Kimberly Ovitz
 
 
 
 
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Education

graduate

  • University of Manitoba, PhD Student, Department of Geography and the Center for Earth Observation Science (CEOS), Winnipeg, Manitoba (Jan 2020 - Present)

  • University of Maine, School of Marine Sciences, Master of Science in Marine Policy, Orono, Maine (Jul 2015 - Aug 2017)

Undergraduate

  • University of Massachusetts: School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Bachelor of Arts in Social Thought and Political Economy, Amherst, Massachusetts (Cum Laude) (August 2008 - May 2013)


Highlighted Coursework

  • Graduate: Marine Biology; Biology of Fishes; Sustainable Aquaculture; History and Ecology of New England Fisheries; Territorial User Rights in Fisheries (TURFs); Knowledge and Participation in the Policy Process; Marine and Coastal Resource Management; Cross Cultural Perspectives in Resource Management; Qualitative Data Analysis Using NVivo; Coupled Human and Natural Systems; Human Environmental Relations in the Arctic: Data Science with R for Environmental Research; Political Ecology of Arctic Resources; Community-Engaged Northern Research

  • Undergraduate: Environmental Biology; Botany; Forests and People; Sustainable Fisheries Management; Oceanography; Statistical Analysis for Life Sciences; Writing and Critical Consciousness; Post Colonial Nationalism; Women and Politics in Africa; Indigenous Women of North America; History of Modern Latin America; Introduction to Political Theory; Inequality and Oppression; Macroeconomics; Politics of Western Law; Feminism, Science, and Religion

SHORT COURSES

  • Arctic Data Center and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, Fundamentals in Qualitative and Quantitative Data Management for Arctic Research, Santa Barbara, California. (Jan 30 – Feb 3)

Other

  • Antonio Nebrija University: Spanish Language and Humanities, Madrid, Spain (Fall 2010)

  • School of the Art Institute Chicago: Photography, Chicago, Illinois (Fall 2007-2008)

 
 

Publications

Journal Articles

  • Ovitz, K.A., Matari, K.G.A., O'Hara S., Esagok D., Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee (IHTC), and Loseto, L.L. (2023). Observations of social and environmental change on Kendall Island (Ukiivik), a traditional whaling camp in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. Arctic Science. (Link)

  • Ovitz, K. L. and Johnson, T.R. (2018). Seeking sustainability: Employing Ostrom's SESF to explore spatial fit in Maine’s sea urchin fishery. International Journal of the Commons. (Link)

  • Chapman, D. A., Gagne, T. O., Ovitz, K. L., Griffin, L. P., Danylchuk, A. J., & Markowitz, E. M. (2018). Modeling intentions to sanction among anglers in a catch-and-release recreational fishery for golden dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) in Salta, Argentina. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 1-8. (Link)

  • Gagne, T. O., Ovitz, K. L., Griffin, L. P., Brownscombe, J. W., Cooke, S. J., & Danylchuk, A. J. (2017). Evaluating the consequences of catch-and-release recreational angling on golden dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) in Salta, Argentina. Fisheries Research186, 625-633. (Link)

Technical & Field Reports

  • Ovitz and Scharffenberg et al. (2024). Coastal Aerial Beluga Survey in Darnley Bay and the Anguniaqvia Niqiqyuam Marine Protected Area in Late July 2023. Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. (In Prep).

  • MacPhee et al. (2024). What We Heard: Community Meetings to Report Back On the 2019 Beluga Tagging Program in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. (In Prep).

  • Ovitz et al. (2024). DFO Marine Mammal Disturbance Authorization End of Project Report for the Paulatuk Drone Project.

  • Ovitz et al. (2023).DFO Marine Mammal Disturbance Authorization End of Project Report for the Paulatuk Drone Project.

  • Ovitz K. L., et al. (2021). Paulatuk Beluga Drone Project Field Report. 

