Conducted field surveys for Michigan’s rare, threatened, and endangered flora and fauna (e.g., bumble bees, rattlesnakes, butterflies, moths, turtles, mussels). Entered and updated data in Michigan’s natural heritage database. Aided in the Michigan Vernal Pool Patrol education effort in which I taught and created materials for volunteers and the public. Wrote species abstracts, status of species, and conducted Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments for Michigan’s rare/threatened bat species. Gained experience with Biotics5, natural heritage methodology, ArcGIS Pro, Survey123, FieldMaps, and StoryMaps.

Actively managed a population of red swamp crayfish in southwest Michigan by hand-capturing, trapping, and dip netting. Caught and euthanized over 1000 crayfish from the population during two seasons. Attached radio trackers to select adult crayfish and used radio telemetry to track their movements. Measured, sexed, and assessed maturity of every crayfish and submitted data to the DNR. Began as a volunteer in 2022 and returned as a seasonal employee in 2023.

Created and presented lectures, taught students lab techniques, created assignments, and graded. Taught a diverse array of students with different backgrounds and various levels of biological understanding. Taught topics such as parasitology, urban ecology, macroinvertebrate bioindicator surveys, pollinator surveys, dissections, native and non-native plant identification, sound ecology, etc. Classes taught: Biology Laboratory (non-majors), Ecology and Evolution (biology majors), Cell and Molecular Biology (biology majors), Human Physiology

Aided the professor in teaching and answering student questions about dissections, anatomy, proper microscope techniques, parasites, etc. Classes taught: Parasitology and Comparative Anatomy