John F. Griffith is a microbiologist who specializes in the development of methods for the detection and tracking of sources of fecal contamination in near-shore marine waters. He received undergraduate degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies, in 1995, and his Ph.D. in Marine Environmental Biology, in 2006, all from the University of Southern California. Dr. Griffith joined SCCWRP in September 2001. His present research efforts focus on bacterial source tracking, and the development of rapid indicators for the detection of human fecal contamination and pathogens in urban runoff and marine receiving waters.