Bio
He has spent the last 20 years working as an aquatic ecologist with multiple government agencies and is currently employed at Oak Ridge National Lab. Michael has travelled extensively throughout the Tennessee River Valley, where he has collected over 200 different species of freshwater fish. His primary responsibility is to collect, process, and ship biota samples to various labs for contaminant analysis. Michael also assists with fish collections for population and density surveys, collection of benthic macroinvertebrates, treatment of invasive plants, and to prepare summary statistics and reports for sponsors. In his free time, he enjoys travelling to the U.S. National Parks with his wife, Nikki.
Professional Experience
Highlights
2015 - Contributed to a BBC World: Horizons episode titled “Pollution Solutions” illustrating ongoing mercury research at Oak Ridge National Lab.
2019 - ROV Pilot training at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston, Texas.
2019 - One-on-one interactions with Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry during a visit to ORNL's Aquatic Ecology Lab. This included various hands-on displays of local fish.
2019 - Field technician in Nome, Alaska for the Next Generations Ecosystem Experiments (NGEE) Arctic Project.
2021 - Contributed to a CBS Mission Unstoppable episode "Testing Stream Systems for Toxins".
2022 - Crew lead for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Project. Locations in North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
2023 - Field technician in Chicago, Illinois for Biometric Recognition and Identification at Altitude and Range (BRIAR) project.
2023 - Field technician in Morgan City, Louisiana for Coastal Biogeochemical Redox Availability (CoBRA) project.
2023 - Field technician in Nome, Alaska, and designated team lead in Barrow, Alaska in support NGEE Arctic Project.
2023 - Field technician in Grand Rapids, Minnesota for Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments (SPRUCE) Project.
2024 - Field technician in College Station, Texas for BRIAR project.
2024 - Field technician in Morgan City, Louisiana for CoBRA project.
2024 - Field technician in Nome, Alaska for the NGEE Arctic Project.
2024 - Field technician in Grand Rapids, Minnesota for SPRUCE Project.
Awards
2021 - Best Professional Presentation –Tennessee Chapter American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting
“Using a Collaborative Approach for Sampling Striped Bass for PCB Analysis in a Deep Reservoir While Reducing By-Catch” M.W. Jones, R.T. Jett, W.K. Roy, T.J. Mathews, M.J. Peterson
2023 - Distinguished Achievement Award - Research Support Award- Environmental Sciences Division Citation : “For excellence in supporting field research operations across ESD with a constant focus on the safety and well-being of team members”
2024 - NGEE Arctic Foundational Support Award Citation : “For providing the technical support in the field, laboratory, and in virtual space that was instrumental to the success of Phase 3 of NGEE Arctic”
Education
2005 - Associate of Science degree in Biology from Roane State
2008 - Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Biology from Tennessee Tech
Professional Service
2007 - Present : Volunteer scuba diver at the Tennessee Aquarium
Professional Affiliations
2013 - Present : Member of American Fisheries Society
Other Publications
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, P.G. Matson, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, C.R. Derolph, Z.W. Clark. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2024 Calendar Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2025/3681. January 2025.
R.M. Pilla, N.A. Griffiths, C.H. Hansen, D. Turner, A.M. Fortner, R.T. Jett, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, J.R. Phillips. “Comparison of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimates from Six Hydropower Reservoirs using Modelling Versus Field Surveys”. Biogeochemistry. Revised November 2024.
