Curriculum Vitae - Brandon Semel
EDUCATION
Virginia Tech University
Fish & Wildlife Conservation (Ph.D.)
Advisor: Dr. Sarah Karpanty
Dissertation: "Advancing effective primate conservation in the face of global change."
Northern Illinois University ('15)
Anthropology (M.A.)
Advisor: Dr. Mitchell Irwin
Thesis: "A multi-species approach to elucidating the ecological function of primate
geophagy."
Duke University ('13)
Evolutionary Anthropology (B.S.) with Distinction
Advisor: Dr. Kenneth Glander
Environmental Science (B.S.)
Advisor: Dr. Stuart Pimm
Senior honors thesis: “Effects of a Forest Edge: Altered Diet and Behavior of Silky Sifaka (Propithecus candidus)”
FUNDING AWARDED
2019 Graduate Research Development Program Grant, Virginia Tech ($997)
2018 Virginia Tech Graduate Travel Fund Program ($425)
2018 Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation Grant ($15,000)
2018 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Grant ($3,500)
2018 Burd Sheldon McGinnes Graduate Fellowship ($2,000)
2017 IDEA Wild Equipment Grant ($1,200)
2017 Primate Conservation Inc. Grant ($2,700)
2017 Greenville Zoo Conservation Grant ($1,000)
2017 Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research ($1,000)
2017 Explorer’s Club Washington D.C. Group ($4,200)
2017 Riverbanks Zoo Grant ($5,000)
2017 VT Inclusion & Diversity Grant for The Wildlife Society (TWS) & Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Related Sciences (MANNRS) guest speaker event ($450)
2016 Conservation International: Primate Action Fund ($2,000)
2016 International Primatological Society Alison Jolly Lemur Conservation Grant ($1,412)
2016 American Primatological Society Grant ($1,500)
2016 Graduate Research Development Program Grant, Virginia Tech ($1,000)
2016 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Grant ($3,000)
2015 NIU Anthropology Dept. Funds for Travel & Research ($700)
2014 Primate Conservation Inc: “A Multi-Species Approach to Elucidating the Ecological Function of Primate Geophagy” ($1,500)
2014 NIU Graduate Dean’s Fund Travel for Summer Research ($500)
2014 NIU Anthropology Department Travel for Summer Research ($500)
2014 NIU Anthropology Department Travel Award ($500)
2010 Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation: “Long-term Population Trends of Mongoose Lemurs (Eulemur mongoz)” ($2,000)
FELLOWSHIPS & HONORS
2019 Burd Sheldon McGinnes Graduate Fellowship ($1,725)
2019 George E. and Hester B. Aker Fellowship ($35,000)
2019 Dwight Chamberlain Graduate Wildlife Fellowship ($1,500)
2018 Fulbright US Student Program Grant to Madagascar (Alternate Candidate)
2017 Interfaces of Global Change Fellowship
2017 Dwight Chamberlain Graduate Wildlife Fellowship
2016 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Scholarship
2015 Outstanding Graduate Student Award, NIU Anthropology
2014 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship
2014 Second Place NIU Sigma Xi Graduate Poster Competition
2014 NIU University Fellowship (merit scholarship)
2013 Honorable Mention, NSF Graduate Fellowship
2009 Hadden Fellowship
PUBLICATIONS (available via ResearchGate)
Semel, BP; Karpanty, SM; Vololonirina, FF; Rakotonanahary, AN. 2019. “Eyes in the sky: Assessing the feasibility of unmanned aerial
vehicles to directly monitor primate populations.” Folia Primatologica.
Greene, LK; Clayton, JB; Rothman, RS; Semel, BP; Semel, MA; Gillespie, TR; Wright, PC; Drea, CM. 2019. “Local habitat, not phylogenetic
relatedness, predicts gut microbiome structure within frugivorous and folivorous lemur lineages.” Biology Letters.
Semel, BP & Ferguson, B. 2013. “Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) using cliffs as sleeping sites.” Lemur
News 17: 4-6.
Semel, BP; Baden, AL; Salisbury, RL; McGee, EM; Wright, PC; Arrigo-Nelson, SJ. (in review) “Testing Hypotheses for Geophagy in a
Malagasy Rainforest Lemur.” Biotropica.
Semel, BP; Karpanty, SM; Andrianiaina, AF; Rasolomanana, DV. (in review) “Novel sleeping site selection by sportive lemurs.” Primates.
