Curriculum Vitae

Education

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Ph.D. Student 

January 2024 - Present

A current Ph.D. student in the Marine and Estuarine Environmental Science program. 

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Scottish Association for Marine Science

Masters of Science in Aquaculture, Environment and Society

September 2016 - July 2018

European Union-funded scholarship for the study at the Scottish Association for Marine Science, the  University of Crete, and the University of Nantes.  Thesis: The impact of environmental variables on biofouling organisms, and their implications as a food  source for European lobsters (Homarus gammarus L.) in sea-based container culture 

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Old Dominion University

Bachelor of Science in Biology, concentration in Marine Biology

September 2011 -December 2013

Relevant Work

Freshwater Institute, Shepherdstown, WV

Fish Culture Technician

January 2022-Present

•  Works as part of the Fish Production team to maintain the health and welfare of fishes within a recirculating aquaculture research facility

  • Maintains updated weights and records for optimal fish care

  • Conducts necessary medical treatments

  • Grades fish by size and manages system densities

  • Remains on call for emergency response

• Assists in research projects catered towards aquaculture industry needs

  • Collects weights, lengths, fin and cataract conditions

  • Injects PIT tags and manages data

• Assists facility Operations team with preventative maintenance tasks to maintain fish culture systems and equipment in good working order 

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Aquaculture Research Center, Baltimore, MD

Senior Biological Technician

September 2019-December 2021

•  Assisted in the care for the sharks, bony fish, crustaceans, bivalves, and turtles, and the system related equipment in an aquaculture environment.  

  • Monitored the health and behavior of the animals to ensure they are eating properly and  showing no signs of stress or illness  

  • Maintained updated weights and records of animals to ensure the appropriate amount of feed is distributed 

  • Maintained daily and weekly record keeping for animals and infrastructure

  • Conducted daily system maintenance and repairs as necessary

  • Remained on-call and responded to animal and infrastructure-related emergencies at all  hours

• Assisted in research projects conducted by principal investigators, graduate students, and other research staff

  • Coordinated and assisted researchers and the veterinarian in handling animals, moving, harvesting, weighing, and conducting medical treatments

  • Worked directly with principal investigators to create animal care plans and aid in  research

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Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Baltimore, MD

Baltimore Oyster Restoration Assistant

September 2018-March 2019

• Worked toward the restoration of oyster populations in the Patapsco River via spat-on-shell  grown in cages throughout Baltimore City

  • Aided in delivery, retrieval, and planting of oyster spat

  • Developed a monitoring program to collect growth and mortality data over the restoration  year at various site throughout Baltimore City 

  • Identified organisms found among the cages, including various reef fishes, crabs, and  predatory flatworms 

  • Aided in community engagement and stakeholder events 

• Assisted in various operational duties at the Oyster Restoration Center in Shady Side and the  Annapolis CBF Headquarters

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Phillips Wharf Environmental Center, Tilghman, MD

General Manager

May 2013-August 2016

• Oversaw Tilghman Islanders Grow Oysters Program  

  • Monitored spat-on-shell planting sites, growth, and mortality over the restoration year

  • Interacted and coordinated with various stakeholders in the area 

  • Performed Ray's fluid thioglycollate media (RFTM) culture assay on eastern oysters in Harris Creek to determine prevalence of dermo on oyster site  

• Maintained high animal welfare for aquatic exhibits 

  • Prepared feed, medical treatments, and general care of various invertebrates, native  turtles, and locally caught and captured fish 

  • Conducted water changes, water quality tests, and maintenance of aquaria, flow-throughs, and enclosures 

• Developed a team of volunteers and interns annually to support various programs, events,  logistical management needs

  • Hired and supervised high school and college interns to support marine exhibits, teach children, develop social media advertisements, and facilitate community engagement

• Educated public and schools via tours, field trips, and public events about the Chesapeake Bay  watershed ecology and issues