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.

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