Andrianiaina, AF; Hending, D; Semel, BP; Semel, MA; Rasolonirina, DV; Rakotomalala, Z; Cotton, S. (in review) “Use of anthropogenic
land by lemurs in the Loky-Manambato Protected Area: The role of gallery forest, and culture of ‘fady’ in conservation.” Lemur
News.
Semel, BP; Irwin, MT; King, RB; Konen, M; Porter, L; Keeley, MA. (in prep.) “A multi-species approach to elucidating the ecological
function of primate geophagy.”
Semel, BP; Irwin, MT; Raharison, J; Chapman, CA; Rothman, JM; & King, R. (in prep.) “A nutritional analysis of geophagy in diademed
sifakas (Propithecus diadema).”
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
2018 Semel, BP; Karpanty, SM; Andrianiaina, FA; Rasolomanana, DV; & Lipford, KA. (Accepted) “Ten-year population assessment of
critically-endangered golden crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) in northern Madagascar.” International Primatological
Society Meeting. Nairobi, Kenya.
2018 Schulte, R; Semel, B; Ferguson, B. “Golden crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) population estimates of forest fragments in
Daraina region in northeastern Madagascar.” Undergraduate Research Symposium. Drake University.
2018 Semel, BP; S. M. Karpanty; F. A. Andrianiaina; K. A. LipfordU; & D. V. Rasolomanana. “Population trends in northern
Madagascar’s endangered and critically endangered lemurs: Should we be concerned?” Interfaces of Global Change Graduate
Research Symposium. Blacksburg, VA.
2017 Semel, BP & Karpanty, SM. “How are we doing? Estimating lemur abundance in northern Madagascar.” Interfaces of Global
Change (IGC) Research Symposium. Virginia Tech.
2016 Semel, BP & Karpanty, SM. “Eyes in the sky: First reported use of drones to survey lemurs.” The Wildlife Society. Raleigh, NC.
2016 Semel, BP & Karpanty, SM. “Eyes in the sky: First reported use of drones to survey lemurs.” Joint meeting of the International
Primatological Society & American Society of Primatologists. Chicago, IL.
2016 Semel, BP; Irwin, MT; Keeley, MA; Konen, M. “Ecological function of soil consumption by two lemur species in eastern
Madagascar.” Joint meeting of the International Primatological Society & American Society of Primatologists. Chicago, IL.
2016 Semel, BP; Irwin, MT; Keeley, MA; Konen, M. “A multi-species approach to elucidating the ecological function of primate
geophagy.” American Association of Physical Anthropologists Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA.
2015 Semel, BP. "A multi-species approach to elucidating the ecological function of primate geophagy." NIU Sigma Xi Research Event. Northern Illinois University, IL.
2014 Semel, BP; Irwin, MT; Rharison, J; Chapman, CA; Rothman, JM. “More fiber means more dirt? The role of geophagy in diademed
sifakas.” American Association of Physical Anthropologists Annual Meeting. Calgary, Canada.
2013 Semel, BP; Ferguson, B; Irwin, MT; Rhodes, K; Donati, G. “Pointing and counting: A better method for determining the densities
of western sifakas?” Midwest Primate Interest Group. Iowa State University, IA.
2013 Semel, BP; Ferguson, B; and Mahamaro, TH. “Evaluating methods for determining abundance: Implications for remote
sensing of western sifakas.” International Prosimian Congress. Ranomafana, Madagascar.
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
The Wildlife Society
International Primatological Society
American Society of Primatologists
American Association of Physical Anthropologists
Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, Associate Member
RESEARCH & WORK EXPERIENCE
2017 PhD Research; Field research in Daraina, Madagascar. Used line transects to estimate 4 lemur and >20 bird species densities.
Led team of 5 Malagasy field techs, 2 Malagasy graduate students, & 1 American undergraduate student. Collected fecal
material for genetic analysis and vegetation data using standard methods.
2017 National Geographic Student Expedition Leader; Guided ~20 high school students around central & southern Madagascar,
teaching them about the history, culture, & biodiversity of the island & engaging in service projects around Ranomafana
National Park.
