Sofia Schembari Email & Phone Number

New York, Ny, Us

Teach and write curricula for middle and high school classes at the museum.

Brooklyn, New York, Us

Teach four sixth grade science classes (~120 students) covering engineering, forces, energy, and climate. Plan all lessons and create student-facing materials in accordance with NY and Next Generation Science Standards. Lead weekly grade team meetings, and use student work, assessment data, professional development, and close communication with families and other faculty to support all students’ academic and social/emotional needs. Develop advisory curriculum for the 6th grade team and act as an advisor to 15 students, meeting daily for 45 minutes.

Learned to individually identify over 150 wild capuchins (Cebus capucinus) from eight habituated social groups. Memorized project codes and syntax information for rapid data collection using Android phones and Dictaphones, and edited both personal and previous researchers' data using Microsoft Excel and project database. Performed all-day follows of preselected focal animals, collected group scan, census, and ad libitum data on all individuals, recorded GPS tracking of groups each day, and obtained monthly phenology data. Managed all aspects of the project while PI Dr. Susan Perry (UCLA) is offsite, including accounting, scheduling, housekeeping, and community outreach.

New York, Ny, Us

Taught a variety of natural history classes from multiple curricula, including biology, anthropology, and ecology. Assisted with weeklong summer camps, weekly classes, and one-day workshops in classroom settings, museum halls, and on field trips, leading lessons and hands-on activities for classes as large as thirty students. Worked with all age groups from preschool to adult levels, adapting teaching style and lessons appropriately. Regularly attended trainings and lectures to expand knowledge in scientific and environmental content areas

New York, Ny, Us

Worked on processing the Duprey Shell Collection, which had been in the museum’s storage but never incorporated into the rest of the museum’s collection. Identified each individual specimen and created labels detailing genus, species, and specific locality information. Catalogued the information for each specimen into the museum’s databases. Organized the specimens into drawers according to evolutionary relationships.

New York, Ny, Us

Managed a group of about 100 Columbia students dedicated to college access and diversity, by facilitating meetings and trainings, directing events, and creating informative resources for current and prospective students. Presented weekly hour-long information sessions about Columbia to groups of up to 500 people. Regularly engaged with diverse communities around NYC by guiding general campus tours and college access tours, staffing events for prospective students and families, interviewing Columbia applicants, and hosting admitted students. Acted as a resource to students interested in studying the sciences at Columbia, by guiding science tours with lab visits, speaking on STEM panels, and reaching out to connect with individual applicants.

New York, Ny, Us

Worked closely with Admissions office to plan, prepare, and host Columbia’s undergraduate admitted student events. Directed hundreds of current student volunteers and visiting students and families during event programming. Coordinated specific events involving multiple parties, such as activities fairs and special interest guided tours. Created and updated informative resources about Columbia and New York City for prospective students and families

Learned to individually identify over 35 blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis) based on natural features. Located and followed the group daily, performing 30 minute focal follows of priority subject animals, collecting census data on all individuals, and recording ad libitum data on social interactions such as sex and aggression. Used long-term project data for independent senior thesis research project on male blue monkey sexual behavior. Experienced living and working in a rural community with Kenyan field assistants and minimal modern conveniences.

East Stroudsburg , Pennsylvania, Us

Tested tick samples for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases using PCR and gel electrophoresis techniques. Performed necropsies on a variety of small mammals and tested tissue for diseases using the same processes. Assisted with field work of sedating and obtaining DNA samples from wild black bears to build lab databases. Worked with data input using Microsoft Excel and kept accurate written records of procedures and test results

Tannersville, Pa, Us

Responded to medical and trauma emergencies at Camelbeach Waterpark and Camelback Mountain Adventures Park. Frequently treated heat related emergencies, abrasions, lacerations, and dislocations, and gained experience treating seizures, spinal emergencies, skeletal fractures, respiratory distress, and more. Educated patients about their conditions and answered any questions so that they could make informed decisions. Staffed the First Aid room by treating guests, writing incident reports, and taking inventory of supplies

Master'S Degree, Secondary Education And Teaching

Bachelor’S Degree, Evolutionary Biology; Biology