Benjamin Gibson Email & Phone Number

Tampa, Florida, United States

Mystic, Ct, United States

I am the manager of the Mystic Aquarium Environmental Quality Laboratory, and I also serve as the co-director for inorganics, though I am experienced with microbiology as well. As co-director, I provide oversight and management of day to day operations. The biggest part of this is maintaining a testing schedule for roughly 120 different systems at the aquarium. We test for: pH, salinity, conductivity, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, chlorine, phosphate, copper, calcium and total hardness, total alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, ORP, total coliform, E. coli, fecal coliform, and enterococcus. I interpret these results and communicate them to the applicable departments in order for them to make any necessary changes. I am also responsible with monitoring, managing, and planning the aquarium's discharge, to ensure that all discharge complies with the NPDES and POTW permits the aquarium operates under. In 2019, I provided leadership for Mystic Aquarium's Environmental Quality Lab to gain CT Department of Public Health's State Certification for non-potable water/wastewater and conduct annual proficiency testing to ensure compliance with CT DPH's requirements to maintain that state certification. In addition to that, I also created and currently maintain the quality assurance plan for the laboratory to follow. I was instrumental in revamping existing SOPs and creating new ones for the environmental quality monitoring program, along with creating new programs using the Hach DR6000 Spectrophotometer to measure analytes such as chloroquine, metronidazole, and nitrofuracin. I also maintain, monitor, and update the Environmental Quality schedule as needed to ensure proper coverage while coordinating and communicating both scheduled and unscheduled required water quality events in addition to routine maintenance.

Mystic, Ct

My main role was maintaining lab supplies and equipment necessary to perform water analyses. These analyses are done on ~120 different systems are the aquarium, and the parameters include: pH, Salinity, Conductivity, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Chlorine, Phosphate, Copper, Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium, Dissolved Oxygen, Total coliform/E. coli, Fecal coliform, and enterococcus. I provided leadership for Mystic Aquarium's Environmental Quality Lab to gain CT DPH State Certification for non-potable water/Wastewater and conduct annual proficiency testing to ensure compliance with CT DPH's requirements to maintain that state certification. Create and maintain a quality assurance plan for the laboratory to follow. Along with that, I also oversaw Mystic Aquarium's compliance and adherence to NPDES and POTW permit requirements.

Mystic, Connecticut

I assisted with maintenance of lab supplies and equipment necessary to perform water analyses according to SOPs. Assisted in routine water quality analyses on ~110 different systems. The parameters we tested include: pH, Salinity, Conductivity, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Chlorine, Phosphate, Copper, Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium, Dissolved Oxygen, Total coliform/E. coli, Fecal coliform, and enterococcus. I also assisted the facility with adherence to NPDES permit requirements.

Bristol, Ri

I was responsible for the care and feeding of animals including small mammals, fish, reptiles, and birds, while also providing outstanding customer service. I was also responsible for assisting with both inventory and sales.

Norwich, Ct

I managed staff of 2-3 employees, with the overall responsibility for cooking and ensuring excellent customer service. I was also responsible for monitoring and maintaining the inventory in my specific concession stand. Developing and implementing new ideas for types and styles of food offered also fell under my duties. Lastly, I was responsible for monetary interactions.

Bristol, Ri

I was responsible for the upkeep of marine aquariums, the care and feeding of marine life, and the water quality. This required me to perform water quality tests and to regulate the salinity of the water in the aquariums.

Old Lyme, Ct

Every summer and one fall (2008) during my high school career, I volunteered at the animal hospital; helping out during routine exams by preparing vaccines, carrying out heartworm testing, and carried out fecal testing for parasites. Also provided assistance during surgery and helped clean the kennels.