Working as a Clinical Laboratory Technician at Labcorp, I conduct Estrogen and Diabetes testing. Duties include processing samples, database management/analysis, conducting testing, and verifying results in a busy lab environment. I process serum and blood samples timely, making sure the database is routinely up to date and problem samples are entered and processed correctly. I manually pipet hundreds of samples per day in a controlled environment. I assess the laboratory's quality control using standard laboratory tests and measurement controls, ensuring that all safety and risk-management requirements are met. I investigate abnormal results using established guidelines and determine necessary steps to resolve them. I maintain a clean and tidy workspace, and work with a diverse workforce. Clear communication is essential working in an active laboratory environment.

I led over 30 private tours and over 40 public tours for groups coming to visit the park. I am trained to enter tours and programs into the state run database. I submitted write ups for new interpretive signs for a new trail series along our most popular trail. Working with the Rockbridge County school system, I designed weekly after school outreach programs for first through fifth graders for the next 6 months. I helped set up and run our Dark Sky dedication ceremony, and I conducted multiple night sky programs which I created while during my AmeriCorps service for the park. I designed and led hiking tours and wildlife outreach events. I helped coordinate volunteer events, and led volunteer programs at the park. I designed and led large special events at the park with attendances in the thousands. Also I regularly ran our "base camp" in the visitor center, as well as conduct roves along our trails to teach guests about the history, geology, and wildlife in the park. I left this position to accomplish a lifelong dream of thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.

I successfully completed 1,200 hours of service as a member of AmeriCorps at Natural Bridge State Park. During my time there I completed certifications in wilderness first aid, wildland firefighting, naturalist interpretation, as well as finished OSHA trainings and passed FEMA courses. In my first few weeks, I assisted in renovating and painting the park's trail store and hand built new cabinets. I also single handedly re-decked a 40 ft. bridge in the park. I did routine vehicle maintenance on state park vehicles and worked a significant amount of time as a contact ranger in a customer service role. I trained new contact rangers on the POS system and register, as well as opened and closed registers daily. I created monetary quotes for contract work around the park, and contacted and met with contractors to complete these tasks. I completed considerable grounds and building maintenance around the park including trail work, mowing with a propane powered zero turn mower, walk/ride behind mower, and weed eater, renovated buildings, built bridges, completed small and large engine maintenance and repair, done janitorial duties, completed electrical and plumbing tasks, built cabinetry, and kept a clean and efficient workspace. I also managed a crew of 8 NCCC volunteers for 2 months while they lived and worked in the park. This included managing schedules and planning day to day tasks as well as training in the effective use of park maintenance tools. I supervised and assisted them in building a new trial in the park and during the building of a new group campsite. As a certified interpreter, I have given wildlife and history talks about the park as well as led multiple interpretive programs and tour groups. I also single handedly created and led (multiple times) the Dark Sky program at Natural Bridge.

I was selected to attend the FAA's Air Traffic Control Trainee Program, and for eight months I learned the basics of Air Traffic. I learned to conduct both non-radar and radar functions of maintaining safe and efficient control, as well as effective communication between agencies.

During a one year contract as a Biological Technician for Tetra Tech, I was responsible for implementing post-construction avian and bat mortality monitoring research for EDP Renewables’ wind farm in Waverly Kansas. For this position, I adhered to standardized protocols and kept detailed datasheets. This included identifying species (usually from trace remnants), sampling, as well as taking detailed measurements of specimens and recording environmental data. All research was done on-site, necessitating walking up to 15 miles per day while working in diverse environmental conditions. I also planned and completed monthly interpretive outreach programs with the community of Waverly county to inform the public about our research and goals. Microsoft Excel and Word word were used for data entry and planning purposes.

Working as a Field Researcher for the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, I conducted population counts for the endangered Mexican Spotted Owl. Working in all conditions in the unmaintained wilderness of Arizona's Tonto and Coronado National Forests, and mostly off of any trails, physical fitness, GIS skills, and back-country resourcefulness, and good communication were also crucial for safe and efficient work in the field. I worked mainly at night in the unmaintained backcountry of Arizona's Tonto and Coronado National Forests. Myself and a crew member carried speakers with various Mexican Spotted Owl calls, and callback data were collected for both male and female. Eighteen other owls were also required to be recorded when observed, as well as gender recognition from the calls.

For this position I researched the effect on population dynamics of grassland birds caused by patch burn vs. rotational grazing for cattle. As the Crew Lead, it was my responsibility to plan all day to day activities for myself and two technicians, as well as keep in contact with 4 separate supervisory committees. For the field research, I collected avian data, as well as physical samples of the native grasses. The main focus of the field work consisted of nest searching and taking survival statistics, but also included point counts, multiple types of vegetation sampling, maintaining patch-burn projects, as well as maintaining livestock. On the managerial side, I trained both technicians how to use our field equipment and UTV. I also kept track of all data records and made sure my technician’s data were properly entered and submitted in a timely manner. Microsoft Office and Excel were used throughout for planning and data entry purposes. Garmins were also used for mapping field data reporting.

This research project included 22 nest boxes within a 26 mileUnder the tutelage of Dr. Fred J. Alsop III the project included 22 nest boxes within a 26 milestudy area. In the first year, it was my responsibility to build and place nest boxes, check nest boxes,monitor kestrel activity, and take point counts in our study area. In the second year I became thestudent leader of the program. My responsibilities increased to include organizing the group boxchecks and point counts, running day to day operations, as well as aggregating data and providing survival statistics. Also, as part of my undergraduate Honors thesis, I mapped the nest boxes in the study area. From this, I was able to re-evaluate nest box positions, allowing the addition of nest boxes to the research area and streamlining the checking process.

The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are Federal programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. ETSU's Student Support Services (SSS) is a TRIO program designed to provide free tutoring to underrepresented, minority, and disabled college students. As a tutor it was my duty to help teach Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Math, and English to students that meet SSS criteria. It was my responsibility to create one on one lesson plans that met my tutees needs and to carry them out in a safe and understanding environment.

During my time as an Honors student at ETSU, I had the opportunity to work and gain experience in multiple labs. Each rotation was a 4 month placement. These lab rotations taught me not just general laboratory cleanliness and safety procedures, but also allowed me to learn the specialized techniques required for varying labs. For example, working in a plant lab studying salicylic acid production, I learned how to make and run electrophoresis gels, how to conduct nutrient analysis, and how to conduct DNA spectrophotometry. While working in a laboratory at our medical campus, I worked in a lab conducting research on post surgical inflammation where I learned animal husbandry for the mice being researched as well as bone marrow extraction techniques and mass spectrometry. These are just two examples of the eight labs I was able to work in during my time at ETSU.