  • Ovitz, K. L., Steinert, S. D., Christopherson, J., Schmitt, N., Gardell, A., and Gill, V. A. (2019). Alaska Beluga Monitoring Partnership Citizen Science Beluga Monitoring Program: Fall 2019 Season Report. (Link)

  • Ovitz, K. L. (2019). Exploring Cook Inlet beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) habitat use in Alaska’s Kenai River. Report to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service Protected Resources Division in Anchorage, Alaska. (Link)

  • Ovitz, K.L. and Johnson, T.R. (2017). License-holder perspectives in Maine's sea urchin fishery. Technical Report to the Maine Sea Urchin Zone Council and the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Orono, Maine.

Regulatory & Permitting Documents

  • American President Lines (APL) Terminal One Dock Expansion, Informal ESA Section 7 Consultation and Letter of Concurrence, POA-1983-464-M6, NMFS #AKR-2018-9760. 

  • Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility (AWWU) Effluent Beach Tower Erosion Protection, Informal ESA Section 7 Consultation and Letter of Concurrence, POA-1970-002, NMFS #AKR-2018-9718. 

Academic Theses

  • Ovitz, K. L. (2017). Envisioning Recovery: A social-ecological systems analysis of Maine's co-managed sea urchin fishery (Masters Thesis, University of Maine). (Link)

Plain Language Summaries

  • Social and environmental change on Kendall Island (Ukiivik), a traditional whaling camp in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (Link)

  • Paulatuk Beluga Drone Project Field Season Summary (2021, 2022, 2023)

  • Plain language summary on research project: Co-producing Knowledge on Beluga Movement in the Beaufort Sea in the Loseto Research Group Beluga Bulletin. (2020, 2021, 2022).

 
 

Presentations

Conferences & Symposia

  1.  ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting (Iqaluit Nunavut): Ovitz, K.L. and T. Pearce. (2023). Linking Inuvialuit and scientific knowledge to understand key marine species harvested for subsistence: Presenting three collaborative case studies on Arctic char, Greenland cod, and beluga whales in Canada’s Western Arctic. Oral presentation, Dec 2023.

  2. ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting (Toronto, Ontario): Ovitz, K.L., et al. (2022). Paulatuk Beluga Drone Project: Coupling participatory field methods and qualitative inquiry to co-produce knowledge on beluga. Oral and poster presentation developed by K. Ovitz and presented by K. Ovitz, F. Wolki, and J. Illasiak, Dec 2022.

  3. International Conference for Young Marine Researchers (Bremerhaven, Germany): Ovitz, K.L. et al. (2022). Exploring beluga (Delphinapterus leucas; qilalugaq) activity in Darnley Bay: Collaborative transdisciplinary research using emerging technologies. Oral presentation, Sep 2022.

  4.  Alaska Marine Science Symposium (Virtual): Ovitz, K.L. et al. (2022). Paulatuk Beluga Drone Project: Collaborative research exploring beluga activity in Darnley Bay. Oral presentation developed by K. Ovitz and co-presented by K. Ovitz and J. Illasiak, Jan 2022.

  5.  ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting (Virtual): Ovitz, K. L. et al. (2021). Paulatuk Beluga Drone Project: Collaborative research exploring beluga activity in Darnley Bay. Oral presentation, Dec 2021.  

  6.  Arctic Change (Virtual): Ovitz, K.L. and Matari K.G.A. (2020). Revisiting traditional knowledge holder interviews exploring social-ecological change on Kendall Island in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Oral presentation, Dec 2020.

  7.  Alaska Marine Science Symposium (Anchorage, Alaska): Ovitz, K. L. et al. (2020). The Alaska Beluga Monitoring Partnership: A Collaborative Citizen Science Monitoring Effort Exploring Endangered Beluga Habitat Use at Multiple Sites in Alaska’s Cook Inlet. Oral presentation presented by V. Gill., Jan 2020.

