Capstone Project: Leveraging ArcGIS mapping tools to increase local engagement with marine protected areas in the Honduran Bay IslandsRelevant coursework: Ocean Law and Policy, International Biodiversity Policy, Marine Protected Areas, Environmental Economics, Marine GIS, Sustainable Seafood

Sole Director, independently responsible for full-time management of Honduran-registered NGO with the mission of facilitating local marine conservation through scientific research and education. Actively manage team of full-time staff, independent researchers, and short-term rotating research interns.Areas of research managed include whale shark (Rhincodon typus) population dynamics and behavior assessments (specifically in response to unsustainable tourism), invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) behavioral ecology, and long-term reef health assessments which include Caribbean fish diversity, abundance, and size assessments paired with coral cover analysis through planar imaging. Responsible for research vessel management and equipment maintenance. Lead instructor for all research diving, research methodology training, and marine organism identification and ecology lectures. 300+ research dives logged since 2015.MAJOR ACHEIVEMENTS:1. Initiated inter-organizational correspondences with Honduran government agencies to elevate current Honduran whale shark encounter guidelines to legally-enforceable municipal ordinances. Success in these efforts will lead to greater protection of endangered whale sharks within the previously unregulated whale shark tourism sector on Utila. 2. Created a 6-month placement scholarship opportunity for Honduran-nationals seeking experience in marine research and scientific scuba diving, including professional dive training, accommodation, and all research expenses. Scholarship is valued at $10,000 USD.3. Expanded research internship capacity in 2017 by 76% compared to 2015 numbers.4. Created first comprehensive business model of sustainable office practices on-site, with a zero-tolerance for single-use plastics among research staff and interns, and a nurtured culture of education in plastic use and sustainable seafood consumption.

Full-time staff position, reporting to the Director. Assisted management and research staff team in implementing and improving sustainable whale shark (Rhincodon typus) tourism efforts through “Ocean Safari” eco-tours. Additional duties included organization and implementation of volunteer internship program, managing rotating research interns whose experience levels range from high-school education with passions in marine conservation to PhDs seeking practical experience in local marine conservation research. Continued development of research methodology for three main areas of study: local whale shark (Rhincodon typus) population dynamics, invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) management, and long-term reef health assessments. Championed community outreach efforts through environmental education programs in local schools, collaborating with several other local conservation organizations to implement weekly classroom visits leading workshops in pertinent environmental issues.

Ongoing volunteer work for local non-profit dedicated to educating and motivating exceptional high school sophomores in leadership and volunteerism.o 2015 ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Award Recipiento Fundraising Director and volunteer coordinator since 2014o Active member of Corporate Board and Seminar Planning Committee (all volunteer positions)o Seminar staff every year since 2010, attended as student ambassador in 2009

o Conducting general policy research for legislative staffo Conducting policy research on current issues pertaining to Vermont residentso Attending congressional briefings and hearings for legislative staff; compiling and submitting associated briefso Tracking current legislation in Congress, esp. legislation sponsored by the Senator and/or referred to committees on which the Senator sits: Environment and Public Works, Energy and Natural Resources, Health, Education Labor & Pensions (HELP Committee), Budget, Veterans' Affairso Leading tours of the U.S. Capitol for constituentso Handling phone calls from constituents and citizenso Organizing faxes and mailings; scanning and distributing agency response letters to staff; completing basic administrative duties

Lab and field research on “disco clam” (Ctenoides ales). o Aquarium set-up and maintenance; animal husbandryo Trial set-up and design o Data recording in lab and on SCUBA, data entry, data analysis and compilationo Organization of findings in Power Point presentationso Presentation of research project at a local university in Indonesiao Author to publication requested by American Malacological Bulletin (submitted for review)

Marine conservation work with non-profit whose mission is to facilitate conservation through scientific research and education.o Assisting and managing Whale Shark “Ocean Safari” tours: responsibilities include leading snorkel tours, giving environmental presentations to customerso Spearing (on SCUBA) and dissecting of invasive lionfish; collecting relevant datao Implementing first local coral nursery and mangrove restoration projectso Caribbean reef fish, invertebrate, and coral identification o REEF.org: fish identification and abundance surveys on SCUBAo Coral health surveys on SCUBAo Weekly beach cleans, snorkel cleans, “Dive Against Debris” o Training monthly volunteer groups in the above skills and activities

Assisted Principal Investigators in shark research. Worked mainly with 1-7ft lemon and nurse sharks. o Juvenile and adult shark handling, including measuring, tagging, releasing and general husbandry.o Conducting ethogramso Setting gillnets and long-lines for research purposeso Maintenance and repair of all equipmento Fish cleaning and bait preparation o Acoustic marine telemetry o Assisting in shark surgeryo Additional experience in boat operation and maintenance, radio operation and nautical navigation by GPS

Position in Vermont’s lake aquarium resource center, educating visitors of all ages about local natural processes and conservation efforts. o Weekly plankton collection and analysiso Educational presentations to public audiences

Weekly for two semesters. Taught basic science concepts to a class of fifth graders; majority of students came from underprivileged backgrounds and spoke English as a second language.