SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS
· Mammals, marine and terrestrial, with a special interest in mammalian behavior, ecology, and conservation as well as interest in rehabilitation. Strong background in field experience.
EDUCATION
1992-1996 Paul VI High School
Fairfax, Virginia
1996-2001 Northern Virginia Community
College, Manassas, Virginia
2001-2007 Humboldt State University
Arcata, California
·Bachelor of Science in Zoology:
Major areas of study included General Zoology, Animal Physiology, Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates, General Bacteriology, Principles of Ecology and Mammalogy.
·Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology:
Major areas of study included General Oceanography, Invertebrate Zoology, Intertidal Ecology and Phycology.
Senior Research Project conducted on “The Role of Varices on Ceratostoma foliatum in Orientation and Stabilization in Feeding Position on Prey (Mytilus californianus)”.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
· Marine Mammal Rescuer, Rehabilitator, and Caretaker 2005-2007
North Coast Marine Mammal Center (NCMMC), Crescent City, CA
Rescued and rehabilitated various pinnipeds including Pacific harbor seals, California sea lions, Northern elephant seals, Steller's sea lion, Northern fur seals. Duties included rescues, transports, veterinary procedures, animal care, releases, public relations and fundraising events.
· Marine Mammal Education and Research Program (MMERP) 2005-2006
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
Scientific research training in field skills by conducting research and collecting data on local populations of marine mammals with a focus on the behavioral ecology of local marine mammals. This is one of the only program opportunities in the country for undergraduates to do hands-on research on marine mammals.
· Veterinary and Boarding Assistant 2005-2006
Nokesville Veterinary Clinic, Nokesville, VA Duties included preparing and assisting in examination room, holding or restraining animal during procedures, preparing equipment and instruments for surgical procedures, assisting veterinarians during surgery and x-rays, setting up basic lab tests such as fecal analysis, administering medicine, cleaning cages, feeding, bathing, and walking animals.
· Foster Care and Adoption 2003-2004
Friends for Life Animal Rescue Group,
Arcata, CA
Cared for homeless dogs and cats in home until the animals found permanent homes. Duties included feeding, grooming, and exercise, as well as bringing the foster dog or cat to vet appointments and to adoption events and participating in the adoption screening process. Also assisted at various fundraising events.
· Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator 2001-2002
Humboldt Wildlife Care Center, Arcata,CA
Assisted with wildlife emergency calls to hotline, helped rehabilitate and care for animals received, and worked at numerous fundraising events for center.
· Great Ape House Keeper Aide 1998-2001
Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C.
Duties included food preparation and feeding of each individual animal, cleaning of cages, exhibit areas and night house areas, and assisted keepers in preparing enrichment items.
· Animal Caretaker and Petting Zoo Staff 1998
Reston Animal Park, Reston, VA
Assisted in petting zoo, food preparation, feeding, and in gift shop as needed.
FIELD EXPERIENCE
· Radio telemetry and triangulation on tagged harbor seals to determine site fidelity over a one-year period for MMERP.
· Surveying for Humpback and Gray whales and documenting behavior, abundance, and distribution of individual whales residing in northern California and developing photo identification libraries for Gray whales along the northern California coast for MMERP.
· Necropsy on beached Fin whale for MMERP.
· Responded to stranded pinniped calls, beach assessment to check for signs of distress, disease or injury in animals, transport, stabilization, tube feeding of pups, administering medicine, assisted with veterinary procedures, animal care, releases, and worked fundraising events for NCMMC.
· Certified wildlife rehabilitator by International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, which included training in assessment, injury stabilization, handling wildlife safely, feeding, diseases, administering medicine, and euthanasia if necessary.
· Field research project on rocky intertidal zonation in Humboldt Bay examined if distinct zones do exist by identifying specific species of seaweeds and invertebrates and statistically comparing results to previous years data. This is an ongoing research project as part of Phycology course.
· Algal collecting, documentation, and identification for algal herbarium and digital collection by identifying marine and freshwater algae by characterization of algal taxonomy by patterns of morphology, anatomy, development and reproduction.
· Independent research project included collecting and modifying shell varices to test “The Role of Varices on Ceratostoma foliatum in Stabilization and Prey Location” using a modified flume and y-maze at Telonicher Marine Laboratory, Humboldt State University, Trinidad, California.
· Locating and photographing intertidal invertebrates at Patrick’s Point State Park, Trinidad, California for documentation and identification for digital collection.
LABORATORY EXPERIENCE
· Microbiological laboratory techniques as applied to the isolation, characterization, and identification of microorganisms from various environments.
· Independent research project on isolating, purifying, and characterization of a radiation resistant bacterium from natural samples from the Manila Dunes.
SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
· Society for Marine Mammalogy
· Association of Zoos and Aquariums
· The American Society of Mammalogists
· International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council
· Zoological Association of America
COMPUTER SKILLS
· Methods and applications used in the biological sciences that include descriptive statistics, probability, random variables, discrete and continuous distributions, confidence intervals, contingency tests, regression and correlation, tests of hypothesis, analysis of variance as well as proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
PUBLICATIONS
· Stanton, K. F. and Reis, S. 2007. “Isolation and Characterization of a Radiation Resistant Bacterium from the Manila Dunes”, Humboldt Journal of Microbiology (HJM) 9: 139-147.
REFERENCES
Will provide on request.
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