2016 PhD Research; Field research in Daraina, Madagascar. Used unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and walking transects to estimate
4 lemur and >20 bird species densities. Led team of 5 Malagasy field techs, 2 Malagasy graduate students, & 1 American
undergraduate student. Collected fecal material for genetic analysis and vegetation data using standard methods.
2014 Masters Student; Field research in Tsinjoarivo, Madagascar. Investigated ecological function of geophagy in two lemur
species. Led team of 9 Malagasy & 1 American research assistants & camp staff during two-month remote field study.
Collected over 800 hours of feeding & behavioral data as well as fecal, botanical, & soil samples for parasite & nutrient lab
analyses.
2011 Independent Research; One-month field research in Makira Conservation Zone, Madagascar. Remote field study of critically
endangered silky sifaka (Propithecus candidus) diet, behavior, & habitat. Compared altitudinal, geographic, & forest quality
differences between several habituated lemur groups. Coordinated with Dr. Erik Patel.
2011 Research Coordinator, Earthwatch Institute; Dr. Luke Dollar; Organized/directed research teams in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar; transects documenting fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) abundance & live trapping supplementing long-term
studies. Conducted vertebrate surveys & evaluated roads impacts on fauna inhabiting the largest tract of dry deciduous forest
in Madagascar. Assisted with school construction & exotic species management.
2009- Duke Lemur Center, Primate Care Technician; Assisted in management of world’s largest collection of lemurs.
2013 Facilitated animal care & enrichment. Provided special educational tours & managed volunteer work days.
2009 Applied Ecological Services, Field Ecologist; Surveyed rare plants & plant communities
with top botanists in the state; identified & documented state-listed endangered & threatened
species, used GPS & GIS to map high quality natural areas for Illinois Natural History Survey
& Illinois Natural Areas Inventory.
2005- Illinois Dedicated Nature Preserve, Natural Area Steward; Restoration & management of a rare calcareous fen &
2009 surrounding sedge meadow & mesic prairie. Used chemical & manual techniques, as well as fire, to remove exotic & invasive
species.
MENTORSHIP & TEACHING EXPERIENCE
I supported the independent research of 2 Virginia Tech undergraduate students in Madagascar summer 2016 & fall 2017. I currently am supervising 3 undergraduate students working in my lab. I mentored 1 junior as part of the Virginia Tech chapter of The Wildlife Society graduate mentorship program.
2017 National Geographic Madagascar Student Expedition Leader; Co-led 16 high school students on a community service &
wildlife discovery trip across southern Madagascar.
2016 Stanford/SIT Study Abroad Invited Lecturer; Lectured 20 students on primate field research methods and lemur
conservation and ecology. Interpreter on field trips.
2015 Intro to Archaeology (ANTH 210); Managed discussions, wrote test questions, assisted students with learning.
2014 Intro to Anthropology (240 Honors); Wrote test questions, assisted students with learning.
2014 Intro to Anthropology (120) & Rise of Civilizations (ANTH 102); Lectured, managed lab, wrote test questions, graded
assignments, assisted students with learning.
2013 Intro to Physical Anthropology (ANTH 240) & Cultural Anthropology (ANTH 220); Managed lab, wrote test questions &
weekly assignments, graded assignments, led class discussions.
2012- Lemur Research Team Leader, Operation Wallacea; Instructed international students in primate population estimate &
2013 behavioral ecology field study methods in Mandrare Valley, Madagascar. Lectured on lemur evolution, ecology, behavior, &
ongoing research efforts. Documented key taxonomic groups (avian, herpetofauna, & small mammals) as foundational data in
developing a Climate, Community, & Biodiversity Alliance report to support Biosphere Reserve application
SERVICE
2018 Fisheries Field Assistant; Surveyed local streams for endemic fish species including the near threatened candy darter (Etheostoma osburni).
2018 SEEDS Blacksburg Nature Center Earth Day Volunteer; Instructed the construction of bird feeders & on the proper seed use for local birds to children & adult participants.
2016- Christmas Bird Count; Yearly citizen science event to monitor migratory birds across the United States. Volunteered at several
2018 locations in northern Illinois.
2017 Tazewell Kids; Natural resource education and plant identification outreach for 4th grade students from Tazewell County, VA,
which is historically under-represented in higher education.
2016- Strouble’s Creek Restoration; Planted trees and shrubs and cleared the stream of garbage as part of Virginia Tech’s ongoing
2017 restoration efforts.
