Experience

Trent University

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Biology Lab Demonstrator & Technician

  • Aug 2016 - Present

  - Organize and set up Biology labs - Order and manage supplies for Biology department - Manage Biology department budget - Organize and set up Biology labs - Order and manage supplies for Biology department - Manage Biology department budget



Ministry of Natural Resources

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Wildlife Research Technician

  • Oct 2015 - Jul 2016

  Lead of post-mortem wildlife rabies preliminary dignostic lab and wildlife rabies surveillance program. Lead of post-mortem wildlife rabies preliminary dignostic lab and wildlife rabies surveillance program.



Eco-Kare International

• Peterborough, Ontario

• Data Management and Research Assistant

  • Feb 2015 - Oct 2015

  Edit reports, compile, organize, and summarize data. Conduct on-road surveys for wildlife, and related surveys with motorists. Edit reports, compile, organize, and summarize data. Conduct on-road surveys for wildlife, and related surveys with motorists.



Peterborough Field Naturalists

• Secretary and Board member

  • Feb 2012 - Jan 2015

  • member of the Research Action Committee • on steering committee for Centre for Urban Ecology • member of the Research Action Committee • on steering committee for Centre for Urban Ecology



Trent University, Acadia University, and EcoKare International

• Peterborough, Ontario

• Independent contractor

  • 2012 - Jan 2015

  • performed data management and support for road ecology consultant on provincial wildlife mitigation strategy and other large projects • conducted road-based turtle surveys to provide data for a road ecology report to the Ministry of Transportation • banded provincially Threatened Bobolinks during breeding season in agricultural fields • statistically analyzed weather data, created report based on analyses • performed data management and support for road ecology consultant on provincial wildlife mitigation strategy and other large projects • conducted road-based turtle surveys to provide data for a road ecology report to the Ministry of Transportation • banded provincially Threatened Bobolinks during breeding season in agricultural fields • statistically analyzed weather data, created report based on analyses



University of New Brunswick

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Graduate Student

  • Sep 2007 - Mar 2012

  • planned and managed thesis research; included prioritizing tasks such as sample preparation and scientific literature review while also teaching and completing coursework • wrote two successful funding proposals, provided research reports for each • conducted field research and monitoring of Arctic terns (see "Field Researcher" with Environment Canada, below) • organized roughly 400 samples and four summers of field-collected data in self-designed spreadsheets; new project co-leader… Show more • planned and managed thesis research; included prioritizing tasks such as sample preparation and scientific literature review while also teaching and completing coursework • wrote two successful funding proposals, provided research reports for each • conducted field research and monitoring of Arctic terns (see "Field Researcher" with Environment Canada, below) • organized roughly 400 samples and four summers of field-collected data in self-designed spreadsheets; new project co-leader has commented on the high-quality of data organization • prepared 400+ biological samples for stable isotope analyses; included chemical-based lipid-extraction, cleaning, drying, grinding, and weighing small quantities of sample (0.20mg) • sorted invertebrates (<1 - 5mm) into functional groups under a microscope • conducted extensive data analyses using statistical programs SigmaPlot and R • worked with minimal supervision while writing multiple-chapter thesis • presented results of scientific research in oral and poster formats to various audiences

• Teaching Assistant

  • Sep 2007 - Apr 2010

  Engaged students while teaching biological concepts and identification skills in weekly labs for 10 course sections over 6 semesters in courses ranging from first year Biology to fourth year Ornithology



Environment and Climate Change Canada

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Field Researcher and Field Station Manager

