Erinn Raftery Email & Phone Number

Ocean Gases LaboratoryIn this chemical oceanography laboratory, I plan field expeditions and coordinate shipping, preparing equipment, and other logistics with research partners. I diagnose and repair problems associated with vacuum lines, pumps, and a MAT 253 mass spectrometer such as leaks, faulty parts or pneumatic valves. I analyze the stable isotope ratios of gas samples and standards using a MAT253 isotope ratio mass spectrometer, and ensure quality control by monitoring mixed gas standards. I train students and collaborators in field sampling methods, laboratory procedures, analysis techniques, and equipment operation. I apply university and provincial policies in-lab to ensure safety requirements are up-to-code. I have learned nearly all of the above on-the-job, and continue to grow my lab management skillset.

University Of Victoria

In this challenging temporary assignment, I co-ordinated and taught the geochemistry and oceanography labs in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences. I worked independently and alongside professors and TAs to develop and implement course content that focused on practical skills, both within the classroom and wet laboratory and in the field. I trained graduate and undergraduate students in these skills, and managed TAs and work-study students. I planned field campaigns, and ensured their safe execution. I managed student registration, scheduling issues, safety concerns, and policy issues as they arose. In this position, the new management skills I learned were complemented by my pre-existing interpersonal and laboratory skills.

EOS 240 - Geochemistry & EOS 110 - Oceans and AtmosphereI presented and explained laboratory content to students on a weekly basis, organized laboratory equipment and instructed students on proper use, and led a part-day field trip to collect water or sediment samples for geochemical or grain-size analysis. I also marked exams, reports, projects, and provided feedback.

Gas Tracers Laboratory, Saanich Inlet Redox ExperimentI performed data analysis to generate materials fit for scientific publication and presentation on samples that I had previously collected and analyzed. I processed ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, Winkler oxygen, and CTD data in Microsoft Excel and MatLab and used ancillary data from Ocean Networks Canada to aid in data anaylsis and interpretation. I contributed figures to documents used for cruise reports, presentations, publications, and grant applications. I began writing a journal article as primary author on the oxygen and sulphide data I collected during the Saanich Inlet Redox Experiment.

EOS 240 - GeochemistryAs an undergraduate student, I was asked to teach a second-year lab section given my expertise in the field (a job normally reserved for graduate students).I presented and explained laboratory content to students on a weekly basis, organized laboratory equipment and instructed students on proper use, and led a part-day field trip to collect water samples for geochemical analysis. I also marked exams, reports, projects, and provided feedback.

Gas Tracers LaboratoryI researched and performed experimental work to develop and refine spectrophotometric protocols for low-level oxygen and hydrogen sulphide measurements in seawater, and determined the concentration of redox-sensitive species in seawater using spectrophotometry, fluorometry, and titration methods.I was involved in the Saanich Inlet Redox Project - a a year-long oceanographic time-series designed to probe questions about biologically facilitated chemical reactions in an oxygen minimum zone. This involved planning the cruises and coordinating equipment, sampling, training; going out into the field to collect samples; analyzing the samples; summarizing the metadata associated with each cruise into a database for collaborators to use, and interpreting the data for scientific presentation and publication.During this time I was also trained on the MAT 253 mass spectrometer for stable isotope analysis.

EOS 240 Geochemistry & general SEOS lab workI prepared reagents for a second-year geochemistry lab and assisted with teaching duties during lab time. I performed an inventory of pH probes and meters, thoroughly investigated the working quality of all items, created a database for future updates to the pH meter inventory and working quality, and gave recommendations for future work based off of my data collection.

Paleoenvironmental / Marine Palynology LaboratoryI prepared and extracted microfossils from sediment samples using digestion, sieving, decanting, and centrifuge techniques. I complied various laboratory and environmental data.I developed a loss-on-ignition protocol to determine the organic carbon content in marine sediments - including research, experiment design, laboratory work, and writing a report with a detailed protocol on my findings.

Bachelor Of Science (Hons), Geological And Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Activities and Societies: Member of the General Assembly of Students of Earth and Ocean Sciences (GASEOS).

Mathematics, Earth Materials

Chemistry, Geography

Chemistry Student's Society (CHEMSOC) Secretary and Web Master (2009-2010).