Project Management Office Director
Project Management Office Director

Biography

Dr. David Geist is the director of the Environmental Science and Technology Project Management Office (PMO) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. In this role, David is responsible for operational oversight and execution of projects related to ecosystem health and environmental sustainability, including the management, restoration, and stewardship of our air, water, land, and biological resources. Projects within this PMO include work in mitigating environmental contamination; quantifying and managing natural resource impacts arising from past, current, or planned human activities, including renewable energy; understanding and mitigating responses of natural systems to climate change; and innovating technologies and cost-effective methods to address environmental issues associated with the nation's energy strategy. 

For 14 years, David was the technical group manager for the Ecology Group within the Earth System Sciences Division, leading approximately 40 aquatic and terrestrial biologists in the study of ecological systems around the world. As a group leader, David was responsible for the safe and secure operation of a research team that worked in sometimes harsh conditions. He oversaw the hiring of world-class staff, the acquisition and stewardship of a suite of research boats and support equipment, and the management of research facilities including the Aquatic Research Laboratory. 

David has participated as a fisheries expert for U.S. Congressional hearings on the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River and was a member of the Hanford Reach National Monument Federal Advisory Committee. He is a Fellow in the American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists, a co-editor for the American Fisheries Society’s North American Journal of Fisheries Management, and a former chair of the PNNL Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

David joined PNNL in 1991 after working 4 years as the regional habitat manager for the Washington Department of Fisheries. In that role he was responsible for reviewing and approving in-water work within salmon bearing streams and rivers in SE Washington. 

David holds a Ph.D. in fisheries science from Oregon State University, and BS and MS degrees in biology from Eastern Washington University.  

Disciplines and Skills

  • Biology and physiology of fishes
  • Habitat restoration in rivers
  • Energy development and fish ecology

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Fisheries Science, Oregon State University
  • Master of Science, Life Science, Eastern Washington University
  • Bachelor of Science, Life Science, Eastern Washington University

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • American Fisheries Society
  • American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists

Awards and Recognitions

  • 2002 - Fellow, American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists

Publications

2016

  • Geist D.R., A.H. Colotelo, T.J. Linley, K.A. Wagner, and A.L. Miracle. 2016. "Effects of a Novel Fish Transport System on the Health of Adult Fall Chinook Salmon." Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 7, no. 2:347-358. PNNL-SA-113224. doi:10.3996/102015-JFWM-108

2015

  • Jung K., Z. Deng, J.J. Martinez, D.R. Geist, G.A. Mcmichael, J.R. Stephenson, and P. Graf. 2015. "Performance of an Acoustic Telemetry System in a Large Fishway." Animal Biotelemetry 3. PNWD-SA-10429. doi:10.1186/s40317-015-0052-9

2013

  • Geist D.R., T.J. Linley, V.I. Cullinan, and Z. Deng. 2013. "The effects of total dissolved gas on chum salmon fry survival, growth, gas bubble disease, and seawater tolerance." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 33, no. 1:200-215. PNNL-SA-88149. doi:10.1080/02755947.2012.750634
  • Walker R.W., L.M. Markillie, A.H. Colotelo, D.R. Geist, M.E. Gay, C.M. Woodley, and M.B. Eppard, et al. 2013. "Ultraviolet radiation as disinfection for fish surgical tools." Animal Biotelemetry 1. PNNL-SA-86919. doi:10.1186/2050-3385-1-4

2011

  • Geist D.R., Z. Deng, R.P. Mueller, V.I. Cullinan, S.R. Brink, and J.A. Chandler. 2011. "The effect of fluctuating temperatures and ration levels on the growth of juvenile Snake River fall Chinook salmon." Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 140, no. 1:190-200. PNWD-SA-8841.
  • Murray C.J., D.R. Geist, E.V. Arntzen, Y. Bott, and M.A. Nabelek. 2011. Development of a Conceptual Chum Salmon Emergence Model for Ives Island. PNNL-20035. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Development of a Conceptual Chum Salmon Emergence Model for Ives Island

2010

  • Geist D.R., Z. Deng, R.P. Mueller, S.R. Brink, and J.A. Chandler. 2010. "Survival and growth of juvenile Snake River fall Chinook salmon exposed to constant and fluctuating temperatures." Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 139, no. 1:92-107. PNWD-SA-8458. doi:10.1577/T09-003.1

