PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Cross-disciplinary student in wildlife conservation, incorporating fields such as philosophy, cognitive science, and linguistics. Interest and experience in research, teaching, and leadership development. Experienced in many field methods, climbing, backpacking, geographic information systems, R, photography, and videography. Research technician experience in human dimensions, wind turbine-wildlife collisions, and ornithology. International experience in Brazil, Guyana, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Possess Department of Interior Direct Hire Authority until May 2021 via the USFWS Directorate Fellows Program.
EDUCATION Master of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC – graduating in May 2021 GPA: 4.00; 19 Semester credits
Bachelor of Science in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC – May 2019 GPA: 3.89; 139 Semester credits; Dean’s List each semester GRE Scores: Verbal Reasoning, 160; Quantitative Reasoning, 160
WORK EXPERIENCE Summary: NPS Future Park Leaders Fellow (2020), Graduate Teaching Assistant (2019-2020), Human Dimensions Research Technician (2018-2019), USFWS Directorate Resource Assistant Fellow (2018), Population and Habitat Biology Technician (2017), Bachman’s Sparrow Research Technician (2016), Community Assistant (2017-2020), Plant Biology Laboratory Instructor (2017), Photography Intern (2016-2017), Engaging Leaders Program Student Coordinator (2016-2017)
Padre Island National Seashore, U.S. National Park Service, 20301 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 June 2020 to August 2020 Title: Future Park Leaders Fellow Duties, Accomplishments, and Skills
Worked in sea turtle project with green sea turtles and Kemp's ridley sea turtles
Data inventory and digitization
Helped bury turtle
Worked in necropsy lab
Processed gut samples
Separated plastics and analyzed
Reviewed literature
Guided project and prepared procedure
Completed stats and prepared manuscript
Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, 2820 Faucette Drive, Raleigh, NC 27695 August 2019 to present Title: Teaching Assistant Duties, Accomplishments, and Skills
Assisted in teaching three undergraduate courses (two per semester): FW 404 (Wildlife Habitat Management; 60 students), FW 373 (Vertebrate Natural History; 50 students), and FW 221 (Introduction to Natural Resources; 250 students)
Delivered a lecture to 60 students on habitat management of the longleaf pine ecosystem
Led multiple plant identification walks
Taught a weekly lab to 25 students, including five dissections and identification of over 200 vertebrates
Graded two written assignments for 125 students (FW 221), two research summaries for 30 students (FW 404), and plant collections for 30 students (FW 404)
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, North Carolina State University, 2820 Faucette Drive, Raleigh, NC 27695 September 2018 to June 2019 Title: Human Dimensions Research Technician Duties, Accomplishments, and Skills
Assisted with research and outreach related to a USFWS and AFWA funded project examining the promise and potential impacts of federal R3 efforts targeting college students
Analyzed, using original R code, survey data for more than 4,000 respondents and more than 200 variables
Identified and reported major and minor differences between various respondent subgroups
Developed written data summaries, tables, and figures
Division of Academic and Student Affairs, North Carolina State University, 101 Current Drive, Raleigh, NC 27695 August 2017 to Present Title: Community Assistant Duties, Accomplishments, and Skills
Operated residence hall 24-hour desk during both day and night shifts
Provided high quality customer service (responding to both simple questions and health and safety emergencies) to 6 buildings and 760 residents
Managed processes including student room check-in and check-out, package reception and delivery, and distribution of rental items
Routinely exceeded expectations by completing duties forgotten during the previous employee’s shift, fixing broken rental equipment, and improving efficiency and organization of desk processes
Division of Migratory Birds, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035 May 2018 to August 2018 Title: Directorate Resource Assistant Fellow Duties, Accomplishments, and Skills
Quickly reviewed over 90 scientific papers and technical reports and synthesized current state of knowledge of bird and bat mortality at wind projects
Compiled all available USFWS northeast bird and bat collision data from 44 wind projects over 10 years; reformatted electronic data and manually entered over 2,000 individual records (GPS coordinates, species, wind project, etc.)
