Education
University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Master of Science Communication, Honors, endorsed in Science in Society, 2018
McDaniel College, Westminster, Maryland
B.A. in Psychology, cum laude, 2014 / additional classes in biology, chemistry, and neuroscience, August 2014-May 2015
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Additional classes in biology, anthropology, and technical writing, June-August 2014
Semesters abroad
Semester abroad at Bangor University, Wales, January-June 2013
Semester at Sea Program, University of Virginia, August-December 2012
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Work Experience
KiwiCo — Editor / Science Writer
Mountain View, California
January 2019 - Present
Planned, researched, and wrote educational STEAM content and build instructions for ages 5-14+. Oversaw the production of collateral for 3-5 new crates every month. Coordinated closely with product designers, graphic designers, and illustrators to ensure product success. Promoted from Associate Editor to Editor in July 2020.
OctoNation — Freelance Writing
Remote
July - September, 2020
Wrote fun facts and other content about octopus species for OctoNation’s website, specifically for the Octopedia pages. “Translated” and reframed information provided by researchers to make it easily understandable by a lay audience, as well as fun to read.
Otago Museum — communicator
Dunedin, New Zealand
September - December 2018
Assisted in the science center, tropical forest, and galleries. Interpreted for all ages/backgrounds and presented science shows. Welcomed visitors at the front desk, supported visitors and staff, and acted as the “face of the museum”.
New Zealand Department of Conservation — Interpretive Panel Design Commission
Franz Josef, New Zealand
August 2016 - February 2017
Wrote text, designed layout, and created prototypes for new interpretive panels about Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, and the effects of climate change. See the Exhibits page to view panel prototypes.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Entomology Department Intern
Washington, D.C.
June 2015 - January 2016
Assisted with daily tasks in the AntLab, including caring for live ant colonies and ongoing genetic research. Photographed over 200 ant species for a published biodiversity survey of Guyana, and for the AntWeb database.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Q?rius Education Program Volunteer
Q?rius Education Program Volunteer
June 2015 - January 2016
Provided on-the-spot natural history interpretation for Q?rius visitors about museum specimens, helped museum visitors navigate the museum and collections, and facilitated Q?rius activities.
McDaniel College Biology Department — Lab Assistant
Westminster, MD
August 2014 - May 2015
Assisted in the vertebrate anatomy lab as needed, including with an extensive study comparing jaw joints in fish. Managed and maintained the lab’s 3D printer and associated computer programs.
McDaniel College Psychology Department — Writing Fellow
Westminster, MD
August - December 2014
Helped teach undergraduate psychology students how write clearly and efficiently for academia.
McDaniel College Psychology Department — Student Research Assistant
Westminster, MD
February - May 2014
Observed, timed, categorized, and catalogued rats’ behavior in various anxiety and curiosity tests as part of another student’s original research on responses to different drug combinations.
Audubon Naturalist Society — Camp Counselor / Volunteer coordinator
Chevy Chase, MD
June - August 2012 and 2013
Supervised and taught nature-themed lessons to campers aged 4-15 years old (including on overnight trips). Developed and implemented daily training programs for teen volunteers (CITs). Managed camp office as needed.
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Publications & Notable Projects
"Cameras for Conservation: How Photographing Wildlife Affects Engagement with Biodiversity"
Published March 2019 in Human Dimension of Wildlife
Manuscript based on empirical research into the psychological effects of photographing wildlife, conducted for master's thesis. Co-authors: Ross Johnston (thesis supervisor) and Nancy Longnecker. Presented at the 2018 Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Conference in Dunedin, New Zealand. PDF available for download from ResearchGate.
The Wild Focus Project: www.wildfocus.org
May 2017 - Sept 2019
Original website, blog, and social media outreach to bring together wildlife photography, conservation, and storytelling. Features information about biodiversity, stories about photographers, and a blog (no longer active).
Kruger National Park: Animal Tales
Published in January 2017 in the iBookstore (Now Apple Books)
Interactive iBook about the wildlife and ecosystems of Kruger National Park, South Africa. Focuses on each of the "Big Five" game animals to discuss various aspects of biology, conservation, and park management.
"Museums and Their Role in Modern Society"
Aired in January 2017 on Our Changing World, a popular science program on Radio New Zealand
Short podcast discussing whether or not museums are still relevant in today's digital world. Listen on the RNZ website.
Shedding Some Light: A Dunedin Dark Skies Initiative
Displayed August and November 2016 at the Otago Museum and the Dunedin City Council
Mobile interactive exhibition about light pollution in Dunedin, New Zealand, featuring interpretive panels and working miniature models of different types of street lights against the "night sky". Conceived, designed, and managed the construction of the exhibition.
Backyard Experiments: www.backyardexperiments.wordpress.com
March - May 2016
Wordpress blog for children aged 8-12 (and their parents), focusing on fun science experiments that can be done at home.
Photos for "Ants of the South Rupununi Savannah, Guyana"
Published in 2016 as a chapter of the Biodiversity Assessment Survey of the South Rupununi Savannah Guyana
Photos of ant specimens were published, including images of rare species. As part of this project, I captured the first known images of the species Dolichoderus inpai.
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Skills
Microsoft Office programs and their Google equivalents: Word, PowerPoint, Excel
Web design; Website management and analytics; Squarespace, Wordpress
Basic graphic design using Photoshop/Photoshop Elements, Pixelmator, iBooks Author
DSLR photography (including astrophotography, macrophotography, and microphotography)
Photo editing using Photoshop/Photoshop Elements, Pixelmator, Picasa
Research and analysis: quantitative and qualitative methods, SPSS, Qualtrics, synthesizing literature
3D printing using an Orion Delta Desktop 3D printer, and 3D printing programs: Cura, Repetier Host
Safe and competent use of many power tools and hand tools
Team and people management
Budget management
Museum specimen care, maintenance, organization, and documentation