Mara Skadden Email & Phone Number

Palm Bay, Florida, United States

Developing and deploying innovative shoreline stabilization products that build small structures to support and hold mangroves in place until they root and stabilize. Coordinating and implementing the Concrete Creations program at Marine Resources Council including supply inventory and ordering, coordinating volunteer support, construction, deployment of creations, and budgeting. Collecting data on sediment quality and infauna biodiversity with Dr. Kevin Johnson (FIT) on sites including Marine Resources Council and Kennedy Space Center to monitor breakwater sediment accretion and its impacts on benthic biodiversity.

Amherst, Wisconsin

Working alongside Dr. Sandra Walter, Dr. Richard Piwoni, and Dr. Shannon Sowka, assist by taking appointments, maintaining the kennels and in-house patients, and helping with patient care. Duties include assisting in restraint, blood draws, vaccinations, x-rays, ultrasounds, surgical procedures, anesthesia monitoring and recovery, and working directly with owners. Also help perform lab work including complete blood counts, urinalysis, diagnostic profiles, and routine blood work such as heart worm tests, tick panels, and feline leukemia tests.

Animal behavior focused research on the cacophonous aggregation behavior of Western scrub-jays. Data collection was done using microscopy and computer programs to analyze the Zenk and c-Fos activity in the brains of western scrub-jays.

Research into the life-history evolution of side-blotched lizards as it pertains to the effects of winter energy storage on survival. Conducting background research into the literature on lipids as an energy storage molecule with special focus on overwintering biology. Creating an annotated bibliography of the relevant literature to summarize what is known about the topic. Performing lipid extractions as a means of quantifying the energetic content of experimental animals. Testing the hypothesis that lizards with lower energy content have decreased probability of surviving the winter.

Working with the Wisconsin DOT and DNR to minimize turtle fatalities on a mortality hot-spot on HWY 66. Collecting population data and working with a construction crew to ensure the safety of nesting females and any other turtles in the vicinity.

Setting up labs, utilizing solution chemistry, and working with students for two sessions of Chemistry is a Blast and Chemistry of Medicine

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Biological Oceanography

Master Of Science - Ms, Conservation Technology, 4.0

Bachelor’S Degree, Biology, General

Activities and Societies: Volunteer at Portage County Humane Society, Pre-Veterinary Club