Field studies and interdisciplinary research in avian and mammal behavioral ecology, wildlife disease, captive propagation and rehabilitation, and adaptive wildlife management and zoo biology roles -- all combined to collaborate and advocate for the consolidation of an otherwise fragmented knowledge base that comprises the discipline reintroduction biology. My interest is broad and synergistic, seeking to revisit past and current reintroduction methods, their failures, and successes, to better adapt to rapidly changing contemporary anthropogenic pressures to advance reintroduction methods, protocols, and outcomes for threatened and endangered species.
University of New Mexico, Department of Biology, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biology, emphasis in Ethology, minor in Professional Writing and extended coursework in Business Management at Anderson School of Management.
Santa Fe College, Santa Fe Teaching Zoo, Gainesville, Florida. Degree: Associate of Science in Zoo Animal Technology.
Field Technician, Iowa State University, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Lab of Dr. John Downing, Ames, Iowa, under the direction of Dr. Christopher Filstrup and Mr. Daniel Kendall.
Various water sample collections and field observations.
Traveling to ~16 lake sites throughout Iowa.
Field Technician, Iowa State University, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Lab of Dr. Julie Blanchong, Ames, Iowa, under the direction of Dr. Julie Blanchong.
Project
Responsibilities
Ecology of Campylobacter in
wildlife
species in Iowa.
Communicating with private landowners.
Mist netting (songbirds).
H.B. Sherman traps (small mammals).
Cloaca/rectal sampling.
Avian and small mammal indentification.
Field Technician, Iowa State University, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Lab of Dr. Julie Blanchong, Ames, Iowa, under the direction of Mrs. Natalie Randall, Master’s Degree Candidate.
Project
Responsibilities
Potential use of wildlife rehabilitation centers
as disease surveillance.
Occurrence of West Nile virus in songbirds across land use gradients.
Communicating with private landowners.
Mist netting (songbirds).
Blood sampling (brachial vein).
Record keeping and sample processing.
Avian indentification, aging, sexing.
Web Site Development, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Under the direction of Mr. John Burnett and Mr. Christian Charbonneaux, Student Services Specialist and System Support Specialist respectfully.
Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Under the direction of Dr. David Otis, Unit Leader, The Unit web site is my original design from concept to completion.Web Site
Fisheries Extension and North Central Regional Aquaculture Center Under the direction of Mr. Richard Clayton and Dr. Joe Morris, Fisheries Extension Specialists.
Forestry Extension Under the direction of Dr. Jesse Randall, Forestry Extension Specialist.Web Site
Graduate Research in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology (GREBE) Under the direction of Mr. Erik Otarola-Castillo, Ph.D. Candidate and Social Chair, The 2010 Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference web site is my original design from concept to completion. Web Site(username & password: MEEC)
Business Owner, Animal World Pet Sitting, Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico. Serviced over 500 households in the Greater Albuquerque Metropolitan Area.
Species
Responsibilities
Domestics
Exotics
In-home animal care.
Interviewing potential clients.
Goodwill in the community.
Operations.
Scheduling.
Accounting.
Marketing and web site development.
Permitted Wildlife Rehabilitator, Seasonal Wildlife Clinic Manager, and Member of the Board of Directors, Wildlife Rescue, Inc., of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Species
Responsibilities
Avian (140)
Mammals (30)
Reptiles (22)
Wildlife specialist.
Animal acquisitions, evaluations, banding and release.
Animal Behavior Lab Assistant and Husbandry, University of New Mexico, Biology Department, Lab of Dr. Astrid Kodric-Brown, Albuquerque, New Mexico, under the direction of Mr. Jonathan Rosenfield, Ph.D. Candidate.
Species
Responsibilities
Cyprinodon pecosensis Cyprinodon variegatus
Various female-choice trials.
Aquaculture ~ 2,000 individuals.
Animal Behavior Lab Assistant and Husbandry, University of New Mexico, Biology Department, Lab of Dr. Astrid Kodric-Brown, under the direction of Dr. Astrid Kodric-Brown and Mr. Dan Albrecht, Ph.D. Candidate, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Responsible for immobilization drugs, capture equipment, and keeper safety.
Tagging procedures.
Quarantine procedures.
Animal nutrition and preventative care.
Handraising protocols.
Diversity & Accomplishments
STUDENT RESEARCH (*) POSTERS AND (**) PRESENTATIONS
**How do female Betta splendens respond to males with modified fins? Southwestern Association of Biologists. Abiqui, New Mexico.
499-Independent Study: Gastropod Shell Distribution and Factors Affecting their Utilization by Marine Hermit Crabs in Bahia Kino, Sonora, Mexico; one of two undergraduate students allowed to participate in Biology 515, with distinguished professors Dr. Astrid Kodric-Brown and Dr. James H. Brown.
*Independent Research Project: How do female Betta splendens respond to live males and video animations with modified fins? Animal Behavior Society. Carbondale, Illinois.
**Research Opportunity Program for Minorities (ROP): Female mating preferences and the combined complex signals of male secondary sex traits and courtship behaviors in Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). Research Opportunity Program Colloquium. Albuquerque, New Mexico.
*499-Independent Study: Determining female mate-choice when females are given the choice between various fin-shape characteristics in Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). Research Day. University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Awards Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow (CLfT), representing Iowa State University
– 4 day professional development program - all expenses paid. PHOTOS
Undergraduate Conference Award Program (UCAP), University of New Mexico
– $585.00.
Research Opportunity Program for Minorities (ROP), University of New Mexico
– $2500.00.
Internships
Zoo Keeper Exchange, Duke Lemur Center (Duke University Primate Research Center) , Durham, North Carolina; training in prosimian husbandry and captive management.
Classical Horsemanship, Greathouse Farm & Equestrian Center, Gainesville, Florida; training in horse care, training methods, safety and stable management, and dressage.
Certifications
Illinois Hunter Safety Education
Course Work and Skills of Interest
Ornithology
Aviculture
Conservation Biology
Wildlife Disease
Wildlife Ecology & Management
Plant Ecology
Plant Systematics
509 Grant Writing - Dr. Richard C. Freed
Editing
Document Design
Photogrammetry & GIS
