Career Links Page for Caitlin, R Burgess


BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Last/family name:	Caitlin, R Burgess
Institutional Affiliation:	Smith College
Currently in Program for:	Undergraduate (BA,BS)
Anticipated Degree Completion:	May, 2008
Field of Study (50 char max):	Conservation, Environmental Science
Desired Employer Type:	Research/Education Government Agency Non-Government Organization Undecided/Any

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact Me by E-Mail:	cburgess008@gmail.com
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DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES AND BACKGROUND

Caitlin R. Burgess 413-387-8255 cburgess008@gmail.edu 43 Hua Place, Kaneohe, HI 97644 EDUCATION Smith College, Northampton, MA B.A. May 2008 cum laude Major: Mathematics Minor: Environment Science & Policy Deans List 2005-2006, 2006-2007 Sigma Xi Computer Skills: Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint, Adobe Photoshop, ArcGIS 9.2, Mathematica, STATA Relevant Coursework: Oceanography, Marine Ecology, Stream Ecology, Aqueous Geochemistry, Ecohydrology, US Environmental History and Policy, Introduction to GIS, Introduction to Probability and Statistics, Calculus series, Linear Algebra RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Floodplain Forest Research Intern May 2008 – Present The Nature Conservancy, Northampton, MA Salary: $12/hour • Contacted and obtained permission from landowners to perform research on their land for all survey sites located in New Hampshire • Performed elevation transects and woody vegetative surveys at sites throughout the Connecticut River watershed • Accessed remote sites by means of a canoe • Assisted with data management and entry Connecticut River Conservation Coordinator January 2008 – May 2008 The Nature Conservancy, Northampton, MA Salary: $12/hour • Reviewed other project’s conservation plans and developed recommendations based on findings • Supplied documentation and research for threat ratings for the Connecticut River Project • Completed data entry and management Independent Project September 2007- December 2007 Smith College, Northampton, MA Salary: N/A Critique of the reaction-diffusion model as a method for predicting the rate of spread of invasive species • Reviewed scientific literature on a variety of marine invasive species • Applied data from two studies on the Asian Shore Crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) to explored the model’s sensitivity to small changes in the estimated constants • Wrote a final critique based on my findings and previous literature • Nominated to the Smith College’s Chapter of Sigma Xi for my project Research Project September 2007- December 2007 Smith College, Northampton, MA Salary: N/A Susceptibility of Lakes to Acidification in the Adirondack Mountains New York • Collected water samples from 7 different watersheds • Analyzed water samples for acid neutralizing capacity, dissolved anion and cation concentrations, dissolved organic carbon and dissolved silica concentrations • Measured pH, specific conductance and dissolved oxygen at every sample site • Dug soil pits and analyzed soil samples for pH and cation exchange capacity • Synthesized data using Microsoft Excel and wrote a summary report Research Intern June 2007 - August 2007 Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, Seattle WA Salary: N/A • Assisted with the identification and PIT tagging of Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Juvenile Coho Salmon • Trained and familiarized in the use of electro fishing techniques • Processed fish for gut samples using gastric lavaging • Collected and analyzed macroinvertebrate and paraphytin samples in the laboratory • Performed benthic surveys using dry suits and snorkeling equipment • Streamlined fieldwork procedures to provide more efficient and accurate sample processing Field Technician June 2006-August 2006 Nature Conservancy, Northampton, MA Salary: $12/hour • Surveyed road-stream crossings in the West River watershed using standard method and data forms • Designed and executed a work schedule with field crew to ensure that all sites were efficiently surveyed and all the data processed before the deadline • Organized and entered data collected into a Vermont state database Field Technician June 2005-August 2005 PalCo, Scotia, CA Salary: $10/hour • Surveyed Salmon habitats on a variety of streams in accordance to the California Salmon Habitat Restoration Manual • Received and implemented training in channel typing and LWD surveys • Used maps to locate remote sites up to 90 minutes away from the office • Organized and entered data collected for the watershed analysis project HOBBIES Smith College Ultimate Frisbee Team 2004-2008 (President: 2006-2008; Captain: Spring 2006, Spring 2007) Motor boating and lake sailing, hiking, exploring forests, playing guitar, References for Caitlin Burgess Peter Kiffney Research Ecologist National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 425-347-6935 (ext. 240) Peter.kiffney@noaa.gov Kimberly Lutz Director, Connecticut River Program The Nature Conservancy 413-584-016 klutz@tnc.org Kate Sullivan Head of Hydrology/Aquatics Department PalCo ksullivan@scopac.com

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Career Links Page for Caitlin, R Burgess

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