P.J. Hanson, N.A. Griffiths, V.G. Salmon, J.M. Birkebak, J.R. Phillips, M.P. Guilliams, K.C. Oleheiser, J.M. Warren, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, J. Enterkine, N.F. Glenn, K.J. Pearson. “Peatland Plant Community Changes in Annual Production and Composition Through 8-Years of Warming Manipulations Under Ambient and Elevated CO2 ´ˇłŮłľ´Ç˛ő±čłó±đ°ů±đ˛ő”. Journal of Geophysical Research – Biogeosciences. Submitted October 2024.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, P.G. Matson, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones, C.R. Derolph, Z.W. Clark. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2024 Fiscal Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2024/3550. September 2024.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, J.M. Herold, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones, P. Ku, S.E. Darling, P.G. Matson, E.T. Carter, Z.W. Clark. "Operational and Performance Monitoring of East Tennessee Technology Park Ponds – 2024 Results” ORNL/TM-2024/3565. September 2024.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, L.M. Stevenson, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, P.G. Matson, C.R. Derolph. “Biological Assessment of ETTP Beaver Ponds in Support of the Sitewide Remaining Media Evaluation” ORNL/LTR-2024/3636. September 2024.
S.C. Brooks, T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, P.G. Matson, M.W. Jones, K.A. Lowe, N.J. Jones, Z.W. Clark. “Rogers Quarry Special Studies Report 2024” ORNL/SPR-2024/3551. September 2024
T. J. Mathews, N. A. Griffiths, R. T. Jett, N. J. Jones, L. M. Stevenson, P. G. Matson, C. R. DeRolph, M. W. Jones, P.E. Ku, T.A. Bordeau, Z.W. Clark. “Y-12 National Security Complex Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2023 Calendar Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2024/3416. July 2024.
R.M. Pilla, C.S. Faehndrich, A.M. Fortner, R.T. Jett, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, J.R. Phillips, C.H. Hansen, B. Iftikhar, H.I. Jager, P.G. Matson, N.A. Griffiths. “Shifts in Carbon Emissions Versus Sequestration From Hydropower Reservoirs in the Southeastern United States.” Journal of Geophysical Research : Biogeosciences. Published July 2024.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, P.G. Matson, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, C.R. Derolph, Z.W. Clark. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2023 Calendar Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2024/1. January 2024.
S.C. Brooks, T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, P.G. Matson, M.W. Jones, A.M. Fortner, K.A. Lowe, N.J. Jones. “Rogers Quarry Special Studies Report 2023” ORNL/SPR-2023/3058. September 2023.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, A.M. Fortner, N.A. Griffiths, J.M. Herold, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones, S.E. Darling, E.T. Carter, P. Ku. “Operational and Performance Monitoring of East Tennessee Technology Park Ponds – 2023 Results” ORNL/TM-2023/3035. September 2023.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, P.G. Matson, N.J. Jones, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones, C.R. Derolph. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2023 Fiscal Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2023/3059. September 2023.
T. J. Mathews, N. A. Griffiths, R. T. Jett, N. J. Jones, A. M. Fortner, L. M. Stevenson, P. G. Matson, C. R. DeRolph, M. W. Jones, P.E. Ku. “Y-12 National Security Complex Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2022 Calendar Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2023/2917. July 2023.
R.M. Pilla, C.S. Faehndrich, A.M. Fortner, R.T. Jett, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, J.R. Phillips, C.H. Hansen, B. Iftikhar, H.I. Jager, P.G. Matson, & N.A. Griffiths (2023). Data from: Rates and drivers of carbon emissions from hydropower reservoirs in the southeastern United States [Data set] Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences Submitted May 2023.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, P.G. Matson, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, C.R. Derolph. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2022 Calendar Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2022/2693. January 2023.
S.C. Brooks, T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, P.G. Matson, M.W. Jones, A.M. Fortner, K.A. Lowe, N.J. Jones. “Rogers Quarry Special Studies Report 2022” ORNL/SPR-2022/2515. September 2022.
L.M. Stevenson, P.G. Matson, M.W. Jones, R.T. Jett, N.J. Jones, K.A. Lowe, C.R. Derolph, T.J. Mathews. “Evaluation of PCBs in Fish From Indian Creek and the Blue River, DOE Kansas City Plant Studies – 2021 Update” ORNL/SPR-2022/2413. September 2022.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, A.M. Fortner, N.A. Griffiths, J.M. Herold, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones, S.E. Darling, E.T. Carter, P. Ku. “Operational and Performance Monitoring of East Tennessee Technology Park Ponds – 2022 Results” ORNL/TM-2022/2545. September 2022.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, P.G. Matson, N.J. Jones, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones, C.R. Derolph. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2022 Fiscal Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2022/2545. September 2022.