2016- FIWGSA Treasurer; Organized fundraising opportunities, secured grants, and managed the budget for the Fish & Wildlife
2017 Graduate Student Association events and professional support for students.
2016- TWS Graduate Student Liaison; Mentored undergraduates in Virginia Tech’s TWS chapter, planned meetings, organized
2017 speakers, and facilitated networking opportunities between undergraduate and graduate students. Radford/Virginia Tech TWS
BioBlitz for long-term wildlife monitoring at the Selu Conservancy, VA.
2016 Camera Trapping; Collected camera trap data to support long-term species monitoring efforts at the Mountain Lake Biological
Station in partnership with TWS Virginia Tech chapter.
2016 Virginia Science Festival; Engaged in interactive educational outreach related to habitat loss/degradation, invasive species,
pollution, disease, and climate change as part of the Interfaces of Global Change program at Virginia Tech.
2016 Stadium Woods Restoration; Cleared invasive ivy species crowding out native ephemerals in one of Virginia’s oldest remnant
woodlands.
2016 Science Fair Judge; Judged scientific merit of dozens of high school science fair projects for Grace Academy in Charlotte, NC.
2014- Nachusa Grasslands Restoration; Cleared invasive brush, collected and planted native seeds, and assisted with
2015 prescribed fires as part of The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to restore Illinois prairie and reintroduce bison since their
statewide extirpation ca. 1830.
2013- Anthropology Graduate Student Council, President; Co-founder of organization, represented students at faculty meetings, 2015 organized workshops & faculty/student research symposiums.
2012- Duke/UNC Roots & Shoots, Vice President; Organized & secured funding for transportation for free student Lemur Center
2013 tours & volunteer workdays.
2012 National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative, Volunteer Researcher; Conducted literary
reviews of scientific material as supporting documentation to BCI Board for determining
distribution of grant monies & top priority issues for in situ big cat conservation.
LANGUAGES
French (conversational, written proficiency)
Malagasy (basic)
SKILLS
Computer: ArcGIS 10.1, SPSS, Program R, DISTANCE, MARK
PADI Open Water Diver
Certified Tracker (CyberTracker North America): Level 1
S-130 & S-190 Wildland Fire Training Certified
EDUCATION
Virginia Tech University
Fish & Wildlife Conservation (Ph.D.)
Advisor: Dr. Sarah Karpanty
Dissertation: "Advancing effective primate conservation in the face of global change."
Northern Illinois University ('15)
Anthropology (M.A.)
Advisor: Dr. Mitchell Irwin
Thesis: "A multi-species approach to elucidating the ecological function of primate
geophagy."
Duke University ('13)
Evolutionary Anthropology (B.S.) with Distinction
Advisor: Dr. Kenneth Glander
Environmental Science (B.S.)
Advisor: Dr. Stuart Pimm
Senior honors thesis: “Effects of a Forest Edge: Altered Diet and Behavior of Silky Sifaka (Propithecus candidus)”
FUNDING AWARDED
2019 Graduate Research Development Program Grant, Virginia Tech ($997)
2018 Virginia Tech Graduate Travel Fund Program ($425)
2018 Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation Grant ($15,000)
2018 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Grant ($3,500)
2018 Burd Sheldon McGinnes Graduate Fellowship ($2,000)
2017 IDEA Wild Equipment Grant ($1,200)
2017 Primate Conservation Inc. Grant ($2,700)
2017 Greenville Zoo Conservation Grant ($1,000)
2017 Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research ($1,000)
2017 Explorer’s Club Washington D.C. Group ($4,200)
2017 Riverbanks Zoo Grant ($5,000)
2017 VT Inclusion & Diversity Grant for The Wildlife Society (TWS) & Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Related Sciences (MANNRS) guest speaker event ($450)
2016 Conservation International: Primate Action Fund ($2,000)
2016 International Primatological Society Alison Jolly Lemur Conservation Grant ($1,412)
2016 American Primatological Society Grant ($1,500)
2016 Graduate Research Development Program Grant, Virginia Tech ($1,000)
2016 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Grant ($3,000)
