Amanda Ibara Email & Phone Number

San Diego, California, United States

My responsibilities and achievements at the Port of San Diego have evolved with my progressive changes in position. With each duty, I frequently interact and collaborate with additional state agencies, non-profits, and academic institutions to promote environmental stewardship and community connection to San Diego Bay. • Contribute to the comprehensive management, planning, and development of shellfish and seaweed planning initiatives in and around San Diego Bay• Coordinate and manage shellfish health surveys around San Diego Bay• Develop communication materials related to environmental initiatives• Pursue opportunities, research, and collaborative efforts to understand and minimize adverse effects of underwater noise and vessel speed reduction through a developing program at the Port of San Diego.• Assist with the development and implementation on nature-based solutions in San Diego Bay, including permitting, reporting, and monitoring• Manage and execute programs to support engaged Ridgway's Rails and California Least Terns

San Diego, California, United States

Long Beach, Ca

A culmination of 10 years of volunteering at Aquariums, substitute teaching, leading environmental field trip, and teaching biological research on SCUBA boats culminated in my role as an educator on Catalina Island.• Led outdoor education experiences on Catalina Island including activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, tidepooling, and dissections• Created, developed, and led marine biology-related classroom activities for children ages 10-12 in a summer camp setting

San Pedro, Ca

This role provided me direct exposure to the first shellfish farm operating in U.S. federal waters and the challenges it faced. I learned firsthand about the operational needs, logistics, and regulatory and permitting requirements of a mussel farm. I used this opportunity to develop my own scientific research skills and practically apply them to industry needs.• Worked under two federal research contracts investigating cryopreservation of mussel larvae and gametes, and genomic based selective breeding of mussels, and the commercial applications of both• Developed and maintained a nursery and seeding procedure for Giant Kelp in the open ocean• Completed weekly ELISA assays to test for the presence of domoic acid and saxitoxin in Catalina Sea Ranch mussels

Sitka, Alaska

As a naturalist, I used a three-hour tour to leave a lasting impression of the incredible nature of Southeast Alaska on visitors of all ages and backgrounds. My goal was to assist visitors to better understand the value of wild places and our reliance on a healthy ocean through personal connection and unique experiences.• Passionately educated passengers about the marine life, natural ecosystems, and history of Sitka, while on a “Jet Cat” wildlife adventure tour• Gained comprehensive knowledge about a previously unfamiliar area

Yellowstone National Park

This role was an introduction to natural resource management with a public agency. In addition to developing practical skills, I learned the importance of public communication, education, and transparency in a highly visible institution.• Protected and restored native trout populations in streams, rivers, and lakes through non-native species removal, tracking, mapping, and research• Collaborated with multiple federal and state agencies to reach natural resource management goals and complete projects efficiently• Adapted to frequent challenges in an unpredictable environment

Los Angeles, Ca

• Assist graduate researchers with projects relating to nudibranch genomics, speciation, and evolution• Responsibly follow protocol to extract and process DNA from a limited supply of specimen• Actively participate in multiple stages of graduate research and weekly lab meetings

Los Angeles, Ca

• Advisor: Dr. Thomas Gillespie• Project: "Inventorying and Monitoring Urban Insect Biodiversity for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County's BioSCAN Program"• Utilizing a combination of remote sensing data, ArcGIS tools, and field measurements to analyze patterns of insect biodiversity across Los Angeles

Santa Monica, Ca

• Communicate to the general public the excitement and knowledge that the aquarium offers• Work closely with children of all ages (pre-k to high school) in guided, age-specific programs• Maximize informal learning by connecting personally to the guests and forming a welcoming atmosphere

Long Beach, Ca

• Collect field data and take photos aboard local whale watch trips for blue whales and other cetaceans encountered• Process, organize, and analyze all data, photos, and GPS technology to identify individual Blue Whales and contribute to a growing identification catalog for Cascadia Research Collective• Interact with guests aboard the whale watch boats, interpret bio-facts, and provide insight into cetacean research

Los Angeles, Ca

• Supervisor: Stacie Smith, Doctoral Candidate• Bridge the gap between scientific knowledge, public policy, and social management to foster communication between all involved parties• Contributed to a weekly journal club and critically analyzed scientific literature in the context of our project• Think cooperatively according to the goals and concerns of several different agencies in order to create the most effective solution

Los Angeles, Ca

• Advisor: Dr, Martin Cadeiras• Interacted with patients in a clinical setting while shadowing a cardiologist• Improved personal laboratory techniques and skills for several different protocols• Participated in weekly meetings, discussions, and witnessed many steps of a successful research project

Master Of Science, Biology

• Master's student in Dr. Erika Holland's environmental toxicology lab, studying how to keep oysters in "Living Shorelines" healthy.

Bachelor Of Science In Environmental Science, Minor In Conservation Biology, Senior

Shark Behavior And Conservation, Study Abroad

• Participated in Shark Behavior and Conservation Program through Broadreach College • Designed and executed an original research project.