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, no. 6:1714-1727. PNNL-SA-62788. doi:10.1577/M08-212.1
  • Arntzen E.V., K.D. Hand, K.M. Carter, D.R. Geist, K.J. Murray, E.M. Dawley, and V.I. Cullinan, et al. 2009. Total Dissolved Gas Effects on Incubating Chum Salmon Below Bonneville Dam. PNNL-18081. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Total Dissolved Gas Effects on Incubating Chum Salmon Below Bonneville Dam

2008

  • Arntzen E.V., K.D. Hand, D.R. Geist, K.J. Murray, J. Panther, V.I. Cullinan, and E.M. Dawley, et al. 2008. Effects of Total Dissolved Gas on Chum Salmon Fry Incubating in the Lower Columbia River. PNNL-17132. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Effects of Total Dissolved Gas on Chum Salmon Fry Incubating in the Lower Columbia River
  • Geist D.R., C.J. Murray, T.P. Hanrahan, and Y. Xie. 2008. "A model of the effects of flow fluctuations on fall Chinook salmon spawning habitat availability in the Columbia River." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 28, no. 6:1894-1910. PNNL-SA-55022. doi:10.1577/M07-074.1
  • Geist D.R., E.V. Arntzen, C.J. Murray, K. McGrath, Y. Bott, and T.P. Hanrahan. 2008. "Influence of river level on temperature and hydraulic gradients in chum and fall Chinook salmon spawning areas downstream of Bonneville Dam, Columbia River." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 28, no. 1:30-41. PNNL-SA-53405.
  • Xie Y., C.J. Murray, T.P. Hanrahan, and D.R. Geist. 2008. "Data Mining on Large Data Set for Predicting Salmon Spawning Habitat." In Proceedings of The 2008 International Conference on Data Mining (DMIN'08), edited by R. Stahlbock, S. F. Crone and S. Lessmann, 1, 233-239. Athens, Nevada:CSREA Press. PNNL-SA-59284.

2007

  • Arntzen E.V., D.R. Geist, J.L. Panther, and E. Dawley. 2007. Total Dissolved Gas Monitoring in Chum Salmon Spawning Gravels Below Bonneville Dam. PNNL-16200. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Total Dissolved Gas Monitoring in Chum Salmon Spawning Gravels Below Bonneville Dam
  • DuPont J.M., R.S. Brown, and D.R. Geist. 2007. "Unique allacustrine migration patterns of a bull trout population in the Pend Oreille river drainage, Idaho." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 27, no. 4:1268-1275. PNWD-SA-7673. doi:10.1577/M06-137.1

2006

  • Arntzen E.V., D.R. Geist, and P.E. Dresel. 2006. "Effects of Fluctuating River flow on Groundwater/Surface Water Mixing in the Hyporheic Zone of a Regulated, Large Cobble Bed River." River Research and Applications 22, no. 8:937-946. PNNL-SA-46549. doi:10.1002/rra.947
  • Brown R.S., D.R. Geist, and M.G. Mesa. 2006. "Use of Electromyogram Telemetry to Assess Swimmng Activity of Adult Spring Chinook Salmon Migrating Past a Columbia River Dam." Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 135, no. 2:281-287. PNNL-SA-43071. doi:10.1577/T05-223.1
  • Brown R.S., D.R. Geist, K.A. Deters, and M.A. Grassel. 2006. "Effects of surgically implanted acoustic transmitters >2% of body mass on the swimming performance, survival, and growth of juvenile sockeye and Chinook salmon." Journal of Fish Biology 69, no. 6:1626-1638. PNWD-SA-7235. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2006.01227.x
  • Geist D.R., C.S. Abernethy, K.D. Hand, V.I. Cullinan, J.A. Chandler, and P. Groves. 2006. "Survival, development, and growth of fall Chinook salmon embryos, alevin, and fry exposed to variable thermal and dissolved oxygen regimes." Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 135, no. 6:1462-1477. PNWD-SA-7229.
  • Geist D.R., C.S. Abernethy, K.D. Hand, V.I. Cullinan, J.A. Chandler, and P. Groves. 2006. "Survival, development, and growth of Snake River fall Chinook salmon Embryos, Alevins, and Fry Exposed to Variable Thermal and Dissolved Oxygen Regimes." Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 135, no. 6:1462-1477. PNWD-SA-7223. doi:10.1577/T05-294.1
  • McGrath K.E., E. Dawley, and D.R. Geist. 2006. Total Dissolved Gas Effects on Fishes of the Lower Columbia River. PNNL-15525. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Total Dissolved Gas Effects on Fishes of the Lower Columbia River

2005

  • Geist D.R. 2005. Grays River Watershed Geomorphic Analysis. PNNL-16494. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Grays River Watershed Geomorphic Analysis
  • Geist D.R., R.S. Brown, V.I. Cullinan, S.R. Brink, K.B. Lepla, P. Bates, and J.A. Chandler. 2005. "Movement, swimming speed, and oxygen consumption of juvenile white sturgeon in response to changing flows, water temperatures, and light level in the Snake River, Idaho." Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 134, no. 4:803-816. PNWD-SA-6560.
  • Hanrahan T.P., D.R. Geist, and E.V. Arntzen. 2005. "Habitat quality of historic Snake River fall Chinook salmon spawning locations and implications for incubation survival: part 1, substrate quality." River Research and Applications 21, no. 5:455-467. PNWD-SA-6142.

