Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA (2019-Present)
Senior majoring in wildlife conservation and minoring in entomology. Member of the College of Natural Resources and Environment Leadership Institute. Studied abroad in Panama during winter 2020 session. 3.87 GPA. Projected to graduate in Spring 2022.
Virginia Western Community College Roanoke, VA (2017-2019)
Took various courses needed to successfully transfer to Virginia Tech.
Eastern Florida State College Melbourne, FL (2014-2015)
Graduated with Associate’s degree. On Dean’s List.
Senior majoring in wildlife conservation and minoring in entomology. Member of the College of Natural Resources and Environment Leadership Institute. Studied abroad in Panama during winter 2020 session. 3.87 GPA. Projected to graduate in Spring 2022.
Virginia Western Community College Roanoke, VA (2017-2019)
Took various courses needed to successfully transfer to Virginia Tech.
Eastern Florida State College Melbourne, FL (2014-2015)
Graduated with Associate’s degree. On Dean’s List.
Employment
Department of Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA (2021-Present)
Animal Care Assistant
Independently provides animal care to house finches and zebra finches for Dr. Dana Hawley and Dr. Kendra Sewall.
Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke Roanoke, VA (2016-Present)
Staff Naturalist, Volunteer Coordinator & Operations Manager.
Manages all day-today operations of the center and its staff. Performs medical and non-medical rehabilitation practices for all species wildlife native to Virginia. Acts as a public representative for the center through educational outreach and media appearances. Wrote in-depth protocol for the care of all songbird species occurring in Virginia.
College of Natural Resources and Environment Eastern Shore, VA (2021)
Ocean Acidification Lab/Field Technician
Independently performed bird surveys, core samples, water processing (both field and lab) on remote barrier islands during the 2021 field season for Dr. Sarah Karpanty. Additionally worked with graduate student Mikayla Call with capturing, radio tagging/telemetry, and surveying for American Oystercatcher chicks. Banded 250 tern chicks as part of the Hampton Roads project.
Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA (2020-2021)
Laboratory/Field Technician in Carrie Preston's lab
Performs various tasks in both lab and field settings in regards to biological control mechanisms for the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid.
Animal Care Assistant
Independently provides animal care to house finches and zebra finches for Dr. Dana Hawley and Dr. Kendra Sewall.
Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke Roanoke, VA (2016-Present)
Staff Naturalist, Volunteer Coordinator & Operations Manager.
Manages all day-today operations of the center and its staff. Performs medical and non-medical rehabilitation practices for all species wildlife native to Virginia. Acts as a public representative for the center through educational outreach and media appearances. Wrote in-depth protocol for the care of all songbird species occurring in Virginia.
College of Natural Resources and Environment Eastern Shore, VA (2021)
Ocean Acidification Lab/Field Technician
Independently performed bird surveys, core samples, water processing (both field and lab) on remote barrier islands during the 2021 field season for Dr. Sarah Karpanty. Additionally worked with graduate student Mikayla Call with capturing, radio tagging/telemetry, and surveying for American Oystercatcher chicks. Banded 250 tern chicks as part of the Hampton Roads project.
Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA (2020-2021)
Laboratory/Field Technician in Carrie Preston's lab
Performs various tasks in both lab and field settings in regards to biological control mechanisms for the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid.
Additional Training and Education
Call of the Wild Conference / Wildlife Center of Virginia Waynesboro, VA (2016-present)
Attended lectures and labs on topics of wildlife rehabilitation, veterinary medicine, and outreach from leading experts.
Beginner Bird Banding and MAPS Certification / The Institute for Bird Populations Lansing, WV (2017)
Took course on the banding of passerines with both lecture and hands-on practical field experience components.
Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Seminar / International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Waynesboro, VA (2016)
Introductory two-day course of formalized wildlife rehabilitation education. Passed exam.
Introduction to Raptor Field Techniques / University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI (2016)
Took course on the banding of raptors with both lecture and hands-on practical field experience components. Received certification for having forty hours of field research experience.
Category IV Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit / VDGIF (2016-present)
Permitted to work with all birds, small mammals, rabies vector species, amphibians, and reptiles native to Virginia.
Attended lectures and labs on topics of wildlife rehabilitation, veterinary medicine, and outreach from leading experts.
Beginner Bird Banding and MAPS Certification / The Institute for Bird Populations Lansing, WV (2017)
Took course on the banding of passerines with both lecture and hands-on practical field experience components.
Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Seminar / International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Waynesboro, VA (2016)
Introductory two-day course of formalized wildlife rehabilitation education. Passed exam.
Introduction to Raptor Field Techniques / University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI (2016)
Took course on the banding of raptors with both lecture and hands-on practical field experience components. Received certification for having forty hours of field research experience.
Category IV Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit / VDGIF (2016-present)
Permitted to work with all birds, small mammals, rabies vector species, amphibians, and reptiles native to Virginia.
Volunteerism
The Wildlife Disease Association Virginia Tech Chapter / Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA (2019-present)
Social Media Chair and Treasurer. Elected to position by peers. Manages social media outreach for the club and manages finances.
Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas 2 / Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (2016-2020)
Volunteer. Worked with project coordinator to write protocol to utilize data from wildlife rehabilitation for the Atlas.
Song Sparrow Urbanization Lab / Dr. Kendra Sewall, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA (2020)
Volunteer. Re-sighted and recorded information on banded birds, repaired damaged mist nets.
Salamander Sampling Lab / Dr. Carola Haas, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA (2019)
Volunteer. Assisted in the handling, weighing, measuring, and recording of data of salamanders caught in the field.
Virginia Master Naturalist Program Blacksburg, VA (2016-present)
Certified as a Virginia Master Naturalist. Volunteers on projects relating to natural resources and outreach.
Social Media Chair and Treasurer. Elected to position by peers. Manages social media outreach for the club and manages finances.
Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas 2 / Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (2016-2020)
Volunteer. Worked with project coordinator to write protocol to utilize data from wildlife rehabilitation for the Atlas.
Song Sparrow Urbanization Lab / Dr. Kendra Sewall, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA (2020)
Volunteer. Re-sighted and recorded information on banded birds, repaired damaged mist nets.
Salamander Sampling Lab / Dr. Carola Haas, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA (2019)
Volunteer. Assisted in the handling, weighing, measuring, and recording of data of salamanders caught in the field.
Virginia Master Naturalist Program Blacksburg, VA (2016-present)
Certified as a Virginia Master Naturalist. Volunteers on projects relating to natural resources and outreach.
References
Sabrina Garvin............ Executive Director of SWVA Wildlife Center................. 540-798-8545
Dr. Dana Hawley......... Professor of Biological Sciences................................... 540-231-8946 dana.hawley@vt.edu
Dr. Kevin Hamed ........ Professor of Fish and Wildlife Conservation................... 540-231-1887 / khamed@vt.edu
Dr. Sarah Karpanty .... Professor of Fish and Wildlife Conservation................... 540-231-4568 / karpanty@vt.edu
Dr. Dana Hawley......... Professor of Biological Sciences................................... 540-231-8946 dana.hawley@vt.edu
Dr. Kevin Hamed ........ Professor of Fish and Wildlife Conservation................... 540-231-1887 / khamed@vt.edu
Dr. Sarah Karpanty .... Professor of Fish and Wildlife Conservation................... 540-231-4568 / karpanty@vt.edu
