Jay A. Davis, Ph.D.

Jay A. Davis, Ph.D.
Senior Environmental Scientist
Contaminant Monitoring and Research Program Manager
Regional Monitoring Program Program Manager
jay sfei.org
510-746-7368
Dr. Davis grew up near the PCB-contaminated aquatic food web of Lake Michigan. He has worked on contaminant issues in San Francisco Bay since 1986. He received his Ph.D. in Ecology at the University of California, Davis in 1997. Dr. Davis is lead scientist of the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in the San Francisco Estuary, a comprehensive water quality monitoring program for San Francisco Bay. He is also lead scientist for bioaccumulation element of the California State Water Resource Control Board's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program, which conducts statewide surveys of contaminants in aquatic food webs. Dr. Davis is also the lead scientist for SFEI's Clean Water program area. His primary research interests are monitoring the accumulation of persistent contaminants in aquatic food webs of the Bay, its watershed, and aquatic ecosystems in California, and the work of John Lillison, England's greatest one-armed poet.
Publication List
Curriculum Vitae

News and Notables:

SWAMP Report on Contaminants in Fish from California Rivers and Streams
May-23-13 | Publications and Reports | Featured

SFEI has prepared a report for the State Water Resources Control Board's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) that presents findings from a screening survey of contaminants in sport fish from California rivers and streams. The study measured methylmercury, PCBs, selenium, and legacy pesticides concentrations in fish from 63 of the most popular fishing locations in the state.

RMP Scientists Contribute to Bay Article as Part of a Synthesis on Mercury in Marine Ecosystems
Dec-05-12 | Publications and Reports | Featured

As part of a Coastal and Marine Mercury Ecosystem Research Collaborative (C-MERC), RMP scientists have contributed to a manuscript assessing avenues for reducing methylmercury contamination in the food webs of San Francisco Bay and its local watershed. The article was published as part of a special issue of the journal Environmental Research.

2012 Regional Monitoring Program Update
Oct-17-12 | Publications and Reports | Featured

The RMP has released the electronic edition of the 2012 Regional Monitoring Program Update. This report provides a concise overview of noteworthy RMP activities and findings, a summary of progress and plans in addressing priority water quality topics, and updated trend plots for key pollutants, water quality indicators, and factors that influence water quality.

SWAMP Report on Contaminants in Fish from the California Coast
May-24-12 | Publications and Reports

SFEI has authored a report for the State Water Resources Control Board's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) that presents findings from California's largest-ever survey of contaminants in sport fish from the coast. The study revealed high methylmercury concentrations along much of the coast.

2011 Pulse of the Estuary: Pollutant Effects on Aquatic Life
Jan-31-12 | Publications and Reports | Featured

The RMP has released the electronic edition of the 2011 Pulse of the Estuary. The theme of this edition is Pollutant Effects on Aquatic Life, and the report includes articles on phytoplankton, fish, birds, and seals, as well as a detailed look at the water quality element of the recent State of the Bay Report.

State of San Francisco Bay 2011 Report
Sep-19-11 | Publications and Reports | Featured

SFEI scientists Josh Collins, Jay Davis, and Thomas Jabusch collaborated with Bay Area scientists to produce a science-based assessment of the health of San Francisco Bay.

SFEI Mercury Scientists present at the International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant
Jul-29-11 | Events and Appearances

Jay Davis, Lester McKee, Don Yee, Nicole David, and Aroon Melwani presented at the International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Fact Sheet on the Antimicrobial Chemical Triclosan
Jun-08-11 | Publications and Reports

The RMP has released a fact sheet on the antimicrobial chemical Triclosan - the first in a series of fact sheets intended to serve as a quick reference for media, regulators, decision-makers, and scientists to allow communication of accurate information to the public.

SWAMP/RMP/Bight Program Report on Contaminants in Fish from the California Coast
May-26-11 | Publications and Reports

SFEI has authored a report for the State Water Resources Control Board's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) and the RMP that presents findings from California's largest-ever survey of contaminants in sport fish from the coast.

2011 Pulse of the Delta: Re-thinking Water Quality Monitoring
Mar-14-11 | Publications and Reports | Featured

Aquatic Science Center and the State and Central Valley Water Boards have released the first edition of the Pulse of the Delta.