2015 NIU Anthropology Dept. Funds for Travel & Research ($700)
2014 Primate Conservation Inc: “A Multi-Species Approach to Elucidating the Ecological Function of Primate Geophagy” ($1,500)
2014 NIU Graduate Dean’s Fund Travel for Summer Research ($500)
2014 NIU Anthropology Department Travel for Summer Research ($500)
2014 NIU Anthropology Department Travel Award ($500)
2010 Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation: “Long-term Population Trends of Mongoose Lemurs (Eulemur mongoz)” ($2,000)
FELLOWSHIPS & HONORS
2019 Burd Sheldon McGinnes Graduate Fellowship ($1,725)
2019 George E. and Hester B. Aker Fellowship ($35,000)
2019 Dwight Chamberlain Graduate Wildlife Fellowship ($1,500)
2018 Fulbright US Student Program Grant to Madagascar (Alternate Candidate)
2017 Interfaces of Global Change Fellowship
2017 Dwight Chamberlain Graduate Wildlife Fellowship
2016 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Scholarship
2015 Outstanding Graduate Student Award, NIU Anthropology
2014 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship
2014 Second Place NIU Sigma Xi Graduate Poster Competition
2014 NIU University Fellowship (merit scholarship)
2013 Honorable Mention, NSF Graduate Fellowship
2009 Hadden Fellowship
PUBLICATIONS (available via ResearchGate)
Semel, BP; Karpanty, SM; Vololonirina, FF; Rakotonanahary, AN. 2019. “Eyes in the sky: Assessing the feasibility of unmanned aerial
vehicles to directly monitor primate populations.” Folia Primatologica.
Greene, LK; Clayton, JB; Rothman, RS; Semel, BP; Semel, MA; Gillespie, TR; Wright, PC; Drea, CM. 2019. “Local habitat, not phylogenetic
relatedness, predicts gut microbiome structure within frugivorous and folivorous lemur lineages.” Biology Letters.
Semel, BP & Ferguson, B. 2013. “Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) using cliffs as sleeping sites.” Lemur
News 17: 4-6.
Semel, BP; Baden, AL; Salisbury, RL; McGee, EM; Wright, PC; Arrigo-Nelson, SJ. (in review) “Testing Hypotheses for Geophagy in a
Malagasy Rainforest Lemur.” Biotropica.
Semel, BP; Karpanty, SM; Andrianiaina, AF; Rasolomanana, DV. (in review) “Novel sleeping site selection by sportive lemurs.” Primates.
Andrianiaina, AF; Hending, D; Semel, BP; Semel, MA; Rasolonirina, DV; Rakotomalala, Z; Cotton, S. (in review) “Use of anthropogenic
land by lemurs in the Loky-Manambato Protected Area: The role of gallery forest, and culture of ‘fady’ in conservation.” Lemur
News.
Semel, BP; Irwin, MT; King, RB; Konen, M; Porter, L; Keeley, MA. (in prep.) “A multi-species approach to elucidating the ecological
function of primate geophagy.”
Semel, BP; Irwin, MT; Raharison, J; Chapman, CA; Rothman, JM; & King, R. (in prep.) “A nutritional analysis of geophagy in diademed
sifakas (Propithecus diadema).”
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
2018 Semel, BP; Karpanty, SM; Andrianiaina, FA; Rasolomanana, DV; & Lipford, KA. (Accepted) “Ten-year population assessment of
critically-endangered golden crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) in northern Madagascar.” International Primatological
Society Meeting. Nairobi, Kenya.
2018 Schulte, R; Semel, B; Ferguson, B. “Golden crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) population estimates of forest fragments in
Daraina region in northeastern Madagascar.” Undergraduate Research Symposium. Drake University.
2018 Semel, BP; S. M. Karpanty; F. A. Andrianiaina; K. A. LipfordU; & D. V. Rasolomanana. “Population trends in northern
Madagascar’s endangered and critically endangered lemurs: Should we be concerned?” Interfaces of Global Change Graduate
Research Symposium. Blacksburg, VA.
2017 Semel, BP & Karpanty, SM. “How are we doing? Estimating lemur abundance in northern Madagascar.” Interfaces of Global
Change (IGC) Research Symposium. Virginia Tech.
2016 Semel, BP & Karpanty, SM. “Eyes in the sky: First reported use of drones to survey lemurs.” The Wildlife Society. Raleigh, NC.
2016 Semel, BP & Karpanty, SM. “Eyes in the sky: First reported use of drones to survey lemurs.” Joint meeting of the International
Primatological Society & American Society of Primatologists. Chicago, IL.