T. J. Mathews, N. A. Griffiths, R. T. Jett, N. J. Jones, A. M. Fortner, L. M. Stevenson, P. G. Matson, C. R. DeRolph, M. W. Jones. “Y-12 National Security Complex Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2021 Calendar Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2021/2383. July 2022.
P.G. Matson, L.M. Stevenson, R.A. Efromyson, R.T. Jett, M.W. Jones, M.J. Peterson, T.J. Mathews. “Variation in Natural Attenuation Rates of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Fish From Streams and Reservoirs in Eastern Tennessee Observed Over a 35-year Period” Journal of Hazardous Materials. Published June 2022.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, P.G. Matson, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, C.R. Derolph. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2021 Calendar Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2022/2423. January 2022.
M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, R.T. Jett, T.J. Mathews, K.A. Lowe, J. Baker. “Field Report for the Evaluation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Fish and SPMDs Near the US Department of Energy Kansas City Plant, Summer 2021.” ORNL/LTR-2021/2192. September 2021.
T.J. Mathews, P.G. Matson, L.M. Stevenson, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones, N.A. Griffiths. “Assessment of Containment Bioaccumulation in Aquatic Biota on and Adjacent to the Oak Ridge Reservation – 2020.” ORNL/TM-2021/1891. September 2021.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, P.G. Matson, N.J. Jones, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones, C.R. Derolph. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2021 Fiscal Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2021/2161. September 2021.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, J.M. Herold, A.M. Fortner, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones, S.E. Darling, E. Carter. “Operational and Performance Monitoring of East Tennessee Technology Park Ponds – 2021 Results” ORNL/TM-2021/2276. September 2021.
S.C. Brooks, T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, B.M. Pracheil, M.W. Jones, A.M. Fortner, K.A. Lowe. “Rogers Quarry Special Studies Report 2021” ORNL/SPR-2021/2163. September 2021.
P.G. Matson, L.M. Stevenson, N.A. Griffiths, C.R. Derolph, R.T. Jett, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, T.J. Mathews. “Multidecadal Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program Assessing Human Impacts on In-stream Aquatic Ecosystems Within the Oak Ridge Reservation in Eastern Tennessee, USA.” Hydrological Processes. Published August 2021.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, P.G. Matson, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, C.R. Derolph. East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2020 Calendar Year Report” ORNL/TM-2020/1887. January 2021
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, N.J. Jones, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones, C.R. Derolph, P.G. Matson. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2020 Fiscal Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2020/1578. September 2020.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, J.M. Herold, A.M. Fortner, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones, S.E. Darling, E. Carter. “Operational and Performance Monitoring of East Tennessee Technology Park Ponds – 2020 Results” ORNL/LTR-2020/32. September 2020.
B.M. Pracheil, S.C. Brooks, T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, M.W. Jones, A.M. Fortner, K.A. Lowe. “Rogers Quarry Special Studies Report 2020” ORNL/SPR-2020/1575. September 2020.
T.J. Mathews, N.A. Griffiths, R.T. Jett, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones, A.M. Fortner, L.M. Stevenson, P.G. Matson. “Y-12 National Security Complex Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2019 Calendar Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2020/1562. July 2020.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, C.R. Derolph, M.J. Peterson. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2019 Calendar Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2019/1412. January 2020.
Chu R K ; Goldman A E ; Brooks S C ; Danczak R E ; Garayburu-Caruso V A ; Graham E B ; Jones M ; Jones N ; Lin X ; Morad J W ; Ren H ; Renteria L ; Resch C T ; Tfaily M ; Tolic N ; Toyoda J G ; Wells J R ; Stegen J C: “WHONDRS 48 Hour Diel Cycling Study at the East Fork Poplar Creek in Tennessee, USA.” Worldwide Hydrobiogeochemistry Observation Network for Dynamic River Systems (WHONDRS). doi:10.15485/1577278. 2019.
