Field Experience

BELIZE RAINFOREST AND REEF FIELD COURSE (2019)

In 2019, I had the chance to go on a field course in Belize. I was there to further study neotropical ecology, expanding on some concepts I had started to familiarize myself with on my first field course to Costa Rica (see below), and I got to observe some very interesting ecosystems such as the lowland broadleaf forests and pine savannas as well. On this field course I even got the chance to snorkel the Belize Barrier Reef!

When I first arrived in Belize, I went to St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park on the way to T.R.E.E.S. (Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society). At T.R.E.E.S I spent the majority of my time working on a small research project with two other classmates studying benthic invertebrates and their distribution in different microhabitats of streams (riffles, glides and pools) based on their functional guild. Also at T.R.E.E.S I participated in some bird banding workshops and bat mist netting. Below are some pictures of St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park and T.R.E.E.S.



After T.R.E.E.S I went to Billy Hawk Marine Station, where I snorkelled on the barrier reef and surrounding patch reefs. I saw many different types of coral and fish. I also went on a night snorkel which I cannot recommend enough if you ever have the chance! Everything looks so different at night and there is so much more that you are able to experience. Some highlights that we saw were: trumpetfish, lionfish, parrot fish, squirrel fish, lots of different angelfish, spotted eagle rays, yellow stingrays, box jellyfish, a reef squid, common octopus, dolphins, spiny lobsters, and giant crabs. Here are pictures taken around the marine station (below).



Upon leaving the marine station, we then went to Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Preserve. There we spent some time river tubing and hiking. By completing the Ben's Bluff Trail at the park, we were able to see a pine savanna ecosystem. Another place that we visited after the marine station was Five Blues Lake National Park where we went hiking, swimming, and caving.

Lastly, we finished off the course by also seeing some of the culture of Belize by taking a trip to the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve to see the Mayan Ruins.


COSTA RICA RAINFOREST AND REEF FIELD COURSE (2017)

In 2017, I had the opportunity to go on a field course studying Neotropical Ecology in Costa Rica. Please enjoy some pictures, stories, observations of different biota observed, and research that was done while on the course! First, we started by heading towards the Caribbean coast, to Cahuita, to conduct coral reef research projects. (Below Cahuita)



Sergeant Major fish were the focus of my coral reef research project. For the project, I worked with three other classmates to test Sergeant Major fish behaviours in response to different levels of predator disturbances. Qualitative observations were recorded with regards to how the fish behaved. We also made quantitative observations as to whether or not there were differences between the number of adult and juvenile Sergeant Major fish that stayed on coral patches in response to predators, and the number that would flee. Different levels of predator attacks were simulated as well to see if that had an effect on fish behaviour.

The coral reef research project was the main focus of the first stop in Cahuita, however we also had time for hikes where we observed a wide range of biota. Please enjoy some pictures below of a sloth and a rainbow eucalyptus tree!



After an incredible first few days in Cahuita, we then travelled to a remote location called the Parismina Turtle Research Center. There, I helped protect Leatherback turtles from poachers as they lay their eggs on the beach. Below is a picture of the black sand beaches (due to volcanic ash) at the research station and blue crabs near the turtle egg hatchery.



Next, I got to experience a cloud forest ecosystem when we travelled up through the Talamanca mountain range. It was very interesting to observe the changes in vegetation and animals present, as well as the drastic temperature change compared to the lowland broadleaf forests. This is also where we were able to observe the beautiful Quetzal. (Below Left: Cloud Forest, Right: Waterfall hike)



Lastly, we travelled to Drake Bay where we were able to compare the Pacific coast to the Caribbean coast through snorkelling expeditions to Cano Island. I also got the chance to hike through Corcovado National Park. Below are some pictures from the hike and also pictures from the tent camp where we stayed.


