Polar Science 2006: Jay

Personal Profile

Jay W. Davis

Jay Davis Jay was born near Allentown, Pennsylvania. From the time he was very young he loved all things water related. His family used to vacation at the New Jersey shore and his mom could not keep him out of the Atlantic Ocean no matter how pruned and wrinkly his skin got. One summer when he was just 10 years old, his family planned a big trip to Florida in which they were to visit Sea World for one morning then spend the remainder of the day at Disney World. At noon, the family gathered by the front gate preparing to leave when Jay asked his mother if he could quickly go back to see the dolphin pool one more time. Jay proceeded to get “lost” in the park the rest of the day in order to prevent the family from leaving the creatures that appealed to him so much. From that moment forward whenever asked what he wanted to be when he grew up he responded: “a marine biologist”.

Throughout middle school and high school Jay did whatever he could to prepare himself for that career including taking the classes in math and science that would help him get into a university that had a specific program in marine biology. He also learned how to SCUBA dive at an early age and eventually became both a specialty research diver as well as a Divemaster. As college approached several of his family members and loved ones urged Jay to use his talents to be a doctor, a lawyer or a veterinarian, but Jay was not dissuaded and attended a college with the specific intent of receiving a degree that read: “marine biology”.

Jay achieved an undergraduate degree in marine biology from Galveston, Texas and his first job out of college was working for National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) testing turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) and ensuring no marine mammals or sea turtles were in the vicinity when oil rigs were removed in the Gulf of Mexico. Then the call came – the call every marine biologist student dreams of, the call was from a swim-with-the-dolphin facility in the Florida Keys. What a dilemma, spending 24 days on board a boat with shrimpers or working with dolphins? Well, the choice was difficult but Jay did move to the Keys and did work at the swim-with-the-dolphin facility at least for a time. Jay’s marine mammal experiences prior to this were with stranded (beached) animals or through research efforts, so this was the first time he was working with them in a captive setting, which turned out was not the job for him. Jay then moved on to manage an aquaculture facility in the Keys, which is where his interest and experience in environmental toxicology was borne.

Jay returned to school to combine his two interests (marine mammals and toxicology) and graduated from Texas A&M University with a master’s degree in environmental toxicology (more specific information can be found in the attached CV). After managing an aquatic toxicology laboratory for three years, he was dragged off to the Peace Corps by his wife Lora, where they served two years in Ecuador, South America. Peace Corps gave Jay a new appreciation for life and the world around him. In Ecuador he was involved in research and rehabilitation efforts as well as public education and ecotourism with marine mammals. The Peace Corps experience helped Jay find his niche in public service through non-profit or governmental employment.

Jay currently works as a resource contaminants specialist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Lacey, Washington. He is involved in both regulatory and research aspects of resource management. His current work projects include looking at the effects of contaminants on a variety of critters such as: salmon, sea otters, osprey, and other raptors. Unfortunately what is shown on the Discovery Channel is not always what researchers do at work, and thus Jay spends more time in meetings and in front of the computer than he likes. However, it is the applied science aspects of his job and the fact of knowing that he “speaks for the trees” (as Dr. Seuss’ Lorax would say) and can actually help conserve and restore both the environment as well as species that make all those “indoor” days worthwhile.

Jay has always dreamed of going to Antarctica and thus is excited and honored to be included as a member of the Antarctic Expedition team for this upcoming field season. So follow your dreams, find your niche, and enjoy the journey life provides, but also dare to be different and perhaps one day you too can “speak for the trees” and the fishes, and the birds, and the whales, etc. - they could use you!

Jay_davis's Recent Blog Entries

Jay’s Lament – A Retrospective of my Antarctic Experience

Posted By Jay_Davis, Dr. Kanatous on Mon Dec 18 18:18:10 2006

After a whirlwind, circumnavigation around the South Island of New Zealand following our long flight back from “the ice”, I find myself back at work staring out the window as the Seattle rains continually fall. Was it a dream, did I imagine it or did I in fact spend 2 month on a remote frozen paradise working with a fabulous group of folks on an important scientific endeavor to better understand the Weddell seal? Yes, I don’t have to quite pinch myself, but it was in fact REAL!! Now.....

Last Sampling Helo Flight

Posted By Jay_Davis, Dr. Kanatous on Wed Nov 22 20:12:12 2006

Hello Everyone:

Well it has been awhile since I blogged the site so I thought I would update you on today’s activities. Today we took our last sampling helicopter flight and our mission was to look for the ever elusive juveniles. It seemed luck was on our side as not only did we find our last of the 10 pups we wished to sample (our biggest to date at 107 kg) but alas, we also found a juvenile on our way back ‘home”. Both animals went smoothly and our three person team worked.....

A New Experience

Posted By Jay_Davis, Dr. Kanatous on Thu Oct 19 13:00:27 2006

Howdy Everyone:

As Dr. Steve wrote the “ice team” successfully sampled our first animal. For those of us new to the team it was an exhilarating as well as a learning experience. Drs. Shane and Steve have been preparing us new members for the first capture and we have been memorizing the procedures, preparing the materials, etc. However, the best teacher is experience and now we have some of that under our belts as well. The weather today looks promising and if all goes well we hope to.....

Happy Camper School

Posted By Jay_Davis, Dr. Kanatous on Wed Oct 11 16:57:36 2006

Hello Everybody:

Since Dr. Shawn, Linnea and I are new to Antarctica we have to undergo a bit of training before we are able to go out on the ice and conduct the seal research with Drs. Shane and Steve. Among the training we take is a class called snow school, better known as “Happy Camper School” since we camp out overnight on the ice. Well, during our camp out a storm blew in and when taking into account the wind chill the temperature dropped to negative 44 degrees F (be looking for.....

Yes it’s true...

Posted By Jay_Davis, Dr. Kanatous on Fri Oct 6 21:39:13 2006

Yes it’s true – as Dr. Shane told you the “ice team” has finally made it to the ICE. Good thing since that is where we will be conducting our work. Words cannot describe both the beauty as well as the cold of Antarctica. We arrived yesterday and the weather was very nice, but soon a wind storm blew in and conditions turned quickly. Next we get a variety of training before we are able to leave the station to conduct the research with the seals. This will ensure our safety which of.....

Almost There!!??

Posted By Jay_Davis, Dr. Kanatous on Tue Oct 3 23:55:57 2006

Hi All:

Well, we have made it to New Zealand after a few long flights as well as delays. Now we have one more flight to go before we reach the "ice" of Antarctica, our final destination. We are eager to get started but bad weather pushed off our departure by one day. Hopefully tomorrow??!!

Next time I "blog" it should be from Antarctica - until then - C-ya,

Jay

The Ice Team is leaving THIS Saturday?!

Posted By Jay_Davis, Dr. Kanatous on Wed Sep 27 07:19:08 2006