T.J. Matthews, D.G. Mattie, G.W. Morris, A.M. Fortner, R.T. Jett, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, C.R. Derolph, M.J. Peterson. “91°µÍř Toxicity Identification/Reduction Evaluation for the Y-12 National Security Complex Outfall 200.” ORNL/TM-2019/1268. September 2019.
M.J. Peterson, T.J. Mathews, B.M. Pracheil, N.J. Jones, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones, N. Griffiths. “ORNL Progress Report for the TVA-Kingston Project, FY 2019” ORNL/LTR-2019/1224. September 2019.
M.J. Peterson, T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, B.M. Pracheil, S.C. Brooks, M.W. Jones, A.M. Fortner, K.A. Lowe. “Rogers Quarry Special Studies Report 2019” ORNL/SPR-2019/1099. September 2019.
T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, N.A. Griffiths, J.M Herold, A.M. Fortner, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones, B.J. Guge, S.E. Darling, E. Carter, E.E. Tobin, A.J. Turner, M.J. Peterson. “Operational and Performance Monitoring of East Tennessee Technology Park Ponds – 2019 Results” ORNL/LTR-2019/1079. September 2019.
M.J. Peterson, R.T. Jett, T.J. Mathews, M.W. Jones, A.M. Fortner, N.J. Jones. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program 2019 Fiscal Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2019/1244. September 2019.
M.J. Peterson, T.J. Mathews, R.A. McManamay, R.T. Jett, N.J. Jones, J.G. Morris, M.W. Jones, A.M. Fortner, G.W. Morris. “Y-12 National Security Complex Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2018 Calendar Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2019/1176. July 2019.
M.J. Peterson, R.T. Jett, T.J. Mathews, R.A. McManamay, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, J.G. Morris. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program, 2018 Calendar Year Report” ORNL/SPR-2019/1076. January 2019.
M.J. Peterson, M.W. Jones, R.T. Jett, N.J. Jones, C. Brandt, T.J. Mathews, C.R. Derolph. “Evaluation of PCBs in Fish from Indian Creek and the Blue River: DOE Kansas City Plant Studies – 2017 Update” ORNL /SPR-2019/1064. January 2019.
M.J. Peterson, T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, R.A. McManamay, J.M Herold, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones, S.E. Darling, E.E. Tobin. “Operational and Performance Monitoring of ETTP Ponds - 2018 Results.” ORNL/LTR-2018/911. September 2018.
S.C. Brooks, T.J. Mathews, M.J. Peterson, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones, K. A. Lowe, J.G. Morris, R.T. Jett. “Bear Creek Special Studies Report 2018.” ORNL/SPR-2018/909. September 2018.
M.J. Peterson, T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, B.M. Pracheil, S.C. Brooks, K.A. Lowe, A.M. Fortner, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones. “Rogers Quarry Special Studies Report.” ORNL/SPR-2018/904. September 2018.
M.J. Peterson, T.J. Mathews, B.M. Pracheil, R.A. McManamay, J.G. Smith, M.S. Greeley, A.M. Fortner, G.W. Morris, M.W. Jones, R.T. Jett, C. Brandt, N.J. Jones. “2018 ORNL Progress Report for the TVA-Kingston Project.” ORNL/SPR-2018/902. September 2018.
J.G. Smith, T.J. Mathews, M. J. Peterson, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones, C.L. Standish. “Biouptake of Mercury by Lower East Fork Poplar Creek Floodplain Invertebrates.” ORNL/TM-2018/928. September 2018.
M.J. Peterson, T.J. Mathews, R.A. McManamay, R.T. Jett, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones, A.M. Fortner, G.W. Morris. Y-12 National Security Complex Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2017 Calendar Year Report. ORNL/SPR-2018/886. July 2018.