  • Jun 2007 - Aug 2010

  • aided in construction and set-up of new field camp on a remote island in High Arctic Nunavut • team co-leader for three summer field seasons; included coordinating multiple members of research team (some volunteers) to ensure research and long-term monitoring was completed effectively, maintaining safety of research team in polar bear country, organizing first several flights into field site for camp set-up, and planning and assisting with seasonal closing of camp • initiated, designed… Show more • aided in construction and set-up of new field camp on a remote island in High Arctic Nunavut • team co-leader for three summer field seasons; included coordinating multiple members of research team (some volunteers) to ensure research and long-term monitoring was completed effectively, maintaining safety of research team in polar bear country, organizing first several flights into field site for camp set-up, and planning and assisting with seasonal closing of camp • initiated, designed and delineated a long-term monitoring plot for breeding Arctic terns • co-wrote scientific protocol for long-term monitoring of ground-nesting Arctic seabirds; this protocol is now being adapted for use at other field sites • conducted extensive fieldwork in wide-ranging weather conditions using an array of biological field equipment to capture and band birds, attach geolocators, collect blood samples, collect marine and terrestrial invertebrate specimens, conduct time-budget watches, monitor breeding phenology of birds, and live-trap and release small mammals; included work in the habitat of and with a species at risk • provided briefing notes about a species at risk for reports to a stakeholder wishing to respond to recovery plans for this species • flew in fixed-wing planes and helicopters for access to field site and for research purposes; organized all equipment and gear for initial flights into remote field site • provided another research groups with band information from birds foraging on-island Show less • aided in construction and set-up of new field camp on a remote island in High Arctic Nunavut • team co-leader for three summer field seasons; included coordinating multiple members of research team (some volunteers) to ensure research and long-term monitoring was completed effectively, maintaining safety of research team in polar bear country, organizing first several flights into field site for camp set-up, and planning and assisting with seasonal closing of camp • initiated, designed… Show more • aided in construction and set-up of new field camp on a remote island in High Arctic Nunavut • team co-leader for three summer field seasons; included coordinating multiple members of research team (some volunteers) to ensure research and long-term monitoring was completed effectively, maintaining safety of research team in polar bear country, organizing first several flights into field site for camp set-up, and planning and assisting with seasonal closing of camp • initiated, designed and delineated a long-term monitoring plot for breeding Arctic terns • co-wrote scientific protocol for long-term monitoring of ground-nesting Arctic seabirds; this protocol is now being adapted for use at other field sites • conducted extensive fieldwork in wide-ranging weather conditions using an array of biological field equipment to capture and band birds, attach geolocators, collect blood samples, collect marine and terrestrial invertebrate specimens, conduct time-budget watches, monitor breeding phenology of birds, and live-trap and release small mammals; included work in the habitat of and with a species at risk • provided briefing notes about a species at risk for reports to a stakeholder wishing to respond to recovery plans for this species • flew in fixed-wing planes and helicopters for access to field site and for research purposes; organized all equipment and gear for initial flights into remote field site • provided another research groups with band information from birds foraging on-island Show less



Let's Talk Science | Parlons sciences

• Canada
• Education Administration Programs
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Science Outreach Volunteer

  • Sep 2008 - May 2010

  • created and presented several scientific outreach programs at public events, in high school classrooms, and at the All-Science Challenge inter-school competition for middle school students • awarded "Top Volunteer" at the University of New Brunswick chapter in two consecutive years • created and presented several scientific outreach programs at public events, in high school classrooms, and at the All-Science Challenge inter-school competition for middle school students • awarded "Top Volunteer" at the University of New Brunswick chapter in two consecutive years



Duke University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Field Technician

  • Apr 2007 - Jun 2007

  Studied the population ecology of the endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow: • located and target-banded males and females using mist-nets and playback recordings in plots and in an area around a remote fly-in camp • read colour bands of previously banded individuals, searched for nests and banded nestlings • conducted adaptive transects to locate outlier sparrows in remote regions of the park • trained as a Helicopter Crewmember (S-271 Helicopter training) and conducted frequent… Show more Studied the population ecology of the endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow: • located and target-banded males and females using mist-nets and playback recordings in plots and in an area around a remote fly-in camp • read colour bands of previously banded individuals, searched for nests and banded nestlings • conducted adaptive transects to locate outlier sparrows in remote regions of the park • trained as a Helicopter Crewmember (S-271 Helicopter training) and conducted frequent helicopter loading, unloading, and flights to effectively complete research Show less Studied the population ecology of the endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow: • located and target-banded males and females using mist-nets and playback recordings in plots and in an area around a remote fly-in camp • read colour bands of previously banded individuals, searched for nests and banded nestlings • conducted adaptive transects to locate outlier sparrows in remote regions of the park • trained as a Helicopter Crewmember (S-271 Helicopter training) and conducted frequent… Show more Studied the population ecology of the endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow: • located and target-banded males and females using mist-nets and playback recordings in plots and in an area around a remote fly-in camp • read colour bands of previously banded individuals, searched for nests and banded nestlings • conducted adaptive transects to locate outlier sparrows in remote regions of the park • trained as a Helicopter Crewmember (S-271 Helicopter training) and conducted frequent helicopter loading, unloading, and flights to effectively complete research Show less



