Melissa Halstead Email & Phone Number

I am supporting the Directorate for Geosciences at the National Science Foundation where I contribute to their communications.

Wrote pieces describing newly published scientific studies for a general public. Translated technical scientific papers and language into easily understandable articles.

Collections assistant specializing in the ornithological and mammalian collections. Performed avian egg conservation specializing in repairing broken eggs of all species. Managed a collection of over 11,000 egg specimens. Worked on formally digitizing the collection for public access.

Scientific communicator to the general New Haven community. Wrote, graphically designed, and presented presentation titled, "What is wrong about rocks? Common misconceptions about geology" to public libraries across New Haven.

Ft. Negley, Nashville Tn

Taught local elementary students and adults about Nashville geology and interpretation during field trips to Ft. Negley.

On call heath consultant for avian care. Assisted in data collection and animal care. Focusing on the effects of stress on song learning behavior in zebra finches. Responsible for the care and observation of 100 subjects

Independently planned, executed, and analyzed a field study investigating the influence of white-lipped peccaries on nitrogen and phosphorous soil cycling in the Cerrado region of Brazil and at Caetetus Ecological Station in the state of São Paulo Brazil. Performed statistical tests using R. Coordinated a team of local researchers and taught the skills necessary for this soil testing method to be used by the local team in the future. Investigated the influence of time since last peccary visit on soil nutrients based off of telemetry tracking data of peccary herds. Created a metanalysis on enclosure techniques for peccaries.

Studied the effects of habitat fragmentation on endemic weta within a subalpine native ecosystem. Performed field research using "weta motels", traps designed to capture weta for identification and tracking purposes, across the Southern Alps. Performed data mapping and visualization using ArcGIS and ArcMap. Poster presented at Ecological Society of American Conference 2018

Tonga

Collected baseline reef health data and sea cucumber population statistics along the Sopu crest and around the island of A’tata. Specialized in reef fish identification and seagrass species transect surveys. Worked with community members of A’tata village to help teach local individuals technical skills related to the project in order for them to continue the research in the future. Presented this research, both formally and informally, to the community of A’tata and to the Ministry of Fisheries board members.

Cared for a collection of over 300 animals including mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Gave daily conservation communication presentations to the public and participated in question-and-answer sessions with the guests to the zoo.

Gave daily conservation communication presentations to the public. Answered any conservation or bird related questions that guests had.

Masters Of Envrionmental Science, Wildlife Science

Bachelor'S Of Arts, Earth And Environmental S