Supplemented collision data for over 100 species with average body measurements, foraging habits, migratory behavior, population estimates, and federal protection status; additionally supplemented data with turbine specific measurements and information
Explored and summarized species, temporal, and spatial trends in bird and bat mortality data using Excel, R, and ArcMap
Explored significant parameters in total mortality estimation using USGS Evidence of Absence software
Produced maps and figures using ArcMap, R, and Plot.ly to explain geographic data biases and data trends
Prepared a 50-page technical report which included a thorough literature review; summary of avian and bat mortality data, selected data trends, and conclusions; summary of mortality simulations and significant parameters; and future research recommendations
Presented findings to regional USFWS leadership and submitted recommendations for better data collection and management
Continued project voluntarily during the school year to prepare a formal publication in collaboration with researchers from USFWS and USDA (currently in process)
Assisted in setting up nearly 50 mist nets (many alone) and monitoring a MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) station; removed birds from nets and assisted with bird processing and data recording
Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7612, Raleigh, NC 27695 August 2017 to December 2017 Title: Plant Biology Laboratory Instructor Duties, Accomplishments, and Skills
Taught and supervised a weekly 3-hour laboratory session for a plant biology class of 20 undergraduate students
Presented weekly 20-30 minute lectures and prepared laboratory displays and materials
Guided laboratory procedures such as DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, and gel electrophoresis, and managed use of devices such as a UV imager and thermal cycler
Maintained and was responsible for laboratory safety
Individually created and graded weekly quizzes and laboratory practical exams
Assisted in grading lecture midterm and final exams for over 100 students
Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2885 West Kathleen Avenue, Couer d’Alene, ID 83815 May 2017 to July 2017 Title: Population and Habitat Biology Technician Duties, Accomplishments, and Skills
Set and retrieved several dozen camera traps at and from remote hiking trails, highway underpasses, bear DNA collection stations, and elk carcasses
Participated in a full-day white pelican survey counting several thousand individuals using a spotting scope
Collected bear DNA by preparing 5-7 barbed wire hair snares and lure stations
Surveyed for amphibians via wetland perimeter dip-netting at 10 wetlands, 2-7 km in circumference; targeted Northern Leopard Frogs and removed species such as Bullfrogs
Used radio telemetry on thick and steep mountain slopes to investigate mortality signals from collared elk
Conducted 3 field necropsies on elk carcasses, collecting tissue samples and full femurs
Assisted in operation of 2 public free fishing days, distributing bait and poles
Worked with technicians to plant a wildlife corridor and survey meadow vegetation
Cleaned existing and installed new duck boxes, recorded data on duck and egg presence
Participated in, but was not eligible to complete, a two-day workshop on wildlife drug administration; drew blood from, administered drugs to, and measured vital rates of a practice goat
Worked alone and in teams in backcountry mountain areas in presence of elk, moose, and bears; navigated via compass, land features, and GPS; routinely hiked 10 or more miles off-trail to remote locations
College of Natural Resources, North Carolina State University, 2820 Faucette Drive, Raleigh, NC 27695 October 2016 to May 2017 Title: Photography Intern Duties, Accomplishments, and Skills