Work Experience

GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT - INTRODUCTORY ZOOLOGY

University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON (Sept 2021-Dec 2021)


GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT - VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY

University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON (Jan 2021-Apr 2021)


GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT - HUMAN ANATOMY

University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON (Sept 2020-Dec 2020)


UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT - INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY

University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON (Sept 2019-Dec 2019)

  • Conducted weekly laboratory sessions for a third-year invertebrate zoology class by assisting students, preparing laboratory dissection demonstrations, and running small field sample collection days

AQUATIC ECOLOGY LAB TECHNICIAN

Hall Lab, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON (May 2019-Aug 2019)

  • Accurately performed paleolimnological analyses including loss on ignition, carbon/nitrogen and stable isotopes, Pb-210 dating, and diatom analysis on sediment cores
  • Helped conduct fieldwork in the Peace River-Athabasca Delta area in Northern Alberta, collecting sediment cores and water samples as well as conducting water chemistry for lakes via helicopter
  • Synthesized information obtained from lab work to understand changing lake conditions year-to-year

RESEARCH ASSISTANT IN GREENHOUSE IPM AND ENTOMOLOGY

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Harrow Research and Development Center, Harrow, ON (Jan 2019-Apr 2019 and Sept 2017-Dec 2017)

  • Trained to safely operate and use an autoclave as well as apply and mix pesticides as designated by the certification through the Grower Pesticide Safety Course (GPSC)
  • Practiced in both chemical and biocontrol methods for managing insect pests
  • Regularly monitored pH and electrical conductivity of water samples from greenhouse irrigation
  • Successfully reared and maintained insect colonies allowing for new research project opportunities
  • Effectively performed an individual research project on trap plants for greenhouse pests and provided the basis for a larger collaborative project; designing a line of transgenic plants
  • Completed a course on qPCR and performed PCR reactions to identify species of insects
  • Progressed research field collection skills by; performing weekly surveys for specific insects at multiple sites by setting up new traps, insect IDs and processing collected insects into Excel spreadsheets

OPERATIONS LEAD AND ONLINE TUTOR

360 Educations Lab Inc., Kitchener, ON (Jan 2017-Apr 2017)

  • Polished time-management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks by dealing with customer service aspects of the company, tutoring, and performing academic assessments
  • Tracked the results of over 400 missed calls received in a two-month period to increase enrollment rates
  • Refined communication skills by explaining the academic assessment results to students and parents

SUMMER STUDENT

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Cambridge, ON (May 2016-Aug 2016)

  • Polished time-management skills by working in a timed environment installing parts
  • Carefully followed all safety regulations and standardized work procedures
  • Refined communication skills by explaining any mistakes in a precise and efficient manner

OFFICE ASSOCIATE

Grand River Collegiate Institute of the Waterloo Region District School Board, Kitchener, Ontario (Jun 2014-Aug 2015)

  • Developed customer service skills working in the office and while distributing report cards
  • Refined organizational skills while developing a method to store over two thousand books
  • Developed an attention for detail while repairing and taking inventory of the books

SKI INSTRUCTOR

Chicopee Ski Club, Kitchener, Ontario (Dec 2013-Mar 2015)

  • Learned how to adapt to different situations and alter teaching methods while instructing children and adults of all ages during private and group ski lessons
  • Reinforced critical time-management skills by dealing with multiple lessons daily
  • Polished communication skills in order to give constructive feedback

SOCCER REFEREE

City of Kitchener Soccer Club, Kitchener, Ontario (Jun 2011-Aug 2012)

  • Acted as an assistant referee and head referee for soccer games with players ages 9-18
  • Developed communication skills as it was critical to communicate with the other members that you were working with (like the head referee and other assistant referee)
  • Developed problem resolution skills and the ability to think quickly as there were conflicts that would arise between players on the field

Laboratory Experience

SENIOR UNDERGRADUATE THESIS PROJECT - Craig Lab

Sept 2019-Apr 2020

  • Processed and analyzed eDNA water samples for Arctic charr to track fish migration in Northern Canada
  • Techniques involved eDNA extraction, and qPCR to test for the presence of Arctic charr DNA in lakes
  • Quality control for the project was diligently considered in primer validations using PCR and gel electrophoresis, as well as any inhibition or integrity tests for extracted DNA
  • Written proposal completed, thesis and project presentation completed, with a 94% average in the course
  • Attended Rice Lake Physiology and Biochemistry Workshop and completed a poster presentation

FUNCTIONAL HISTOLOGY LAB

Jan 2018-Apr 2018

  • Carefully identified the major types of tissue found in the body (epithelium, connective, muscle and nerve)
  • Learned to identify different cell types found throughout the tissues of the body
  • From the above skills, learned how to recognize organs from tissues, and then organ systems from the organs that are present


    • The above pictures are of hyaline cartilage (left) and the inner elastic lamina (right).


VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY LAB

Jan 2018-Apr 2018

  • Refined dissection skills as well as practiced identifying various anatomy structures for improved comparisons of vertebrate species like amphibians, reptiles, birds, and fish (including bony fish, cartilaginous fish and jawless fish)
  • Further refined team-work and communication skills as labs were performed in partners and small groups, and a group presentation was performed at the end of the laboratory session

BIOCHEMISTRY LAB

Jan 2018-Apr 2018

  • Separated amino acid samples by IEX Chromatography and purified them using an SDS page
  • Practiced accurate transfer of volumes using graduated pipettes and Eppendorf pipettes while creating a dilution series that was then tested for accuracy using absorbance readings

HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY 1 AND 2 LABS

May 2017-Aug 2017, Jan 2018-Apr 2018

  • Effectively learned how to identify different types of blood cells including red and white, as well as differentiating different types of white blood cells
  • Learned how to effectively use LabScribe and iWorx software to study subject’s lung volumes, heart rates, muscle reflexes

MICROBIOLOGY AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY LABS

Sept 2016-Dec 2016, May 2017-Aug 2017

  • Effectively prepared a variety of stains such as Gram, Acid-Fast, Positive and Negative, and correctly interpreted the meanings of the results for biologicals up to class Level 2
  • Prepared spread plates, streak plates and pour plates to study microbial growth and antibiotic resistances
  • Performed accurate tests for water quality, geochemical cycling and the processes that microorganisms in soil carry out (ie. nitrification, ammonification etc.)

INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY LAB

Sept 2016-Dec 2016

  • Identified a wide range of invertebrates including insects, crustaceans and echinoderms by collecting specimens during field days and analyzing laboratory samples
  • Carefully and accurately dissected a squid, grasshopper, and other small invertebrates
  • Polished life history analysis of arthropods by distinguishing between adult and juvenile life stages

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB

Sept 2016-Dec 2016

  • Carefully separated organic substances, performed Grignard reactions, William Ether Synthesis reactions, and became very efficient at using separatory funnels
  • Effectively determined the identity of organic substances by testing melting points and solubility
  • WHMIS certified and has wet lab experience as lots of different chemicals were used regularly

CHEMICAL REACTIONS AND EQUILIBRIA LAB

Jan 2016-Apr 2016

  • Prepared three different buffer solutions
  • Measured and graphed the strength of the buffers that were determined through titrations
  • Learned how to use and operate pH meters to monitor the acidity and basicity of the solutions

BOTANY LAB

Jan 2016-Apr 2016

  • Prepared slides of plant tissue with staining for contrast and observation under the microscope
  • Studied phototropism and gravitropism through time-lapse videos
  • Observed the effects of touch on plants and ethene production

CELL BIOLOGY LAB

Sept 2015-Dec 2015

  • Studied and executed the Benedict’s test, the Iodine test and the Biuret test against 11 known substances and an unknown substance that was later hypothesized
  • Became efficient at using lab equipment such as spectrophotometers and centrifuges

Volunteer Experience

VETERINARY TECHNICIAN ASSISTANT

Kingsdale Animal Hospital, Kitchener, Ontario (Apr 2016-Aug 2016)

  • 47 hours of volunteering that included caring for both dogs and cats being boarded
  • Held animals with the proper technique for small procedures, such as blood tests

SKI APPRENTICE

Chicopee Ski Club, Kitchener, Ontario (Jan 2012-Mar 2013)

  • Communicated effectively with ski and snowboard instructors throughout the lessons
  • Managed time to support staff and children during instruction
  • Ensured the safety of children during lessons while riding the chair lift