Karen Gehrts is the Chief of the Bay-Delta Monitoring and Analysis Section. The Section comprises the majority of the IEP Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP). The EMP is mandated to monitor water quality, phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Karen's duty is to ensure that the chemical, physical and biological monitoring occurs in accordance with Water Right Decision 1641 and that the data generated is disseminated to the various stakeholders. Karen received her Bachelor's of Science from the University of California at Davis and is currently working on her Master's of Science from California State University at Sacramento.

Eric Santos is the chief vessel operator for the EMP and the IEP. He is responsible for operating and maintaining the research vessels owned by the EMP as well as being a consultant for field operations. Eric has operated vessels for the IEP and EMP for several decades and currently holds a US Coast Guard 100 Ton Master's License, a Federal Communications Commission license and is a US Merchant Marine Officer.

Scott Waller is responsible for D1641 discrete Compliance field monitoring element of the EMP from data acquisition to collecting and analyzing samples to describe the variability of water quality constituents in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. His work also includes the development of special studies in response to monitoring findings and the needs of management. Scott also acts as a liaison with other agencies to schedule field activities utilizing EMP staff and equipment. He attended California State University, Sacramento where he studied Biological Conservation.

Tiffany Brown is responsible for the phytoplankton element of the EMP, but her work also includes assisting with other elements of the program (water quality and benthic components). Her duties include analyzing phytoplankton data, writing various technical reports presenting data; field work for the water quality, phytoplankton, and benthic components; sorting benthic samples for biomass. Tiffany received her Bachelor's of Science in Zoology & Marine Biology, with an English minor, from Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA.

Bill Templin is responsible for creation and dissemination of technical scientific products for the Environmental Water Quality and Estuarine Studies Branch (EWQES) and the Interagency Ecological Program (IEP). Bill is the content manager for the EWQES Branch and IEP websites responsible for ensuring that they are complete and up to date and for assuring timely publication of reports. Bill has a Bachelor's Degree in Natural Resources with a minor in Biological Sciences from Humboldt State University and a Masters in Public Administration from California State University, Sacramento with a minor in engineering hydrology. Bill did his thesis on systems analysis applied to hydrologic data collection activities.

Roberta Elkins assists the Bay-Delta Monitoring and Analysis section in the collection and maintenance of benthic and water quality data. Her duties include data reduction and analysis, technical report writing, maintaining sampling equipment and field collection of water quality and benthic samples. Roberta received her AA Degree in Biology from Shasta College.

Heather Fuller is responsible for the benthic component of the EMP. Her duties include benthic field collection, lab work, data management, and data analysis associated with both the mandated monitoring as well several special studies. Heather received her Master's of Science degree in Ecology from the University of California, Davis, and her Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology from the University of Washington.

Nick Van Ark assists the Bay-Delta Monitoring and Analysis section in the collection of benthic and water quality data. His duties include field sampling, data analysis, and manuscript writing for aquatic ecology studies in the Environmental Water Quality and Estuarine Studies Branch (EWQES). He attended The University of California at Davis, where he studied Animal Biology.

Melanie LeGro assists the Bay-Delta Monitoring and Analysis section with the collection of water quality and benthic samples in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Her responsibilities include sorting benthic samples and field data entry. Melanie is an undergraduate at California State University, Sacramento and is working on her bachelors of science in Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in chemistry.

Manuel Serrato assists in the field collection of water quality, biological, and sediment samples in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. He aids in the analysis of benthic invertebrate abundance and biomass data, technical report writing, and database management. Manuel received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of California, Davis.

CDFG

April Hennessy is responsible for the zooplankton element of the EMP. Her duties include managing and analyzing the zooplankton data, writing the zooplankton chapter for the annual water quality report, and an annual status and trends report for the IEP Spring Newsletter. She also attends meetings of the Estuarine Ecology Team, and gives presentations at conferences related to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Estuary. April received her Bachelor's of Science in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology from University of California Davis in 2005, and has been a Biologist for Fish and Game since 2006.

USBR

Nicolas Sakata is a boat operator for the Bureau of Reclamation. He is responsible for operating and maintaining the two Reclamation owned vessels involved in EMP sample collections. His extensive knowledge of the San Francisco Bay and Delta Area stems from his years of experience in the local fishing industry. He currently holds a Coast Guard 100 Ton Master's License. He is also a graduate of CSU Stanislaus, with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.