Taiga J. Yamaguchi Email & Phone Number

I work under the Water Operations and Resource Management (WORM) unit as the Smelt Monitoring Team lead for our department. I analyze risk for Longfin Smelt and Delta Smelt in the San Francisco Bay Delta using real time data and recommend implementation of Conditions of Approval per the Incidental Take Permit for the State Water Project.

Sacramento, California, United States

- Surveying for zooplanktons and larval fish using 200mm nets, otter trawls, and Mamou trawls. - Sorting zooplanktons under a dissection scope for further identification - Collecting nutrient, chlorophyll, and phytoplankton sample using specialized filtration system, water quality data using YSI and secchi disk, eDNA data of salmonids, and column water velocity data using Acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) - Maintaining fish care, assisting tagging, and releasing juvenile… Show more - Surveying for zooplanktons and larval fish using 200mm nets, otter trawls, and Mamou trawls. - Sorting zooplanktons under a dissection scope for further identification - Collecting nutrient, chlorophyll, and phytoplankton sample using specialized filtration system, water quality data using YSI and secchi disk, eDNA data of salmonids, and column water velocity data using Acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) - Maintaining fish care, assisting tagging, and releasing juvenile salmon from research center to the forebay - Removing predatory fish from Clifton Court forebay using various capturing efforts such as beach seining, boat electrofishing, and hoop traps - Monitoring dredge sites along San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta for fish and invertebrates that are entrained on the fish screen - Collecting benthic samples using a benthic corer- Rescuing stranded fish in YOLO Bypass using sein nets Show less

Rancho Cordova, Ca

· Project: Anadromous Fish Monitoring Program· Participating in field crews conducting anadromous fish surveys, and fish rescue operations-escapements, rotary screw trap, weir, electrofishing (boat and backpack), gillnetting, seining, and dual frequency identification sonar (DIDSON)· Making standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth survival reproductive condition, and or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens, fin clips, or… Show more · Project: Anadromous Fish Monitoring Program· Participating in field crews conducting anadromous fish surveys, and fish rescue operations-escapements, rotary screw trap, weir, electrofishing (boat and backpack), gillnetting, seining, and dual frequency identification sonar (DIDSON)· Making standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth survival reproductive condition, and or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens, fin clips, or tags· Collecting fish scales for age analysis and fish heads for coded wire tag retrieval · Following standardized protocols for Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagging, Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) tagging, Floy tagging, acoustic tagging salmon and sturgeon.· Operating, maintaining, and cleaning field boats (prop and jet), equipment, government vehicles (4WD), Gators, kayaks, including using decontamination pressure washer, monitoring engine oil and gas levels, and making minor repairs· Deploying and retrieving artificial substrate egg mats and collect/store sampled sturgeon eggs· Performing daily maintenance and monitoring of rotary screw traps, including removing debris, making minor repairs, and keeping live well clean and functioning· Assisting in outside projects when needed, such as eradicating invasive water snakes using minnow traps in creeks and ponds Show less

Sacramento, California Area

· Project: Lower American River Carcass Survey· Collecting salmon carcasses by using gaffs while wading through the river or from a research vessel· Identifying sex, freshness, spawn status, and other covariate data from each fish sample· Maintaining the flow of the river through the weir by clearing debris and trapped fish

Sacramento, Ca

· Project: Central Coast Deer Abundance (CCDA) Fecal DNA Survey· Going on multi-day camping and hiking trips in rough terrains and weather conditions· Using handheld GPS device (Garmin) and GIS software (Google Earth Pro) to navigate in remote areas· Establishing sampling transects to collect deer fecal samples for DNA sequencing for mark-recapture analysis· Classifying habitats around transect areas based on local flora· Identifying mammal and bird species from game cameras… Show more · Project: Central Coast Deer Abundance (CCDA) Fecal DNA Survey· Going on multi-day camping and hiking trips in rough terrains and weather conditions· Using handheld GPS device (Garmin) and GIS software (Google Earth Pro) to navigate in remote areas· Establishing sampling transects to collect deer fecal samples for DNA sequencing for mark-recapture analysis· Classifying habitats around transect areas based on local flora· Identifying mammal and bird species from game cameras photosRelated Training:- First Aid/CPR/AED- Cannabis Training- Big game ALDS tag entry Show less

Turlock

· Bhaduri Lab: Effects of Acanthocephalan parasitism on the fecundity of the Pacific mole crab Emerita analoga· Dissecting mole crabs under a dissection scope searching for Acanthocephalan parasites· Analyzing and presenting data using various statistical tests such as linear regression, 1-way ANOVA, and 2-way t-test· Measuring morphometrics using digital calipers, stage micrometers, and calibrated test tubes· Leading a team of 4 undergraduate students

Turlock, Ca

· Preparing instructional materials and equipment such as various solutions, gel electrophoresis plates, and agar plates for introductory biology labs· Maintaining the stockroom freshwater aquarium (daphnea, planaria, freshwater fish)· Sterilizing lab equipment using an autoclave and repairing minor equipment · Checking and reporting on lab equipment inventory for the department

Turlock

· Bhaduri Lab: Exploring the biology of the Siberian Prawn Palaemon modestus· Collaborating with USFWS in collecting invasive species found in the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta· Designing research investigating salinity tolerance and observing specimen behavior· Husbandry of estuarine shrimps in cold room tanks

Lodi, Ca

· Collecting and measuring fish fork length, life stage, and count from midwater trawling in Sacramento San Joaquin Delta· Entering and managing data collected from kodiak trawling, midwater trawling, and beach seining· Measuring and recording abiotic field data such as water velocity, temperature, turbidity, and salinity· Identifying various marine organisms such as Threadfin Shad, American Shad, Jack Smelt, Siberian Prawn, and Maeotias marginata

Turlock, Ca

-Facilitating biweekly sessions to support a group of students in a college level chemistry course-Creating comprehensive worksheets and practice exams-Promoting interactive learning style to increase student engagement in class-Discussing methods to support students in the course with the professor

Bachelor’S Degree, Biology With Concentration In Ecology, Gpa: 3.83

Activities and Societies: University Honors Program, Honors Society of Phi Kappa Phi Summa Cum Laude Dean's List Award for Fall 2013- Fall.

Education record

Activities and Societies: Asian Pacific Islander Historian, Japanese Club of American President, Swimming JV team, Wrestling Varsity team,