2004

  • Anglea S.M., D.R. Geist, R.S. Brown, K.A. Deters, and R.D. Mcdonald. 2004. "Effects of Acoustic Transmitters on the Swimming Performance and Predator Avoidance of Juvenile Chinook Salmon." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 24, no. 1:162-170. PNWD-SA-5756.
  • Hanrahan T.P., D.D. Dauble, and D.R. Geist. 2004. "An estimate of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) spawning habitat and redd capacity upstream of a migration barrier in the upper Columbia River." Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 61, no. 1:23-33. PNWD-SA-5910.
  • Hanrahan T.P., D.R. Geist, E.V. Arntzen, and C.S. Abernethy. 2004. Effects of Hyporheic Exchange Flows on Egg Pocket Water Temperature in Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon Spawning Areas. PNNL-14850. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Effects of Hyporheic Exchange Flows on Egg Pocket Water Temperature in Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon Spawning Areas
  • Trudel M., D.R. Geist, and D.W. Welch. 2004. "Modeling the Oxygen Consumption Rates in Pacific Salmon and Steelhead: An Assessment of Current Models and Practices." Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 133, no. 2:326-348. PNNL-SA-41546.

2003

  • Dauble D.D., T.P. Hanrahan, D.R. Geist, and M.J. Parsley. 2003. "Impacts of the Columbia River Hydroelectric System on Mainstem Habitats of Fall Chinook Salmon." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 23, no. 3:641-659. PNWD-SA-5818.
  • Geist D.R., R.S. Brown, V.I. Cullinan, M.G. Mesa, S.P. VanderKooi, and C.A. McKinstry. 2003. "Relationships Between Metabolic Rate, Muscle Electromyograms and Swim Performance of Adult Chinook Salmon." Journal of Fish Biology 63, no. 4:970-989. PNNL-SA-37165.
  • Geist D.R., R.S. Brown, V.I. Cullinan, M.G. Mesa, S.P. VanderKooi, and C.A. McKinstry. 2003. "Relationships between metabolic rate, muscle electromyograms, and swim performance of adult chinook salmon." Journal of Fish Biology 63, no. 4:970-989. PNNL-SA-39189.
  • Moser D.P., J.K. Fredrickson, D.R. Geist, E.V. Arntzen, A.D. Peacock, S.W. Li, and C.M. Spadoni, et al. 2003. "Biogeochemical Processes and Microbial Characteristics Across Groundwater - Surface Water Boundaries of the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River." Environmental Science & Technology 37, no. 22:5127-5134. PNNL-SA-38690.

2002

2000

  • Dauble D.D., and D.R. Geist. 2000. "Comparison of Mainstem Spawning Habitats for Two Populations of Fall Chinook Salmon in the Columbia River Basin." Regulated Rivers, Research & Management 16, no. 4:345-361. PNNL-SA-35512.
  • Geist D.R. 2000. "Hyporheic discharge of river water into fall chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) spawning areas in the Hanford Reach, Columbia River." Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 57, no. 8:1647-1656. PNNL-SA-33076.
  • Geist D.R. 2000. "The interaction of ground water and surface water within fall chinook salmon spawning areas in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River." In Proceedings of the Ground-Water/Surface-Water Interactions Workshop, EPA/542/R-00/007, 95-98. Washington, District Of Columbia:US Environmental Protection Agency. PNNL-SA-31715.
  • Geist D.R., C.S. Abernethy, S.L. Blanton, and V.I. Cullinan. 2000. "The use of electromyogram telemetry to estimate energy expenditure of adult fall chinook salmon." Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 129, no. 1:126-135. PNNL-SA-27849.
  • Geist D.R., J. Jones, C.J. Murray, and D.D. Dauble. 2000. "Suitability criteria analyzed at the spatial scale of redd clusters improved estimates of fall chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) spawning habitat use in the Hanford Reach, Columbia River." Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 57, no. 8:1636-1646. PNNL-SA-33077.

1999

1998