2016 Semel, BP; Irwin, MT; Keeley, MA; Konen, M. “Ecological function of soil consumption by two lemur species in eastern
Madagascar.” Joint meeting of the International Primatological Society & American Society of Primatologists. Chicago, IL.
2016 Semel, BP; Irwin, MT; Keeley, MA; Konen, M. “A multi-species approach to elucidating the ecological function of primate
geophagy.” American Association of Physical Anthropologists Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA.
2015 Semel, BP. "A multi-species approach to elucidating the ecological function of primate geophagy." NIU Sigma Xi Research Event. Northern Illinois University, IL.
2014 Semel, BP; Irwin, MT; Rharison, J; Chapman, CA; Rothman, JM. “More fiber means more dirt? The role of geophagy in diademed
sifakas.” American Association of Physical Anthropologists Annual Meeting. Calgary, Canada.
2013 Semel, BP; Ferguson, B; Irwin, MT; Rhodes, K; Donati, G. “Pointing and counting: A better method for determining the densities
of western sifakas?” Midwest Primate Interest Group. Iowa State University, IA.
2013 Semel, BP; Ferguson, B; and Mahamaro, TH. “Evaluating methods for determining abundance: Implications for remote
sensing of western sifakas.” International Prosimian Congress. Ranomafana, Madagascar.
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
The Wildlife Society
International Primatological Society
American Society of Primatologists
American Association of Physical Anthropologists
Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, Associate Member
RESEARCH & WORK EXPERIENCE
2017 PhD Research; Field research in Daraina, Madagascar. Used line transects to estimate 4 lemur and >20 bird species densities.
Led team of 5 Malagasy field techs, 2 Malagasy graduate students, & 1 American undergraduate student. Collected fecal
material for genetic analysis and vegetation data using standard methods.
2017 National Geographic Student Expedition Leader; Guided ~20 high school students around central & southern Madagascar,
teaching them about the history, culture, & biodiversity of the island & engaging in service projects around Ranomafana
National Park.
2016 PhD Research; Field research in Daraina, Madagascar. Used unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and walking transects to estimate
4 lemur and >20 bird species densities. Led team of 5 Malagasy field techs, 2 Malagasy graduate students, & 1 American
undergraduate student. Collected fecal material for genetic analysis and vegetation data using standard methods.
2014 Masters Student; Field research in Tsinjoarivo, Madagascar. Investigated ecological function of geophagy in two lemur
species. Led team of 9 Malagasy & 1 American research assistants & camp staff during two-month remote field study.
Collected over 800 hours of feeding & behavioral data as well as fecal, botanical, & soil samples for parasite & nutrient lab
analyses.
2011 Independent Research; One-month field research in Makira Conservation Zone, Madagascar. Remote field study of critically
endangered silky sifaka (Propithecus candidus) diet, behavior, & habitat. Compared altitudinal, geographic, & forest quality
differences between several habituated lemur groups. Coordinated with Dr. Erik Patel.
2011 Research Coordinator, Earthwatch Institute; Dr. Luke Dollar; Organized/directed research teams in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar; transects documenting fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) abundance & live trapping supplementing long-term
studies. Conducted vertebrate surveys & evaluated roads impacts on fauna inhabiting the largest tract of dry deciduous forest
in Madagascar. Assisted with school construction & exotic species management.
2009- Duke Lemur Center, Primate Care Technician; Assisted in management of world’s largest collection of lemurs.
2013 Facilitated animal care & enrichment. Provided special educational tours & managed volunteer work days.
2009 Applied Ecological Services, Field Ecologist; Surveyed rare plants & plant communities
with top botanists in the state; identified & documented state-listed endangered & threatened
species, used GPS & GIS to map high quality natural areas for Illinois Natural History Survey
& Illinois Natural Areas Inventory.
2005- Illinois Dedicated Nature Preserve, Natural Area Steward; Restoration & management of a rare calcareous fen &
2009 surrounding sedge meadow & mesic prairie. Used chemical & manual techniques, as well as fire, to remove exotic & invasive
species.
MENTORSHIP & TEACHING EXPERIENCE
I supported the independent research of 2 Virginia Tech undergraduate students in Madagascar summer 2016 & fall 2017. I currently am supervising 3 undergraduate students working in my lab. I mentored 1 junior as part of the Virginia Tech chapter of The Wildlife Society graduate mentorship program.
