Aaron Eckley Email & Phone Number

Ames, Iowa, Us

This position was in-partner with the Iowa DNR. We were stationed at their research center at Ledges State Park in Boone, IA. Duties included:- Surveying mammal, reptile, amphibious, invertebrate, and plant populations for species diversity at multiple conservation and wildlife management areas.- Being certified in and knowing how to safely and properly collect wild animals, while gathering accurate data. Examples include mammal trapping and fish electroshocking,- Utilizing my observational skills to notice animals in the wild via sight, sound, and signs of their activity.

• Maintained parks and trails with routine cleaning, trash pickup, maintenance and repairs, and mowing. Additional cleaning tasks included washing inside and outside shelters, scrubbing windows and doorways, and tiding up social areas such as shelters and outdoor gathering spaces.• Used trailers and other large equipment to transport vehicles and debris from park upkeep. This involved hauling mowers and other maintenance equipment, driving needed industrial vehicles, and using specialized equipment such as a large wood-chipper.• Worked well in a team and individual setting completing tasks effectively and efficiently while getting along with my supervisors and co-workers, and while having fun!

• Performed various natural-based insecticide tests on pest insect species while accurately following testing protocols• Maintained and bred various insect and plant colonies effectively throughout their lifecycles. These include German and American roaches, house flies, grain beetles, Indian meal moths, soybean aphids, thrips, soybeans, foxtails, dandelions, and others in a controlled lab setting.• Aided in a CDC-based research project assessing insecticide resistance in local mosquito populations. Steps involved collecting mosquito egg rafts, rearing them to adults - to verify species, and conducting specific testing protocols as requested by the CDC.

• Scouted soybean fields and reported data on insect pest numbers. Gathered information on crop field insects including soybean aphids, thrips, whiteflies, spider mites, corn earworm, corn rootworm, lacewings, pirate bugs, damsel bugs, and others. Was one of the first to observe the behavior of the newly-documented soybean gall midge - developing in the nodules of soybean roots, during the summer of 2018.• Performed bioassays assessing aphid insecticide resistance, utilizing Microsoft Word and Excel. Techniques involved counting aphids and their offspring at set time periods after insecticide exposure. Assay methods included leaf-dip and topical.• Aided in external project collaborations from partnering universities. In example, photography of stressed crop populations via drone aerial photography.

• Planted and maintained milkweed and nectar plant sources. Regularly watered plants and assessed them for any unwanted predators to the monarch caterpillars or butterflies.• Cared for monarch butterfly colonies through their entire lifecycle, prioritizing their health and well-being. Regularly walked outdoor cages looking for unhealthy monarchs or parasitoid chalcid wasps. Any infected caterpillars or chrysalises were disposed of, and the area thoroughly cleaned. Additionally conducted OE (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha) testing on adult butterflies making sure individuals were healthy.• Presented at local events, such as Monarch Fest 2018 at the Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids, IA - communicating the decline of monarchs and the various obstacles they face including parasitoids, predators, and negative human intervention.

Bachelor'S Degree, Biology/Biological Sciences, General

Associate Of Science - As, Biology