Photographed various events including receptions, guest lectures and seminars, signing events, student competitions, and celebrations
Edited photos for submission to NC State University to be used in publications
College of Natural Resources, North Carolina State University, 2820 Faucette Drive, Raleigh, NC 27695 August 2016 to May 2017 Title: Engaging Leaders Program Student Coordinator Duties, Accomplishments, and Skills
Led team of 9 students in designing and implementing 2016-2017 curriculum for the Engaging Leaders Program at NC State (https://cnr.ncsu.edu/admissions/engaging-leaders-program/)
Led team in designing, planning, and implementing a 2-night retreat at an external location for over 30 people; was responsible for food, lodging, and retreat schedule
Organized biweekly meetings, mentoring meetings, social activities, and community service events for program staff, student mentors, and 25 program participants
Created and instituted a “shark tank” component of the program where student teams developed and pitched events having a social impact to a team of judges, including the dean of the college; assisted in implementing selected events
Participated in evaluation of participant progress and dismissed several students who did not maintain program requirements and expectations
Interviewed students for 2017-2018 program coordinator and advisory board positions
Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, 2820 Faucette Drive, Raleigh, NC 27695 June 2016 to August 2016 Title: Bachman’s Sparrow Research Technician Duties, Accomplishments, and Skills
Conducted vegetation surveys in the longleaf pine ecosystem using a Wiens pole
Tracked adult and juvenile ground-dwelling sparrows in thick vegetation using radio telemetry, recording GPS data at each individual location
Conducted avian point counts between 5 and 11 am, using playback when necessary
Searched for sparrow nests in primarily thick wire grass, both by observing parental behavior and by manually pacing large areas
Followed cryptic sparrows and used binoculars to resight color-banded individuals
Worked daily in high heat, high humidity, thick vegetation, and many biting insects
Worked with graduate student to complete research project studying female Bachman’s sparrow habitat selection and survival
Manually entered data from 200 datasheets and planned survey points via ArcMap
Analyzed vegetation data using model fitting in R; produced figures using ArcMap and R
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS Vayer, V., Larson, L., Choi, D., Lee, K. J., Peterson, M. N., Sharp, R., Ahlers, A., Stedman, R., Siemer, W., Irwin, K., Woosnam, K., Keith, S., Farmer, J., Van Deelen, T., Anhalt-Depies, C., Bruskotter, J., Metcalf, E., Springer, M., Graefe, A., Rodriguez, S., Kelly, M., Winkler, R., Romulo, C., & Quartuch, M. (2018). Hunting and fishing participation among college students: Implications for wildlife conservation. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference. Cleveland, OH: October 7-11, 2018. [Poster]
Choi, D., Fish, A., Moorman, C., DePerno, C., Schillaci, J. (2017). Habitat Selection, Home Range, and Survival of Female Bachman's Sparrows in the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem. Ecological Society of America Annual Conference. Portland, OR: August 6-11, 2017. [Poster, Oral Presentation]. go.ncsu.edu/bachmanssparrow
Assessed a 67-acre forested property in Raleigh, NC and prepared a multi-decade management plan promoting habitat for two focal species
FW 405: Nicaraguan Wildlife – Grade: A
Learned about wildlife dynamics in Nicaragua including coffee plantation ecosystems, human-wildlife interactions, tropical ecology, and avian diversity
Traveled to Nicaragua for two weeks, learning to mist net and band birds.
