PNNL

John Vavrinec, PhD, is a senior research scientist with the Coastal Ecosystems Team at PNNL-Sequim. Most of Dr. Vavrinec’s research has been basic science applied to fisheries or habitat management in coastal and estuarine areas around the country. He is a trained marine ecologist and oceanographer with extensive experience conducting field studies. This research experience includes studies on crab foraging and predation, sea urchin demographics and community interactions, larval ecology and transport, settlement and recruitment of flatfish and invertebrates, macroalgal associations, fish movements and behavior, coral reef monitoring, and the use of marine protected areas. Recently, his research has focused on coastal and nearshore restoration projects and the impacts of anthropogenic activities on wild populations. This work has required cooperation with many interest groups, including harvesters, state and federal managers, and other researchers, which has given Dr. Vavrinec a unique approach to the environmental issues of our waterways.

Dr. Vavrinec is also a research diver. Since his certification in 1991, he has logged over 3,000 scientific research dives. These dives have been conducted in a variety of locations, including the Gulf of Maine, the Mid-Atlantic coast, including Chesapeake Bay, Mexico, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Pacific Northwest. He has conducted research in shallow coastal waters as well as deeper offshore areas and has participated in some blue water experiments. Operationally, Dr. Vavrinec has been a research diver with educational institutions, government organizations, and private companies. He has extensive experience in a variety of research methods and approaches that allow for resource assessment, construction of experiments, photographic and videographic documentation, and underwater inspections and maintenance.

Dr. Vavrinec is actively involved with education at multiple levels. He has been an instructor with Western Washington University-Salish Sea Region, primarily teaching oceanography courses in the classroom and field, and now has a joint appointment with the university. He is also a PNNL science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) ambassador, engaging K-12 students in their classrooms, at events, and virtually. Dr. Vavrinec is the PNNL representative to the West Sound STEM Network Implementation Team, which works with agencies, school districts, and businesses to bring STEM education and opportunities to students in the region, increasing awareness, interest, and stewardship of resources.

• Applying basic ecology to management and conservation goals
• Interdisciplinary approaches to understanding community and population dynamics
• Subtidal community changes driven by natural and anthropogenic disturbance
• The use and effectiveness of marine protected areas

2003 PhD, Oceanography, University of Maine

1992 BS, Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

1990 AA, Liberal Arts Math and Science, SUNY, Stone Ridge

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Working Diver

International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers, Inc. (IANTD) Advanced Nitrox

North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owner’s Association (NPFVOA) Vessel Safety Program

National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) Master Diver

IANTD Deep Diver

40 hr. Vessel Operation Training Program

YMCA Divemaster

Technical Diving International (TDI) Rebreather Diver

YMCA Scuba Lifesaving and Accident Management (SLAM) Rescue Diver

Scuba Schools International (SSI) Open Water Diver

IANTD Nitrox

NOAA Small Boat Training

2021

Whiting, J.M., E.D. Cotter, J.R. McVey, N.G. Williams, S.A. Zimmerman, J. Vavrinec, and E.E. Walters. 2021. Data Fusion to Enhance Quality Control and Analysis with Instruments at the Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory. PNNL-32294. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

Woodruff, D.L., J. Haxel, J. Vavrinec, S.S. Southard, S.A. Zimmerman, and K.D. Hall. 2021. Sequim Bay Underwater UXO Prototype Demonstration Site: Field Operations Summary, 2020. PNNL-30930. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

2020

Woodruff, D.L., J. Vavrinec, S.S. Southard, S.A. Zimmerman, and K.F. Mackereth. 2020. Sequim Bay Underwater UXO (SBU2) Prototype Demonstration Site: Field Operations Summary, 2019. PNNL-29725. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

2018

Thom, R.M., J. Gaeckle, K.E. Buenau, A.B. Borde, J. Vavrinec, L.M. Aston, D.L. Woodruff, T. Khangaonkar, and J.E. Kaldy. 2018. "Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Restoration in Puget Sound: Development of a Site Suitability Assessment Process." Restoration Ecology 26 (6):1066–1074. PNNL-SA-128364. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rec.12702.

2012

Thom, R.M., H.L. Diefenderfer, J. Vavrinec, and A.B. Borde. 2012. "Restoring Resiliency: Case Studies from Pacific Northwest Estuarine Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Ecosystems." Estuaries and Coasts 35 (1):78–91. PNNL-SA-68902. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-011-9430-6.