U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Field Researcher

  • Sep 2006 - Jan 2007

  Continued seabird reproductive success and monitoring studies: • led island-wide Wedge-tailed shearwater chick banding • monitored Laysan and Black-footed albatross reproductive success plots • conducted island-wide albatross band reading and banding • aided with Red-tailed tropicbird, Red-footed booby and Black noddy plot monitoring and banding • performed general field station maintenance

• Shorebird field assistant

  • Jun 2006 - Sep 2006

  Studied the breeding ecology of shorebirds: • searched for nests, followed nest chronology • banded, measured, and collected blood samples from adults and banded and collected blood samples from newly-hatched chicks Also studied stress levels and fattening rates of post-breeding shorebirds: • banded, measured, attached radio transmitters to, and collected blood samples from post-breeding shorebirds on their staging grounds • conducted radiotelemetry, resighted colour-banded… Show more Studied the breeding ecology of shorebirds: • searched for nests, followed nest chronology • banded, measured, and collected blood samples from adults and banded and collected blood samples from newly-hatched chicks Also studied stress levels and fattening rates of post-breeding shorebirds: • banded, measured, attached radio transmitters to, and collected blood samples from post-breeding shorebirds on their staging grounds • conducted radiotelemetry, resighted colour-banded birds • conducted transect surveys using distance sampling methods



Duke University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Field Technician

  • Apr 2006 - Jun 2006

  Studied the population ecology of the endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow; same position as in 2007 Studied the population ecology of the endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow; same position as in 2007



Ecostudies Institute

• Everglades National Park, Florida

• Field assistant

  • Jan 2006 - Apr 2006

  Investigated avian habitat relationships and the effect of fire in pineland bird communities and population dynamics of reintroduced Brown-headed Nuthatches, Eastern Bluebirds, and Wild Turkeys: • conducted radiotelemetry of Wild Turkeys • conducted 11m-radius vegetation surveys in pine rockland and cypress swamp habitats • set up and checked infrared cameras to monitor Wild Turkeys Investigated avian habitat relationships and the effect of fire in pineland bird communities and population dynamics of reintroduced Brown-headed Nuthatches, Eastern Bluebirds, and Wild Turkeys: • conducted radiotelemetry of Wild Turkeys • conducted 11m-radius vegetation surveys in pine rockland and cypress swamp habitats • set up and checked infrared cameras to monitor Wild Turkeys



