HIGHLIGHTS

 

• Subject matter expert for municipal policy implementation for urban forestry, parks, wildlife ecology, and natural areas management.

• Experience in a supervisory role, in conservation programming, and in scientific research and report writing.

• Extensive experience in field work, identifying plants and wildlife, and working on conservation projects.

• Experience with a variety of computing programs, including R, ArcGIS, and Office Suite.

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EDUCATION

University of Alberta      GPA – 4.0

• MSc in Conservation Biology                                              

• Thesis examined the effects of the European honeybee on native plant-pollinator network interactions in Alberta. See Thesis Work page.

• Recipient of the Alberta Conservation Association research grant in biodiversity in support of research involving Alberta’s native flora and fauna and the conservation of their biodiversity.

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University of Alberta      GPA – 3.7 – Graduated with Distinction  

• BSc in Environmental & Conservation Science, major in Conservation Biology 

• Recipient of the Jason Lang Scholarship and the Alexander Rutherford High School Achievement Scholarship.

 

EMPLOYMENT

2024 - City of Saskatoon  – Environmental Coordinator

• Developing corporate pilot programs on sustainable green initiatives and climate change education.

• Monitoring environmental programs and other environmental performance metrics and developing, preparing, and presenting reports.

• Securing project funding from both internal and external sources, developing strategic business plans by working with consultants, advising on content, and facilitating reviews.

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2021–2024 - City of Saskatoon  – Entomologist

• Leading protocols for the treatment, monitoring and prevention of insect pest species including mosquitoes, bark beetles (Dutch Elm Disease), Emerald Ash Borer and various other urban pests.

• Creating and implementing an Pest Management Plan for the city, leading as Project Manager.

• Leading a variety of experiments in biocontrol, rearing, and pheromone lures for urban pests and other insects.

• Database management of historical and present data for urban pests.

• Responsible for media interviews and public relations as related to pests.

• Provincial Dutch Elm Disease Inspector.

• Wildlife rescue and release.

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2024 - University of Saskatchewan  – Sessional Lecturer

• Creation and delivery of a 12-week course in Wild Pollinator Identification and Taxonomy to graduate students in the Veterinary Pathology department at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

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2021–2025 - Alberta Native Bee Council  – Insect Taxonomist

• Identification services for native bees of Alberta, Canada for the Alberta Native Bee Council's monitoring project.

• Includes identifying, labeling, and databasing over 13,000 bee specimens.

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2021 - Nature Conservancy of Canada  – Data Intern

• Entering and analyzing land management use data in the NCC database.

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2018–2021 - University of Alberta – Teaching Assistant & Researcher

• Coordination of the collection of field data, planning field work, research design, protocols, and hiring of field assistants, as well as the training and management of their activities.

• Insect and plant sampling, collection, and identification. 

• Coordinated with the Royal Alberta Museum using methods of acetolysis and pollen analysis.

• Teaching in lab sections for various wildlife and conservation courses from 2018-2020, presenting information on animals, handing animals (primarily arthropods) and their care, and assisting students and grading exams.

 

2018–2019 - University of Alberta Strickland E. H. Entomological Museum – Database Assistant

• Entering entomological specimen data into the Strickland Entomological Museum online database.

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2017 - Government of Alberta  –  Fisheries Guardian

• Inspected commercial and private boats for aquatic invasive species, primarily Zebra and Quagga mussels.

• Involved public education and de-escalating conflicts and working with trained canine units.

 

PUBLICATIONS

See Publications page for more.

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2024​

• Biodiversity measures of a grassland plant-pollinator community are resilient to the introduction of honey bees (Apis mellifera)

• Pollinator intraspecific body size variation and sociality influence their interactions with plants

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2023

• Honey bees (Apis mellifera) modify plant-pollinator network structure, but do not alter wild species’ interactions

• Existing flower preference metrics disagree on best plants for pollinators: which metric to choose?

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AWARDS & GRANTS​

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Alberta Conservation Association Grant in Biodiversity

• Awarded by the Alberta Conservation Association in support of research involving Alberta’s native flora and fauna and the conservation of their biodiversity.

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Gra duate Excellence in Research Award

• Awarded by the Entomological Society of Canada for excellence in graduate research.

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Entomological Society of Alberta Undergraduate Award in Entomology

• Awarded by the Entomological Society of Alberta in recognition of academic achievements related to entomology.  

 

Undergraduate Thesis Research Award

• Awarded by the University of Alberta Department of Renewable Resources for excellent work in research and presentation of undergraduate thesis work.

 

Jason Lang Scholarship

• Recognition for academic achievements.

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PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES & DESIGNATIONS

• Alberta Society of Professional Biologists – Professional Biologist​

• Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture – Pesticide Applicator ​​

• Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment – Provincial Dutch Elm Disease Inspector​

• Entomological Society of Canada – Professional Entomologist

• Community Based Social Marketing – CBSM Certification

• Media Training – City of Saskatoon

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ORGANIZATIONS & VOLUNTEERING​

 Entomological Society of Canada – Assistant Technical Editor | Symposia Organizer

• Assisted in the organization of the symposium for the 2023 joint annual meeting between ESC and ESS

• Assistant Technical Editor for the quarterly ESC bulletin newsletter.

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Alberta Native Bee Council – Taxonomist | Member

• Creating and running educational programs for the public. Leading insect walks, planning meetings, events, and presentations.

• Social media management and design.

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Entomological Society of Saskatchewan – Species at Risk Committee Member

• Led symposium on invasive insects in the urban forest for the 2023 joint annual meeting between the ESS and ESC. 

• Coordinating, networking, and organizing provincial and federal work on species at risk.

 

Wild About Saskatoon – Pollinator Paradise Committee Member

• Outreach, education, research project management, best management practices, funding acquisition.

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Entomological Society of Alberta – Member

• Presented research work in two annual general meetings. 

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Let’s Talk Science - Volunteer

• Let’s Talk Science event at the University of Alberta to teach children about the importance of bees.​

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REFERENCES

                                               

Carol Frost - cmfrost@ualberta.ca

John Acorn - jacorn@ualberta.ca​

Cate Francis - cate.francis@saskatoon.ca

Megan Evans - info@albertanativebeecouncil.ca

 

Also see Reference Letters.