2017 National Geographic Madagascar Student Expedition Leader; Co-led 16 high school students on a community service &
wildlife discovery trip across southern Madagascar.
2016 Stanford/SIT Study Abroad Invited Lecturer; Lectured 20 students on primate field research methods and lemur
conservation and ecology. Interpreter on field trips.
2015 Intro to Archaeology (ANTH 210); Managed discussions, wrote test questions, assisted students with learning.
2014 Intro to Anthropology (240 Honors); Wrote test questions, assisted students with learning.
2014 Intro to Anthropology (120) & Rise of Civilizations (ANTH 102); Lectured, managed lab, wrote test questions, graded
assignments, assisted students with learning.
2013 Intro to Physical Anthropology (ANTH 240) & Cultural Anthropology (ANTH 220); Managed lab, wrote test questions &
weekly assignments, graded assignments, led class discussions.
2012- Lemur Research Team Leader, Operation Wallacea; Instructed international students in primate population estimate &
2013 behavioral ecology field study methods in Mandrare Valley, Madagascar. Lectured on lemur evolution, ecology, behavior, &
ongoing research efforts. Documented key taxonomic groups (avian, herpetofauna, & small mammals) as foundational data in
developing a Climate, Community, & Biodiversity Alliance report to support Biosphere Reserve application
SERVICE
2018 Fisheries Field Assistant; Surveyed local streams for endemic fish species including the near threatened candy darter (Etheostoma osburni).
2018 SEEDS Blacksburg Nature Center Earth Day Volunteer; Instructed the construction of bird feeders & on the proper seed use for local birds to children & adult participants.
2016- Christmas Bird Count; Yearly citizen science event to monitor migratory birds across the United States. Volunteered at several
2018 locations in northern Illinois.
2017 Tazewell Kids; Natural resource education and plant identification outreach for 4th grade students from Tazewell County, VA,
which is historically under-represented in higher education.
2016- Strouble’s Creek Restoration; Planted trees and shrubs and cleared the stream of garbage as part of Virginia Tech’s ongoing
2017 restoration efforts.
2016- FIWGSA Treasurer; Organized fundraising opportunities, secured grants, and managed the budget for the Fish & Wildlife
2017 Graduate Student Association events and professional support for students.
2016- TWS Graduate Student Liaison; Mentored undergraduates in Virginia Tech’s TWS chapter, planned meetings, organized
2017 speakers, and facilitated networking opportunities between undergraduate and graduate students. Radford/Virginia Tech TWS
BioBlitz for long-term wildlife monitoring at the Selu Conservancy, VA.
2016 Camera Trapping; Collected camera trap data to support long-term species monitoring efforts at the Mountain Lake Biological
Station in partnership with TWS Virginia Tech chapter.
2016 Virginia Science Festival; Engaged in interactive educational outreach related to habitat loss/degradation, invasive species,
pollution, disease, and climate change as part of the Interfaces of Global Change program at Virginia Tech.
2016 Stadium Woods Restoration; Cleared invasive ivy species crowding out native ephemerals in one of Virginia’s oldest remnant
woodlands.
2016 Science Fair Judge; Judged scientific merit of dozens of high school science fair projects for Grace Academy in Charlotte, NC.
2014- Nachusa Grasslands Restoration; Cleared invasive brush, collected and planted native seeds, and assisted with
2015 prescribed fires as part of The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to restore Illinois prairie and reintroduce bison since their
statewide extirpation ca. 1830.
2013- Anthropology Graduate Student Council, President; Co-founder of organization, represented students at faculty meetings, 2015 organized workshops & faculty/student research symposiums.
2012- Duke/UNC Roots & Shoots, Vice President; Organized & secured funding for transportation for free student Lemur Center
2013 tours & volunteer workdays.
2012 National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative, Volunteer Researcher; Conducted literary
reviews of scientific material as supporting documentation to BCI Board for determining
distribution of grant monies & top priority issues for in situ big cat conservation.
LANGUAGES
French (conversational, written proficiency)
Malagasy (basic)
SKILLS
Computer: ArcGIS 10.1, SPSS, Program R, DISTANCE, MARK
PADI Open Water Diver
Certified Tracker (CyberTracker North America): Level 1
S-130 & S-190 Wildland Fire Training Certified
