desert Aquaculture. Western Regional Aquaculture Expo. California Aquaculture Association. Fresno California, 1997.
Brooks, Jr. G. B. 1997. Desert Aquaculture, an overview. Presented at: The Western Regional Aquaculture Conference. California Aquaculture Association. Fresno California.
Brooks, Jr. G. B. and O. E. Maughan. 1995. Appropriate technologies and the economics of aquaculture. Presented at: Aquaculture 95 World Aquaculture Triennial meeting San Diego, California.
Todd, G. A and Brooks, Jr. G. B. 1995 Fish Health Care 101: A Guide for Troubleshooting. Presented at: Aquaculture 95 World Aquaculture Triennial meeting San Diego, California.
Brooks, G. B. Jr. 1992. Preliminary results of semi-intensive earthen raceway culture in Arizona utilizing net-pens to pace production. Presented at: the National Extension Aquaculture Workshop, Ferndale Arkansas.
Brooks, Jr. G. B. 1992 Reproductive success of a mixed sex population of tilapia in net pen culture. Presented at: Aquaculture 92 Triennial meeting Orlando Florida.
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1989. Arid land aquaculture in Arizona, creation of an industry, 1975-1989. Presented at: The Fifth Technet Conference. National Council of Black Engineers and Scientists.
DISSERTATIONS AND THESES
Brooks, G. B. Jr. 1998. The potential for Macrobrachium rosenbergii culture in arid regions. Doctoral dissertation, Wildlife and Fisheries Science, School of Renewable Natural Resources, College of Agriculture, University of Arizona. 125pp
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1990. The effects of salinity and food type on larval development, growth, and oxygen consumption of the hybrid golden tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus X Oreochromis urolepis hornorum. Masters Thesis. San Diego State University.
REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
Brooks, G. B. Jr., and O.E. Maughan 1999. A Simple, Low Cost and Low Maintenance Artificial Incubator for Oreochromis eggs and fry. (In press)
Brooks, G. B. Jr., and O.E. Maughan 1999. Observations on the influence of shadow on the distribution of Macrobrachium rosenbergii in ponds.(In press)
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1994. A simplified method for the controlled production and artificial incubation of Oreochromis eggs and fry. Progressive Fish Culturist 56: 58-59.
Brooks, G. B. and B. A. Kimball, 1983. Simulation of a low-cost method for solar heating an aquaculture pond. Energy in Agriculture, 1:281-285.
REPORTS
Brooks, G. B. Jr. and G. L. Stark 1998. Gila River Indian Community Gila Wetlands: Pee Posh Riparian Habitat Area. A grant proposal submitted to the Arizona Water Protection Fund by the Gila River Indian Community. 30pp.
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1997. A Preliminary Report on the Establishment, Management and Use of Riparian Habitat Areas on the Gila River Indian Community. Report to the Department of Land and Water Resources, Gila River Indian Community. 49pp.
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1997. Environmental assessment on the memorial borrow pit, Gila River Indian Community. Report to Gila River Reclaimers L.L.C. 105pp
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1997. Results of the November 1996 fish sampling at the Santa Cruz Siphon, southside canal, Gila River Indian Community. Report to the Department of Land and Water Resources, Gila River Indian Community. 4pp
Brooks, G. B. Jr., R. Sotomayor and S. Lindstrom 1996. Gila River Indian Community Riparian Habitat Areas Project (GRIC-RHAP). A grant proposal submitted to the Arizona Water Protection Fund by the Gila River Indian Community. 30pp.
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1996. Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project Incidental Recreation Enhancement Study - Stage I Report: General Concept Study. Report to the Department of Land and Water Resources, Gila River Indian Community. 64pp.
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1995. The Potential for Aquaculture and Fisheries on the Gila River Indian Community: FY94-95 Year 1 Report. Report to the Department of Land and Water Resources, Gila River Indian Community. 27pp
Brooks, G. B. Jr. 1992. Dissolved nitrogen compounds in integrated aquaculture effluent. Cotton, A College of Agriculture Report. Series P-91:211-217
Brooks, G. B. Jr. 1992. Preliminary results of semi-intensive earthen raceway culture in Arizona utilizing net-pens to pace production. in: Proceedings of the National Extension Aquaculture Workshop, Ferndale Arkansas. Facilities: 37-41.
Brooks, G. B., Jr. 1991. A review of the tilapiian species found in Arizona. in: U of A, Arizona Aquaculture Report. Univ. of Az. College of Ag. Rpt. P-89. 1-3
Brooks, G. B., Jr. 1991. Reproductive success of a mixed sex population of tilapia in net pen culture. U of A, Arizona Aquaculture Report. in: Univ. of Az. College of Ag. Rpt. P-89. 4-9
Brooks, G. B. Jr. 1991. Control of tilapia reproduction. in: U of A Arizona Aquaculture Report. University of Arizona College of Agriculture Report. P-89. 10-11
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1991. Catfish and picket lines. in: Compendium of Papers from Technet 91. National Council of Black Engineers and Scientists: 1-12.
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1990. Report of the extension aquaculture program. in: Proceedings of the National Extension Wildlife and Fisheries Workshop E.L. Fitzhugh and J. E. Miller (ed):108
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1989. Arid land aquaculture in Arizona, creation of an industry, 1975-1989. In: Proceedings of the Fifth Technet Conference on Business, Education, and Technical Topics. National Council of Black Engineers and Scientist: 134-141.
Brooks, G. B. Jr., Dale, B., and J. Leiston, 1983. Inventory of existing fish species in Pamo Valley and prediction of fish species composition after Pamo reservoir. Contribution To: Pamo Reservoir Project Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment, Vol I, II. Mooney-Lettieri and Associates, Inc. San Diego, California.
NEWSPAPER AND POPULAR ARTICLES
Brooks, G. B. Jr. and P. Dowd. 1999 Vechij Himdag MachchamakuD success at the central Arizona regional science and engineering fair. University of Arizona Arid Lands Aquaculture Newsletter. 7(1): 1-2.
Brooks, G. B. Jr. 1999. Visions: We need a new plan. Ebony Cactus Newsletter. 1(3): 4-5.
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1995. Where there is water. Careers and the College Graduate. 32-33.
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1994. Costs and benefits of integrated aquaculture as a means of increasing income on an Arizona tribal farm. Aquaculture News 2(8): 5&15.
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1993. Pathways to diversity. Minority Engineer (13) 3: 11-12.
Brooks, G. B., Jr. 1992. Project Leed. Minority Engineer (12) 4: 44-46.
Brooks, G. B. Jr. 1992. Integrating aquaculture and agriculture in Arizona: a case study. WRAC Waterlines (3) 4: 2 & 16.
Brooks, G. B., Jr. 1991. A new reality. Minority Engineer (12) 1: 27-28
Brooks, G. B., Jr. 1991. Cage culture may inhibit tilapia reproduction. Water Farming Journal (Feb):10-11
Brooks, G. B. Jr., 1991. What is your responsibility. Minority Engineer (11) 3: 27.
Children: Haley J. Brooks (D.O.B. 5/29/90), Hasina K. Brooks (D.O.B. 8/16/94)
Arizona Native