Vavrinec, J., A.B. Borde, D.L. Woodruff, J.M. Brandenberger, R.M. Thom, C.L. Wright, and V.I. Cullinan. 2012. Annual Adaptive Management Report for Compensatory Mitigation at Keyport Lagoon: Mitigation of Pier B Development at the Bremerton Naval Facilities - Compensatory Mitigation at Keyport Lagoon - Naval Underwater Warfare Center Division - Keyport, Washington. PNNL-21147 Draft. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

2010

Johnson, G.E., H.L. Diefenderfer, A.B. Borde, A.J. Bryson, A. Cameron, A.M. Coleman, C. Corbett, E.M. Dawley, B.D. Ebberts, R. Kauffman, G.C. Roegner, M.T. Russell, A. Silva, J.R. Skalski, R.M. Thom, J. Vavrinec, D. Woodruff, and S.A. Zimmerman. 2010. Evaluating Cumulative Ecosystem Response to Restoration Projects in the Lower Columbia River and Estuary, 2009. PNNL-19440. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

2009

Arntzen, E.V., D.R. Geist, K.J. Murray, J. Vavrinec, E.M. Dawley, and D.E. Schwartz. 2009. "Influence of the Hyporheic Zone on Supersaturated Gas Exposure to Incubating Chum Salmon." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 29 (6):1714-1727. PNNL-SA-62788. https://doi.org/10.1577/M08-212.1.

Arntzen, E.V., K.D. Hand, K.M. Carter, D.R. Geist, K.J. Murray, E.M. Dawley, V.I. Cullinan, R.A. Elston, and J. Vavrinec. 2009. Total Dissolved Gas Effects on Incubating Chum Salmon Below Bonneville Dam. PNNL-18081. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

Diefenderfer, H.L., K.L. Sobocinski, R.M. Thom, C.W. May, A.B. Borde, S.L. Southard, J. Vavrinec, and N.K. Sather. 2009. "Multiscale Analysis of Restoration Priorities for Marine Shoreline Planning." Environmental Management 44 (4):712-731. PNWD-SA-8063. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00267-009-9298-4.

Johnson, G.E., H.L. Diefenderfer, A.B. Borde, E.M. Dawley, B.D. Ebberts, G.C. Roegner, M.T. Russell, J.R. Skalski, R.M. Thom, J. Vavrinec, and S.A. Zimmerman. 2009. Evaluating Cumulative Ecosystem Response to Restoration Projects in the Lower Columbia River and Estuary, 2008. PNNL-18677. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

2008

Johnson, G.E., H.L. Diefenderfer, A.B. Borde, E.M. Dawley, B.D. Ebberts, D.A. Putman, G.C. Roegner, M.T. Russell, J.R. Skalski, R.M. Thom, and J. Vavrinec. 2008. Evaluating Cumulative Ecosystem Response to Restoration Projects in the Columbia River Estuary, Annual Report 2007. PNNL-17437. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

2007

Johnson, G.E., A.B. Borde, E. Dawley, H.L. Diefenderfer, B.D. Ebberts, D.A. Putman, G.C. Roegner, R.M Thom, J. Vavrinec, and A.H. Whiting. 2007. Evaluating Cumulative Ecosystem Response to Restoration Projects in the Columbia River Estuary, Annual Report 2006. PNNL-16561. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

Vavrinec, J., N.P. Kohn, K.D. Hall, and B.A. Romano. 2007. Effects of burial by the disposal of dredged materials from the Columbia River on Pacific razor clams (Siliqua patula). PNNL-16350. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

Vavrinec, J., W.H. Pearson, N.P. Kohn, J.R. Skalski, C. Lee, K.D. Hall, B.A. Romano, M.C. Miller, and T.P. Khangaonkar. 2007. Laboratory Assessment of Potential Impacts to Dungeness Crabs from Disposal of Dredged Material from the Columbia River. PNNL-16482. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

Woodruff, D.L., N.P. Kohn, V.I. Cullinan, S.S. Southard, and J. Vavrinec. 2007. Fourth Annual Report: 2007 Pre-Construction Eelgrass Monitoring and Propagation for King County Outfall Mitigation. PNNL-15678-4. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

Woodruff, D.L., S.S. Southard, V.I. Cullinan, N.P. Kohn, M.G. Anderson, and J. Vavrinec. 2007. Third Annual Report: 2006 Pre-Construction Eelgrass Monitoring and Propagation for King County Outfall Mitigation. PNNL-15678-3. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

2006

Diefenderfer, H.L., R.M. Thom, A.B. Borde, G.C. Roegner, A.H. Whiting, G.E. Johnson, E. Dawley, J.R. Skalski, J. Vavrinec, and B.D. Ebberts. 2006. Evaluating Cumulative Ecosystem Response to Restoration Projects in the Columbia River Estuary, Annual Report 2005. PNNL-15934. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.