U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Field Researcher

  • Jul 2005 - Sep 2005

  Conducted annual monitoring and productivity project on Common and Thick-billed murres, Black-legged kittiwakes, Tufted puffins and Fork-tailed storm-petrels: • observed colonies of murres and kittiwakes for extended periods using a scope and binoculars to ascertain presence of eggs and chicks • conducted systematic searches of plots for active burrows of puffins and storm-petrels, extracted chicks from burrows for measurement • screened puffin burrows for diet samples • conducted… Show more Conducted annual monitoring and productivity project on Common and Thick-billed murres, Black-legged kittiwakes, Tufted puffins and Fork-tailed storm-petrels: • observed colonies of murres and kittiwakes for extended periods using a scope and binoculars to ascertain presence of eggs and chicks • conducted systematic searches of plots for active burrows of puffins and storm-petrels, extracted chicks from burrows for measurement • screened puffin burrows for diet samples • conducted counts of Horned and Tufted puffins in established plots around the island Show less Conducted annual monitoring and productivity project on Common and Thick-billed murres, Black-legged kittiwakes, Tufted puffins and Fork-tailed storm-petrels: • observed colonies of murres and kittiwakes for extended periods using a scope and binoculars to ascertain presence of eggs and chicks • conducted systematic searches of plots for active burrows of puffins and storm-petrels, extracted chicks from burrows for measurement • screened puffin burrows for diet samples • conducted… Show more Conducted annual monitoring and productivity project on Common and Thick-billed murres, Black-legged kittiwakes, Tufted puffins and Fork-tailed storm-petrels: • observed colonies of murres and kittiwakes for extended periods using a scope and binoculars to ascertain presence of eggs and chicks • conducted systematic searches of plots for active burrows of puffins and storm-petrels, extracted chicks from burrows for measurement • screened puffin burrows for diet samples • conducted counts of Horned and Tufted puffins in established plots around the island Show less



University of Tennessee

• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Forest bird field technician

  • Apr 2005 - Jul 2005

  Studied home range and breeding ecology of Cerulean warblers: • delineated research plots and spot mapping routes using compass lines • searched for nests of Cerulean warblers using parental behaviour • monitored nests regularly • conducted point counts and spot maps to create territory maps for all bird species within the 20-hectare research plots • target-banded Cerulean warbler males • set up video surveillance on nests • measured vegetation characteristics of nest sites… Show more Studied home range and breeding ecology of Cerulean warblers: • delineated research plots and spot mapping routes using compass lines • searched for nests of Cerulean warblers using parental behaviour • monitored nests regularly • conducted point counts and spot maps to create territory maps for all bird species within the 20-hectare research plots • target-banded Cerulean warbler males • set up video surveillance on nests • measured vegetation characteristics of nest sites and at random points using fixed radius plots • plotted information in GIS Show less Studied home range and breeding ecology of Cerulean warblers: • delineated research plots and spot mapping routes using compass lines • searched for nests of Cerulean warblers using parental behaviour • monitored nests regularly • conducted point counts and spot maps to create territory maps for all bird species within the 20-hectare research plots • target-banded Cerulean warbler males • set up video surveillance on nests • measured vegetation characteristics of nest sites… Show more Studied home range and breeding ecology of Cerulean warblers: • delineated research plots and spot mapping routes using compass lines • searched for nests of Cerulean warblers using parental behaviour • monitored nests regularly • conducted point counts and spot maps to create territory maps for all bird species within the 20-hectare research plots • target-banded Cerulean warbler males • set up video surveillance on nests • measured vegetation characteristics of nest sites and at random points using fixed radius plots • plotted information in GIS Show less



Point Blue Conservation Science

• United States
• Research
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Southeast Farallon Island Intern

  • Dec 2004 - Mar 2005

  Conducted monitoring as part of the Northern elephant seal demography project: • observed Northern Elephant Seal behaviour • identified each seal daily to ascertain breeding phenology • tagged and stamped new seals with flipper tags and hair dye respectively • performed pup necropsies when necessary • weighed or girthed all weaned pups • conducted ground counts of all pinnipeds island-wide once a week • conducted shorebird and Brown Pelican censuses • banded Common… Show more Conducted monitoring as part of the Northern elephant seal demography project: • observed Northern Elephant Seal behaviour • identified each seal daily to ascertain breeding phenology • tagged and stamped new seals with flipper tags and hair dye respectively • performed pup necropsies when necessary • weighed or girthed all weaned pups • conducted ground counts of all pinnipeds island-wide once a week • conducted shorebird and Brown Pelican censuses • banded Common murres on the colony, and resighted Common murre colour bands • monitored number and species of all non-breeding birds on the island, as well as weather and oceanic conditions daily Show less Conducted monitoring as part of the Northern elephant seal demography project: • observed Northern Elephant Seal behaviour • identified each seal daily to ascertain breeding phenology • tagged and stamped new seals with flipper tags and hair dye respectively • performed pup necropsies when necessary • weighed or girthed all weaned pups • conducted ground counts of all pinnipeds island-wide once a week • conducted shorebird and Brown Pelican censuses • banded Common… Show more Conducted monitoring as part of the Northern elephant seal demography project: • observed Northern Elephant Seal behaviour • identified each seal daily to ascertain breeding phenology • tagged and stamped new seals with flipper tags and hair dye respectively • performed pup necropsies when necessary • weighed or girthed all weaned pups • conducted ground counts of all pinnipeds island-wide once a week • conducted shorebird and Brown Pelican censuses • banded Common murres on the colony, and resighted Common murre colour bands • monitored number and species of all non-breeding birds on the island, as well as weather and oceanic conditions daily Show less



