Allie Simpson Email & Phone Number

• Supervised up to four invasive control technicians and managed multi-agency co-operative efforts to survey 4,500 acres of salt-marsh habitat and eight river miles of riparian habitat in order to analyze the extent of and control noxious weed infestations ensuring compliance with the Department of Agriculture’s Integrated Weed Management Plan.• Coordinated monitoring and surveying efforts between local communities, tribal partners and various governmental agencies including WCC, WSDA, WDFW, and other county-level Noxious Weed Departments to determine best management practices for noxious weed control.• Prepared three annual technical reports on the progress of Spartina and knotweed eradication in Skagit County and over 100 spray reports related to invasive species control.

• Conducted elemental nutrient analyses on 500 eelgrass biomass samples grown in simulated wood-waste polluted sediment and prepared samples for statistical analyses using R Statistical Software and Microsoft Excel.• Maintained basic laboratory equipment including drying oven, analytical balance, centrifugal mill, pH meter, sulfide meter, microscope, muffle furnace, elemental analyzer, refractometer, turbidimeter, and YSI meter.

Bellingham, Wa

I independently conducted two studies on the effects of pore-water sulfide on native and non-native eelgrass health and distribution leading to a better understanding of coastal biogeochemistry. While here, I developed and constructed over 100 diffusive gradients in thin-film (DGT) sensors to gather 2D visualizations of sediment sulfide concentrations for both experiments. I provided instruction, training, and technical guidance to 5 assistants in DGT creation as well as created documentation for projects including workshop synthesis report on sulfide-eelgrass interactions. Additionally, I taught and provided logistics for college courses in Wetlands, Oceanography, Water Quality, Environmental Impact Assessment, and Fundamentals of Ecology.

Anacortes, Wa

In accordance with the Steve Sulkin Graduate Fellowship through the Shannon Point Marine Center, I created and implemented a 10 week scientific communications workshop for the summer SPMC Research Experience for Undergraduate students. Each week various aspects of science communication were taught and discussed at length. Sessions included creating a public outreach event, presenting scientific research and writing scientific papers. I also helped lead students on creating a local public outreach event focused on marine conservation.

Sequim, Wa

Researched tidal freshwater wetlands in the Columbia River Estuary for a long-term ecological monitoring study. Collected and analyzed biomass, soil and detritus samples for a comparison study between Carex lyngbyei and Phalaris arundinacea as a juvenile salmon habitat. Major duties included identification of wetland plants, calculating percent cover of biomass, invertebrate sampling, determining vegetative species composition and GIS analysis.

Sequim, Wa

Selected for a second internship under the guidance of Dr. Ronald Thom. Conducted experiments on the effects of light, temperature and salinity on the metabolic processes of Zostera marina (eelgrass) to supplement a numerical biomass model created for use in future restoration projects.

Portland, Oregon Area

Participated in many activities as an assistant for the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in STEM at Portland State University. As a biology tutor, I assisted STEM majors with biology courses with topics ranging from the molecular level to ecosystems and conservation. As the public speaking action team lead I aided groups of students in preparing and giving effective scientific poster presentations for various conferences/symposiums through weekly seminars covering how to articulate science for all audiences and creating well-designed scientific posters. As an office assistant, I inputted data for NSF grant needs as well as conducted clerical work for the LSAMP center.

Participated in NSF funded research as part of a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) under the direction of Dr. Sarah Eppley. Researched spatial segregation of sexes in the salt marsh grass Distichlis spicata using molecular and greenhouse experiments to determine physiological differences between males and females.

Sequim, Wa

Participated in 10 week internship under the guidance of Dr. Ronald Thom at the Marine Sciences Laboratory Division at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Compared the effects of incoming sunlight to growth rates of Zostera marina (eelgrass) for restoration purposes. Other projects included comparing species composition data of a tidal salt marsh and understanding the effects of EMF on lobster behavior.

Contacted and recruited volunteers about upcoming local events and campaigns. Brought attention to ocean related issues by writing letters to the editor, holding interviews with local reporters, planning local events and assisting in various campaigns.

Master Of Science (Ms), Marine And Estuarine Science

As a master’s candidate at Western Washington University, I was supported by a Washington Sea Grant funded project focused on the impacts.

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Environmental Science, Anthropology

Activities and Societies: Tau Sigma National Honor Society, Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, Association for Women in Science (AWIS).

Associate Of Arts (A.A.), Liberal Arts And Sciences/Liberal Studies