FW 411/511: Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management – Grade: A
Joined graduate students in completing an IRB-approved study of early life parent-child activities as indicators parent life-satisfaction at later life stages
Prepared and distributed a survey and analyzed data using Excel and R
Worked with graduate students to formulate results as a paper; contributed significantly to methods, data analysis, and discussion
FW 444: Mammalogy – Grade: A
Set and retrieved 4 camera traps as part of a personal class project
Set, checked, and retrieved (with classmates) 100 Sherman traps during a 2-day field trip in the Great Smoky Mountains
Handled small rodents and skinned and stuffed a museum specimen
Other Natural Resource/Environmental Fields FOR 339: Dendrology – Grade: A
Learned to identify 181 trees and woody shrubs, mostly southeastern species
ARE 309: Environmental Law and Economic Policy – Grade: A
Prepared an environmental site assessment of a 26-acre property in Fayetteville, NC, including a tax record summary, a visual inspection, and an interview with the property owner
BMA 567: Modeling of Biological Systems – Grade: A
Learned to understand and emulate population models from multiple scientific papers using Program R
NR 295: Special Topics in Natural Resources – Grade: ungraded
Prepared a 29-page literature review of 12 case studies of conservation having major negative side effects
GIS 410: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems – Grade: A
Learned to use ArcGIS, including basic spatial functions, statistical analyses, and visually pleasing and effective maps
FOR 172: Forest Systems Mapping and Mensuration – Grade: A
Learned basic procedures of timber cruising and post-collection data analysis in Excel
Cross-Disciplinary PHI 425: Introduction to Cognitive Science – Grade: A
Learned about how the mind works and functions, including review of psychology, philosophy, linguistics, anthropology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence
Independently wrote a research paper on a multi-faceted theory of curiosity in the mind
HON 311: Words through Space and Time – Grade: A
Learned about how language shapes our cultural and thought
Conducted a 6-part study of the word wild, including its history and varying conceptual connotations across age, time, and culture
HON 341/PHI 330: Metaphysics – Grade: A
Studied the topic of metaphysics, focusing on the concept of time and time travel. Wrote a creative short story on time travel
NR 295: Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Lecture – Grade: ungraded
In a lecture and forum format, discussed the following topics: Leading Change for Diversity and Inclusion in Conservation; and Cultural Competency and Complexity in Conservation
JOB RELATED TRAINING
Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED; National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV; 5/23/2018
5 Day Hunting Workshop, Conservation Leaders of Tomorrow, CLFT.org; Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center, Mansfield, GA; 1/13/2017-1/17/2017
Conservation Leadership Week, Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program Collaborative; National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV; 6/3/2016-6/10/2016.
Basic Rock Climbing; North Carolina State University; 8/19/2015-12/18/2015
SELECTED CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT Social Innovation Fellows – Fellow – 2018 to 2019
Worked on a team of 4 students to develop educational materials to support investment in and marketing of the Flexcrevator device, an improved technology for pit latrine emptying
Explored intersection of the social and business sector in a setting promoting creative thinking and problem solving
Leopold Wildlife Club – Officer and Member – 2015 to present
Served as club officer during the 2017-2018 year
Collected and managed donations for a silent auction dinner with over 300 attendees
Campus Honors and Awards
Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program Collaborative at NC State University, 2016-2018
NC State “Century of Parks” Student Photo Contest Winner, 2016
NC State Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources Student Photo Contest Winner, 2016
NC State Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources Student Photo Contest Winner, 2015
Hope Valley Forest Scholarship, 2016-2018
Jane Foundation Merit Based Scholarship, 2016-2017
University Honors Program, North Carolina State University, 2015-2019
North Carolina State University Dean’s List Fall ’15, Spring ’16, Fall ’16, Spring ’17, Fall ’17, Spring ’18, and Fall ‘18
Hofmann Forest Academic Scholarship, 2015
PROJECTS NOT LISTED ABOVE The Curiosity Project – 2017 to 2019; https://www.curiosityandwonder.org/
Wrote a literature review of quantitative, qualitative, and philosophical components of curiosity
Collected autobiographical stories from over 50 people depicting what they found curious or amazing
Interviewed 4 individuals to understand their personal opinions of and experiences with curiosity and wonder; created transcripts of each 1-hour interview
Prepared (in progress) summary of findings in a short book containing narrative, literature review, and original personal philosophy
Developed an original website communicating project goals and provoking wonder
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Director of Social Media – 5 hours/week; November 2014 to August 2016; The Rick Herrema Foundation, Fayetteville, NC
Created original content for and ran Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and website for RHF (Rick Herrema Foundation) on a weekly basis
Originated Instagram account and saw presence grow to 500 followers within 1 year; oversaw Facebook page grow 5-fold to 800 likes
Recorded daily data and generated detailed reports on social media progress and marketing campaign effectiveness
Managed donation solicitation and use for social media growth campaigns
Maintained communication with volunteers and board members
Photographed and videographed dozens of RHF events and created short summary videos
Worked on a monthly crew to clear land, demolish old buildings, and help as needed