M.J. Peterson, et. al. Mercury Remediation Technology Development for Lower East Fork Poplar Creek – 2017 Progress Report. ORNL/TM-2017/480. July 2018.
M.J. Peterson, R.T. Jett, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones, M. Stites. “Field Report for the Evaluation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Fish and SPMDs Near the US Department of Energy Kansas City Plant, Summer 2017.” ORNL/LTR-2017/475. September 2017.
M.J. Peterson, R.T. Jett, T.J. Mathews, M.W. Jones, A.M. Fortner, R.A. McManamay, N.J. Jones. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program 2017 Fiscal Year Report.” ORNL/SR-2017/481. September 2017.
M.J. Peterson, S.C. Brooks, T.J. Mathews, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones, K.A. Lowe, J. McCurdy, J.G. Morris, R.T. Jett. “Bear Creek Special Studies Report 2017.” ORNL/SPR-2017/516. September 2017.
M.J. Peterson, T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, B.M. Pracheil, S.C. Brooks, M.S. Greeley, M.W. Jones. “Rogers Quarry Special Studies Report 2017.” ORNL/SPR-2017/517. September 2017.
M.J. Peterson, T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, J.M Herold, W.K. Roy, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones. “Operational and Performance Monitoring of the K-1007-P1 Pond Summary of FY 2017 Results.” ORNL/LTR-2017/477. September 2017.
M.J. Peterson, M.S. Greeley, T.J. Mathews, B.M. Pracheil, J.G. Smith, R.A. McManamay, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones, C.Brandt, N.J. Jones. “2017 ORNL Progress Report for the TVA-Kingston Project.” ORNL/SPR-2017/488. September 2017.
M.J. Peterson, R.T. Jett, T.J. Mathews, R.A. McManamay, J.G. Smith, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones, N.J. Jones. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2016 Calendar Year Report.” ORNL/SR-2017/62. January 2017.
M.J. Peterson, R.T. Jett, T.J. Mathews, M.W. Jones, A.M. Fortner, J.G. Smith, G.W. Morris, W.K. Roy. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program 2016 Fiscal Year Report.” ORNL/SR-2016/506. September 2016.
M.J. Peterson, J.G. Smith, T.J. Mathews, R.T. Jett, W.K. Roy, M.W. Jones, A.M. Fortner. “Operational and Performance Monitoring of the K-1007-P1 Pond Summary of FY 2016 Results.” ORNL/SR-2016/505. September 2016.
M.J. Peterson, M.S. Greeley, R.T. Jett, T.J. Mathews, J.G. Smith, A.M. Fortner, M.W. Jones. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program – 2015 Calendar Year Report.” ORNL/SPR-2016. January 2016.
J.G. Smith, T.J. Mathews, M.J. Peterson, N.J. Jones, M.W. Jones. “Assessment of Contaminant Bioaccumulation in Aquatic Biota on and Adjacent to the Oak Ridge Reservation – 2015.” ORNL/TM-2016/133. March 2016.
M.J. Peterson, G. R. Southworth, M.W. Jones, M. E. Stites. “Food chain accumulation of PCBs and dioxin-like biphenyls in an urban stream.” ORNL Summary Report. August 2015.
M.J. Peterson, M.S. Greeley, R.T. Jett, T.J. Mathews, A. M. Fortner, M.W. Jones. “East Tennessee Technology Park Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program - 2014 Calendar Year Report.” ORNL/SPR-2015/43. January 2015.
M.J. Peterson, S.C. Brooks, T.J. Mathews, M. Mayes, A. Johs, J.H. Kidder, D.B. Watson, M.D. Poteat, M.W. Jones, J.G. Morris, E. Pierce. “Mercury Remediation Technology Development for East Fork Poplar Creek—FY 2014 Progress Report.” ORNL/LTR-2014/504. September 2014.