Managing Consultant

• Jan 2023 - Present

Consulting Scientist

• Oct 2021 - Present

Staff Scientist III

• Apr 2018 - Oct 2021

I was responsible for producing multiple field study and modeling projects that generate data essential to clients during the crop protection chemical registration process at state, national, international levels. Specialized in leading the development of meteorological monitoring systems, workflow automation, and data management. Major accomplishments include creating a sample management system for GLP field studies, increasing the data capture and data quality of long-term environmental monitoring systems, and authoring several software packages for data analysis and quality control. Show less

Air Quality Analyst

• May 2015 - Apr 2018

I provided analysis and project management support for RSG's air quality permitting and compliance group, which focuses on stationary and mobile air pollution sources. Much of my work included dispersion modeling of criteria pollutant emissions along with preparing air permit applications and conducting emission control studies for a variety of institutional, commercial, and industrial clients using fossil and renewable fuels. I also provided analysis and support for RSG's transportation planning and engineering group. This work included the development of regional and statewide transportation plans, corridor and area-wide studies, regional travel modeling, feasibility and scoping studies, strategic planning, financial strategies, and safety analyses. Show less

Environmental Technician II

• Feb 2011 - May 2015

Provided technical support for the State of Vermont's Air Quality and Climate Division implementing the state-wide air quality monitoring program. Much of this work involved travel to remote and distant field sites, handling hazardous materials, calibration and management of sampling instruments, and regular audits and analysis of collected data. The majority of my time was spent working independently in field or lab settings. Technical writing and research was a smaller, but also significant, component of my work. This involved writing standard operating procedures, quality assurance plans, and researching changing sampling methods and instrumentation. During my employment annual data capture for these sites remained excellent (95-100%) despite a catastrophic flood event disrupting the functions of our sites and headquarters in 2011. Show less

Field Ecologist

• 2010 - 2010

Conducted long-term vegetation sampling and restoration monitoring at the Boardman Grasslands Conservation Area. Assessed the effects of large-scale herbicide treatments on invasive annual grasses and forbs and monitored results of efforts to restore perrennial grass and forb populations in highly degraded former rangeland. Used GIS/GPS for assessment and mapping of grassland areas for the ongoing development of an invasive weed removal program. Despite often strenuous working conditions I completed all assigned monitoring sites plus two additional long-term sampling programs that had been previously postponed due to lack of time in the field season. Authored four papers for the TNC Oregon chapter's annual report. Show less

Graduate Teaching Assistant

• Jan 2008 - Dec 2008

Taught beginning through intermediate laboratory sections of undergraduate-level courses in ecology & evolution, plant & animal physiology, microbiology, and introductory biology. Duties included presentation of course topics via lectures and demonstration of lab procedures, administering exams, student evaluation and counseling, and curriculum development.

Graduate Research Assistant

• Aug 2006 - May 2008

Developed a long-term research program in the plant-insect ecology of semi-arid pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) forests and woodlands that investigated relationships between climate-change related phenomena such as severe drought, extreme temperatures, and associated pinyon pine mortality due to bark beetle predation. Also maintained six long-term ecological monitoring stations along an elevation gradient throughout central New Mexico that gather data on over 30 continuous and periodic sampling parameters with 90-100% data capture. Key roles were in site selection, vegetation and habitat/wetlands delineation, spatial modeling, and integration of data collection and data analysis. Designed and implemented field sampling protocols for soil and vegetation studies including biomass distribution, species cover/density, and carbon cycling. Also trained, lead, and managed a crew of research assistants during the summer of 2007. Show less

Ecological Research Intern

• May 2005 - Aug 2005

Worked as a crew member in a statewide vegetation survey of Massachusetts forests for the National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. Collected and analyzed vegetion and soils data for a research project examining the landscape-scale effects of forest harvesting and forest conversion on plant biodiversity and invasive plant species spread in western Massachusetts. Work was done often with a field partner independent of a lab supervisor. Completed sampling in over 60 sites with a 200m site radius at both low and high resolution, often including a granular survey of both tree seedling recruitment and invasive plant species. Presented an independent research project on the regeneration of white pine (Pinus strobus) after canopy tree removal to Harvard Forest faculty and research staff. Show less

Undergraduate Research Assistant

• Sep 2003 - Jun 2005

Conducted original research and assisted in ongoing long-term research projects as a research assistant. Duties included wetlands delineation, vegetation and wildlife habitat classification, GIS mapping and analysis, and data analysis. 2003-04:Continued ongoing monitoring of diversity of aquatic invertebrates, fish community assemblages, and vegetation in a network of streams, ponds, and marshes in Bennington County, Vermont. Work focused on wetland delineation and comparison of macro-invertebrate populations between wetlands of varying disturbance regimes. 2004:Conducted original research in an old-growth northern hardwoods forest on the impact of intermediate disturbance to forest canopy on the regeneration and diversity of vegetation. Also included an independent field study of seedling recruitment and forest understory topography. 2005: Designed and implemented a program monitoring the reproductive behavioral ecology of a local population of red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus). Independently monitored over 20 individual males and their nesting pairs over a period of two months. Show less

Research Intern

• Jan 2005 - Feb 2005

Attended courses and conducted research in arid-lands ecology during a two-month collaborative internship between Bennington College and the University of Arizona. Duties included conducting original student-led research in arid-lands ecosystems ranging from ephemeral wetlands, riparian forests, desert shrublands and scrublands, to upland grasslands and forests. My work focused on the effects of livestock grazing, fire frequency, and invasive grass species encroachment on the regeneration and growth dynamics of the woody desert shrub ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens). Show less

Conservation Crew Leader

• Jun 2003 - Aug 2004

Led conservation work crews in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains and the Lake Michigan Shoreline for two consecutive summers. Projects included vegetation restoration, invasive species removal, conservation education, and trail building. Volunteers were primarily high-school students but also included park service staff and non-profit agency staff. Work in Virginia included completion over 1 mile of trail rehabilitation with durable stone and wood drainage structures, constructed a hikers' shelter, and built a 25' stone staircase. Work in Indiana included tear-down and re-building of over 90' of wooden boardwalk in a maritime forest on the shore of Lake Michigan along with over 3 acres of invasive species removal in a sensitive dune grassland. Show less

Conservation Intern

• Jun 2001 - Aug 2002

Volunteered as a Conservation Intern through a joint program with AmeriCorps and the Student Conservation Association. Worked as a environmental science/conservation educator, repaired and built trails in New Hampshire state parks, and removed invasive plant species from sensitive vegetation communities. Volunteered as a Conservation Intern through a joint program with AmeriCorps and the Student Conservation Association. Worked as a environmental science/conservation educator, repaired and built trails in New Hampshire state parks, and removed invasive plant species from sensitive vegetation communities.