Bird Studies Canada

• Long Point Bird Observatory, Ontario

• Field assistant

  • Oct 2004 - Nov 2004

  • conducted daily morning mist-netting sessions for passerines and hawks • mist-netted at night for owls, and became part of history during the night that saw the most Saw-whet owls banded at any North American banding station in one night (130)! • extracted and banded passerines and owls • recorded all birds seen daily • conducted daily morning mist-netting sessions for passerines and hawks • mist-netted at night for owls, and became part of history during the night that saw the most Saw-whet owls banded at any North American banding station in one night (130)! • extracted and banded passerines and owls • recorded all birds seen daily



Point Blue Conservation Science

• United States
• Research
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Research Assistant

  • May 2004 - Sep 2004

  Part of the Saddle Rock Leach’s storm-petrel project: • accessed small island colony through a combination of hiking, swimming, and climbing up steep cliffs • conducted nocturnal mist-netting, banding and diet sampling of Leach’s storm-petrels (approximately 200 birds/night) on the island • conducted burrow occupancy counts on the island, and predation surveys on the mainland Also monitored breeding chronology and reproductive success of Common murres, Pelagic cormorants and… Show more Part of the Saddle Rock Leach’s storm-petrel project: • accessed small island colony through a combination of hiking, swimming, and climbing up steep cliffs • conducted nocturnal mist-netting, banding and diet sampling of Leach’s storm-petrels (approximately 200 birds/night) on the island • conducted burrow occupancy counts on the island, and predation surveys on the mainland Also monitored breeding chronology and reproductive success of Common murres, Pelagic cormorants and Brant’s cormorants on Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge: • conducted weekly mainland-based censuses through a high-powered scope Show less Part of the Saddle Rock Leach’s storm-petrel project: • accessed small island colony through a combination of hiking, swimming, and climbing up steep cliffs • conducted nocturnal mist-netting, banding and diet sampling of Leach’s storm-petrels (approximately 200 birds/night) on the island • conducted burrow occupancy counts on the island, and predation surveys on the mainland Also monitored breeding chronology and reproductive success of Common murres, Pelagic cormorants and… Show more Part of the Saddle Rock Leach’s storm-petrel project: • accessed small island colony through a combination of hiking, swimming, and climbing up steep cliffs • conducted nocturnal mist-netting, banding and diet sampling of Leach’s storm-petrels (approximately 200 birds/night) on the island • conducted burrow occupancy counts on the island, and predation surveys on the mainland Also monitored breeding chronology and reproductive success of Common murres, Pelagic cormorants and Brant’s cormorants on Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge: • conducted weekly mainland-based censuses through a high-powered scope Show less



Ministry of Natural Resources

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Species at Risk Data Support Biologist and Botanist/Herpetologist Intern

