Experience

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission

• United States
• Law Enforcement
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Fish & Wildlife Biological Scientist III

  • Feb 2021 - Present

  Develops conservation measures and drafts biological comments or Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce potential adverse impacts to species under the responsibility of the Imperiled Species Management Section, with a focus on Florida manatee and sea turtle conservation through the review of environmental permits Manages many projects at once from initiation to closure; responsible for coordinating and organizing meetings with the project team, collaborating with other biologists for other species concerns, attending site inspections, conducting data analyses, and making proactive recommendations to remove adverse impacts Conducts manatee and sea turtle research projects and rescue and mortality responses as part of the FWC Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Research and Stranding Team Develops, implements, and analyzes educational materials and outreach programs to the public to promote an increased understanding of Florida’s wildlife and management pertaining to imperiled species, with an emphasis on manatees and sea turtles Assists in coordinating the Imperiled Species Management Section Internship Program by conducting Intern interviews and acting as the point of contact for Interns while completing their semester projects and presentations Utilizes Esri ArcGIS Pro to conduct data analyses pertaining to manatee and sea turtle distribution, abundance, and mortality and creates maps to display manatee and sea turtle data pertinent to project reviews



U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Biological Science Technician

  • Feb 2020 - Sep 2020

  Performed beach surveys to monitor sea turtle nesting and hatchling emergence’s, located nest egg chambers, and documented nest success through post-emergence nest excavations Conducted shorebird surveys including identification of bird species using spotting scopes and binoculars and collected data to monitor the bird breeding behavior, courtship, nest building behavior, and incubation of least tern bird nesting colonies Managed a large trail camera grid by uploading, scripting, categorizing, and conducting QC of camera trap images and videos and collaborated with refuge biologists to identify and perform analysis from camera trap data Implemented and managed a water quality monitoring program by setting up and calibrating a YSI multi-parameter data sonde, developing a SOP, collecting and performing QC on the data, and conducting numerous statistical analyses tests Conducted threatened and endangered species surveys specifically surveying for manatees, gopher tortoise burrows, and red-cockaded woodpecker nest cavities for development and restoration projects Used automated database systems or field data sheets to enter, organize, and perform analysis of collected biological data, including utilizing geographic information systems (ArcGIS) to present data in a spatial context Assisted with the development and execution of educational materials and programs to the public to promote an increased understanding of natural resources and wildlife management



University of North Carolina Wilmington

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Graduate Teaching Assistant

  • Aug 2018 - Dec 2019

  Classes Instructed: Environmental Studies Laboratory, Global Environmental Issues, Special Topics in Environmental Science, and Seminar in Environmental Studies Instructed undergraduate students on environmental topics such as biodiversity, water quality, soils, energy, coastal management, science communication, scientific writing, etc. Assisted in the development of lesson plans for laboratory activities and created and delivered PowerPoint presentations for each lecture topic Maintained office hours for educational assistance and outreachComposed and evaluated student examinations and guided students through their scientific research projectsManaged and updated online course learning materials and student grades through the CANVAS web-based learning management system

• Graduate Research Assistant

  • Aug 2018 - May 2019

  Research Question: What are the Drivers of Biodiversity Across Cities of North Carolina? Advisor: Dr. Rachael UrbanekCollaborated as part of an interdisciplinary research team with UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte, and UNC-Wilmington to determine the biogeophysical and socioeconomic drivers of biodiversity in cities and how and why these drivers and their relationships might vary across cities Researched and catalogued count and presence/absence data on herpetofauna and mammal biodiversity of metropolitan statistical areas of NC, performed literature reviews, and conducted data analysisAssisted in the planning, recruitment of presenters, marketing efforts, and successful execution of a Biodiversity of Cities Symposium



US Army Corps of Engineers

• United States
• Armed Forces
• 700 & Above Employee

• Environmental Regulatory Intern

  • May 2019 - Aug 2019

  Assisted regulatory specialists with wetland delineations, threatened & endangered species determinations, compliance and violation inspections, environmental permitting, and the North Carolina Wetland Assessment Method Facilitated client meetings to discuss their options to avoid, minimize, and mitigate wetland impacts Supported the specialists in educating the public about the USACE regulatory program Assisted regulatory specialists with wetland delineations, threatened & endangered species determinations, compliance and violation inspections, environmental permitting, and the North Carolina Wetland Assessment Method Facilitated client meetings to discuss their options to avoid, minimize, and mitigate wetland impacts Supported the specialists in educating the public about the USACE regulatory program



Crepe Myrtle Animal Hospital

• Angier, North Carolina, United States

• Veterinary Technician

  • Nov 2017 - Jun 2018

  Cared for animals by taking vital signs, collecting biological samples, drawing blood, administering SQ and IM injections, performing X-rays, assisting in surgery, bandaging and wrapping wounds, and administering medications Performed lab tests such as blood CBC and chemistry analysis, urinalysis, ear and skin cytology, and fecal analysis Assisted veterinarians with animal examinations by assembling required supplies and instruments, securing and bringing animals to the exam room, obtaining patient history, restraining animals, and educating owners on the best animal care Provided customers with excellent customer service by listening to their concerns and questions in person or via telephone in order to provide answers or effectively communicate the information to other veterinary medical staff Scheduled appointments appropriately and professionally, collected payments, and maintained client charts



The University of Georgia

• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Gopher Tortoise Technician

  • May 2017 - Aug 2017

  Conducted gopher tortoise burrow surveys implementing line transect distance sampling, including using a camera scope to determine burrow inhabitants, to estimate the density and size demography of gopher tortoise populations in central Florida and southern Georgia Performed snake inventory surveys utilizing drift fence arrays with box-traps and collected data on snakes captured Conducted habitat monitoring of gopher tortoise survey areas and collected and analyzed vegetation sampling data



Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Small Mammals Intern

  • Jan 2016 - May 2016

  Maintained habitat cleanliness, operated life-support equipment, provided environmental enrichment, and prepared meals for the lemur, monkey, river otter and other small mammal populations at an AZA-accredited zoo Performed positive reinforcement operant conditioning training with the animals Used strong observational skills to distinguish and understand changes in the condition, health, and behavior of the animals Assisted with veterinary care and helped monitor the breeding activity of the animals Presented zookeeper talks and assisted with the planning and delivering of educational programs to the public using educational techniques and equipment to educate a wide range of audiences on various topics of wildlife conservation and management Completed daily medical and husbandry records for each animal by updating the appropriate databases