James M. Birch, Ph.D.
Director of the SURF Center
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
7700 Sandholdt Road
Moss Landing, CA 95039
Phone: (831) 775-2062
Fax: (831) 775-1646
email: jbirch
I come to MBARI from the academic world where I used engineering approaches to understand biological systems. While at MBARI, I have had the pleasure of bridging science and engineering fields by shepherding the development of the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP). This position allows me to work with engineers and scientists in a uniquely collaborative way, in fields as diverse as molecular microbiology, robotics, engineering for ocean platforms, and marine operations. MBARI not only allows this type of collaboration, but encourages the merger of science and technology, something we continue to strive for with our instrument development programs.