  • Apr 2002 - May 2004

  • updated and maintained rare species records of plants and herpetofauna in Ontario, ensuring it was accurate and relevant to the species at risk it pertained to; handled requests for information about these data • collaborated with other professionals as an active member of Eastern Foxsnake and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake Recovery Team: took initiative to provide team with GIS-based maps of data for these species at risk to aid in visualizing data gaps, maintained knowledge of relevant… Show more • updated and maintained rare species records of plants and herpetofauna in Ontario, ensuring it was accurate and relevant to the species at risk it pertained to; handled requests for information about these data • collaborated with other professionals as an active member of Eastern Foxsnake and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake Recovery Team: took initiative to provide team with GIS-based maps of data for these species at risk to aid in visualizing data gaps, maintained knowledge of relevant legislation pertaining to species at risk and resource management planning to best participate in creating the recovery strategy • co-wrote species reports for the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO), and an addendum to an updated report for the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) • organized data sensitivity training sessions for those who wished to obtain detailed access to species locations held within the NHIC databases • co-lead and field researcher on Species at Risk Turtle Surveys in Central Ontario; used boats in course of field work • helped in creating communication products for the NHIC • engaged public while representing NHIC at public events • trained in Ontario Ecological Land Classification and Ontario Wetland Evaluations • attended Natural Heritage Methodology Training with NatureServe Show less • updated and maintained rare species records of plants and herpetofauna in Ontario, ensuring it was accurate and relevant to the species at risk it pertained to; handled requests for information about these data • collaborated with other professionals as an active member of Eastern Foxsnake and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake Recovery Team: took initiative to provide team with GIS-based maps of data for these species at risk to aid in visualizing data gaps, maintained knowledge of relevant… Show more • updated and maintained rare species records of plants and herpetofauna in Ontario, ensuring it was accurate and relevant to the species at risk it pertained to; handled requests for information about these data • collaborated with other professionals as an active member of Eastern Foxsnake and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake Recovery Team: took initiative to provide team with GIS-based maps of data for these species at risk to aid in visualizing data gaps, maintained knowledge of relevant legislation pertaining to species at risk and resource management planning to best participate in creating the recovery strategy • co-wrote species reports for the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO), and an addendum to an updated report for the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) • organized data sensitivity training sessions for those who wished to obtain detailed access to species locations held within the NHIC databases • co-lead and field researcher on Species at Risk Turtle Surveys in Central Ontario; used boats in course of field work • helped in creating communication products for the NHIC • engaged public while representing NHIC at public events • trained in Ontario Ecological Land Classification and Ontario Wetland Evaluations • attended Natural Heritage Methodology Training with NatureServe Show less



University of Guelph

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Field assistant

  • Sep 2000 - Dec 2000

  Studied the behaviour and nest-site selection preferences of Atlantic salmon in response to the presence of exotic salmonids in both forced interactions in-stream and in the wild: • involved in experimental design and set-up of in-stream enclosures • tagged salmon in fishery • aided in transport and release of salmon, conducted behavioural observations, in-stream random and nest substrate sampling, sampled in-stream characteristics • aided MNR staff with electrofishing to collect… Show more Studied the behaviour and nest-site selection preferences of Atlantic salmon in response to the presence of exotic salmonids in both forced interactions in-stream and in the wild: • involved in experimental design and set-up of in-stream enclosures • tagged salmon in fishery • aided in transport and release of salmon, conducted behavioural observations, in-stream random and nest substrate sampling, sampled in-stream characteristics • aided MNR staff with electrofishing to collect eggs from non-native salmonids Show less Studied the behaviour and nest-site selection preferences of Atlantic salmon in response to the presence of exotic salmonids in both forced interactions in-stream and in the wild: • involved in experimental design and set-up of in-stream enclosures • tagged salmon in fishery • aided in transport and release of salmon, conducted behavioural observations, in-stream random and nest substrate sampling, sampled in-stream characteristics • aided MNR staff with electrofishing to collect… Show more Studied the behaviour and nest-site selection preferences of Atlantic salmon in response to the presence of exotic salmonids in both forced interactions in-stream and in the wild: • involved in experimental design and set-up of in-stream enclosures • tagged salmon in fishery • aided in transport and release of salmon, conducted behavioural observations, in-stream random and nest substrate sampling, sampled in-stream characteristics • aided MNR staff with electrofishing to collect eggs from non-native salmonids Show less