Jacob started working for the VRG in 2018 as a volunteer scientific diver and was subsequently hired as a Field Research Assistant. In 2021, he was hired as a Research Assistant. He received his B.S in Biology from Cal Poly Pomona, and worked in the Claisse Lab as an undergraduate on a variety of projects. After graduation, he worked at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) where he gained experience in vertical long line, bottom longline, bottom trawling, fish tagging, otolith sectioning, fish identification, and general boating experience. Jacob is currently a Master's candidate at Cal Poly Pomona, studying marine ecology under Jeremy Claisse. Jacob's thesis research focuses on diet composition of Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus) and how it varies with sex, body size, geography, and between breakwater and natural reef habitats. View his CV.