Skillsets

My years spent working as a polar diver around the Antarctic peninsula and training to be a submersible pilot have driven my passion for both Antarctic seafloor and deep seafloor ecosystems. I particularly like benthic invertebrates! It is my long-term goal to integrate my academic research and my expedition field strengths to create some out-of-the-box research and exploration opportunities. My current research focuses on species distribution modelling of Antarctic continental self benthos and working to create standard operating procedures for collecting quantitative seafloor image data from manned submersibles. I’m currently on the hunt for a PhD program in similar fields, so please reach out if you know of any opportunities!

Certifications:

-Emergency First Response

-NOLS wilderness First Aid Responder

-US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner—modified zodiac permit

-Oregon boaters license

-Yearly rifle training (since 2016)

-USA driving license & passport

-Yearly AECO & IAATO polar guide exams

-PADI OW SCUBA instructor

-Polar diver/H-valve use

-PADI Drysuit

Computer Skills:

-Lightroom, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro

-Microsoft office suite

-Working knowledge of R Studio (Species Distribution Modelling, working with spatial rasters, statistical analyses)

-Working knowledge of ArcGIS (creating 3D bathymetric maps and plotting transect points)

-Lecture creation

Field Skills:

-SCUBA (all conditions)

-Dive planning & dive safety

-Manned submersible piloting

-Quadrat & transect surveys

-Liaison between field departments

-Leading groups/group management

-Recreational ROV use

-UW photography/videography

-Zodiac (inflatable Boat with outboard motor) driving in challenging conditions: ice, strong winds, strong currents, stern landings

-GPS navigation

-Quickly adapting to changing conditions/problem solving

-Staying calm in high-pressure situations

-Reading maps & charts

Lab Skills:

Though I don’t currently work with physical samples in a lab, I have formal lab educational training (and have previously worked in labs) which included: PCR, spectrophotometry, centrifugation, microscopy, gel electrophoresis, western blotting, dilutions, titrations. I’m interested in incorporating eDNA sampling into my ongoing benthic biodiversity studies.