Laura Crane Email & Phone Number

Wells, Maine

• Coordinate and conduct monitoring for a variety of research projects including long-term monitoring of salt marsh vegetation, larval fish populations, invasive and range-expanding species, and water quality.• Mentor, supervise, train, and manage interns, seasonal staff, and volunteers in the field and lab.• Manage complex databases and analyze data using R statistical software and Microsoft Excel.• Communicate scientific research findings via education and outreach programs, scientific publications, and conference presentations.

Wells, Maine, United States

Taught Intro to Environmental Science lecture online. Developed and taught a new field-based lab section for Intro to Environmental Science. Co-taught Intro to Marine Biology in-person.

Greater Philadelphia Area

• Monitor marsh recovery by quantifying vegetative and invertebrate species, measuring sediment bearing capacity, and using surface elevation tables and marker horizons to monitor elevation changes.• Communicate and coordinate with project partners on large-scale marsh restoration projects. • Plan and lead field days, and supervise technicians in the field and office. • Develop monitoring protocols for marsh restoration and living shoreline projects and assist in project site selection.• Analyze data using R statistical software and ArcGIS, and summarize results in written reports.• Run desktop analyses and assist in the NJ Chapter’s strategic planning process to set goals and objectives for 2020-2025.

Dartmouth, Ma

• Proposed, designed, and implemented an independent research project to determine the conditions under which the invasive Asian shore crab cannibalizes and how this may impact recruitment.• Reared crab larvae in the lab from brooding females collected from the field.• Identified crabs in the field to compare population densities of several species at sites in MA and RI.• Measured cannibalism rates between crabs of different size classes with varying food availability.• Identified crab larvae to measure levels of Asian shore crab recruitment to field cages.• Performed statistical analyses using R statistical software.• Collaborated with graduate students, professors, and interns at UMass and Manhattan College.• Supervised and mentored undergraduate summer interns.

Dartmouth, Ma

• Teach one laboratory section of Anatomy & Physiology, and assist the TA in another section.• Proctor lecture exams and lab practicals.• Help students to understand the class material and achieve their full academic potential.• Train students in proper use of scientific equipment.• Evaluate student performance.

Lawrenceville, Nj

• Dissected blue crabs and measured masses of seminal fluid, spermatophores, and ovaries to compare reproductive characteristics of blue crabs from different parts of Barnegat Bay.• Measured and determined viabilities of individual blue crab eggs from different parts of Barnegat Bay.• Estimated the average egg density of blue crab broods.

Tuckerton, Nj

• Trained new interns and assisted them with all responsibilities.• Worked independently to transport crab samples and complete other tasks.• Dissected male and female blue crabs and measured the masses of seminal fluid, spermatophores, and ovaries to compare the reproductive characteristics of blue crabs from different parts of Barnegat Bay.• Completed all tasks listed below in addition to these new responsibilities.

• Proposed, designed, and implemented an independent research project that sought evidence of competition between native and invasive shrimp species for habitat space.• Collected and identified shrimp species along Long Island coasts to compare habitat preferences and tidal variations between native and invasive species of grass and sand shrimp.• Performed statistical analyses using Systat.• Collaborated with graduate students, professors, and interns at LIU-Post and Rider University.

Brookville, Ny

• Assisted graduate students and interns with their research in the field and in the laboratory.• Collected, identified, and dissected grass shrimp to survey the presence of an invasive species along the coasts of Long Island and to compare levels of parasitism among native and invasive grass shrimp.• Performed laboratory experiments comparing the behaviors of native and invasive grass shrimp.• Collected, identified, and dissected snails under a microscope to compare levels and effects of parasitism in the barnacle ecotype and typical ecotype of the snail L. saxatilis.• Supervised and mentored other interns and volunteers in the laboratory and in the field.

Tuckerton, Nj

• Collected blue crabs throughout Barnegat Bay and recorded species, size, sex, molt stage, and reproductive characteristics to study effects of shoreline development on blue crab populations.• Identified species caught in otter trawls to study effects of shoreline development on species diversity.• Used a plankton net to collect, identify, and separate different species of ichthyoplankton.• Used cylinder sampling technique and identified and measured organisms caught to compare species diversity and blue crab abundance inside and outside the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone.• Tagged and released adult blue crabs to study their migration patterns.• Monitored blue crab brood production to study effect of food availability and crab size on reproduction.

Master’S Degree, Marine Biology, 3.8

Activities and Societies: Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society

Bachelor’S Degree, Marine Sciences, Minor In Biology, 3.9

Activities and Societies: Baccalaureate Honors Program; Freshman Science Honors Program; Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) National Biological.

Education record