The Monitoring & Assessment Branch provides long-term chemical contaminant data and information at national levels via its premier National Mussel Watch program. In addition, the branch provides contaminant bioeffect and water quality assessments at regional levels to satisfy stakeholder requests. As Branch chief, Arzayus provides leadership and guidance to improve the monitoring and assessment products delivered and advance the state of research in the field.
Arzayus comes to NCCOS from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Science & Technology where he served as a fisheries biologist leading the science portfolio planning and formulation group. In this capacity, Arzayus developed science strategies and proposed new research endeavors that better align and prepare NMFS to meet its science and management objectives. Prior to joining NMFS, Arzayus served as program manager and expedition coordinator for NOAA’s National Undersea Research and Ocean Exploration Programs and previous to that, Arzayus worked as a scientist and program coordinator for NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch. Arzayus is a graduate of NOAA’s Leadership Competencies Development Program (class IX), where he honed his leadership skills working with NOAA’s Chief Scientist and serving as acting deputy of the Chemical Sciences Division of OAR’s Environmental Science and Research Laboratories. Arzayus received his Masters in Marine Science from the College of William & Mary’s School of Marine Science/Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Gloucester Point, VA. There, he used a diverse set of molecular tools to study the effects of organic contaminants on the population structure of a common estuarine killifish.
Outside of NOAA, Arzayus enjoys endurance sports and sailing. He and his wife have three children and live in Laurel, MD.