  8.  Arctic Net Annual Scientific Meeting (Halifax, Nova Scotia): Ovitz, K. L. (2019). Alaska Beluga Monitoring Partnership: Using Citizen Science to Explore Endangered Beluga Habitat Use at Multiple Sites in Cook Inlet. Poster Presentation. (Dec 2019).

  9.  Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Management, Research, and Partnership Opportunities (Anchorage, Alaska): Ovitz, K. L. (2018). Kenai Marine Mammal Monitoring Project Overview. Oral presentation, Apr 2018.

  10.  International Association for Society and Natural Resources Conference (Umea, Sweden): Ovitz, K. and Johnson, T.R. (2017). Examining co-management and social resilience in Maine’s sea urchin fishery. Oral presentation, Jun 2017.

  11.  Association of American Geographers (Boston, Massachusetts): Ovitz, K. and Johnson, T.R. (2017). Unlocking the flip: a harvester-led restoration effort in Maine’s sea urchin fishery. Oral presentation, Apr 2017.

  12.  Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Initiative Conference (Orono, Maine): Ovitz, K. and Johnson, T.R. (2016). Examining harvester knowledge and fine-scale management in Maine’s sea urchin fishery. Poster presentation, Jun 2016.

  13.  University of Maine School of Marine Sciences Research Symposium (Walpole, Maine): Ovitz, K. and Johnson, T.R. (2016). Examining harvester knowledge and fine-scale management in Maine’s sea urchin fishery. Poster presentation, May 2016.

  14.  University of Maine Graduate Student Research Symposium (Bangor, Maine). Ovitz, K. and Johnson, T.R. (2016). Examining harvester knowledge and fine-scale management in Maine’s sea urchin fishery. Poster presentation, May 2016.

  15.  Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society (Portland, Oregon): Gagne, T. O., Markowitz, E., Cooke, S. J., Griffin, L. P., Ovitz, K. L., Danylchuk, S., Mariani, F., & Danylchuk, A. J. (2015) Multi-stakeholder participation in the development of best practices for catch-and-release: a case study on Golden Dorado, Argentina. Oral presentation, Aug 2015

Invited

  1. American Cetacean Society Speaker Series, Los Angeles and Orange County Chapters (Virtual): Ovitz K.L., (2023). Beluga Ecology and Conservation: Insights from Alaska and the Canadian Arctic. Invited oral presentation, Nov 2023. Link.

  2. Broadreach Academic Programs (Virtual): Oral Presentation: Ovitz K. L. (2020). Beluga Ecology and Conservation: Insights from Alaska and the Canadian Arctic. Invited oral presentation, Jul 2020. (Link)

  3. Alaska Zoo’s Wildlife Wednesdays (Anchorage, Alaska): Ovitz, K. L. (2019). Alaska Beluga Monitoring Partnership Fall 2019 Season Observations. Invited oral presentation, Nov 2019.

  4. Get to Know Your Watershed Workshop Series (Girdwood, Alaska): Ovitz, K. L. (2018). Marine Mammal Monitoring 101 & Kenai Marine Mammal Monitoring Project Overview. Invited oral presentation, Apr 2018.

  5. Kenai Art Guild (Kenai, Alaska): Ovitz, K.L. (2018). Preliminary Results from the Kenai Marine Mammal Monitoring Project. Invited oral presentation, May 2018.

  6. Alaska Sea Grant Advisory Committee Meeting. (Anchorage, Alaska). Ovitz, K. L. (2017). Fellowship overview. Oral presentation, Nov 2017.

Resource & Wildlife Management Meetings

  • Inuvialuit-Inupiat Beluga Whale Commission Meeting, Anchorage, Alaska

    • Attended in 2019; oral presentation in 2023

  • Fisheries Joint Management Committee Annual Meeting

    • Attended in 2021, oral presentations in 2021-2024

  • Inuvialuit Game Council Meeting

    • Oral presentation in 2020

  • Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee (PHTC) & Community of Paulatuk

    • Attending regular meetings with PHTC Board of Directors on project planning and implementation (Jan 2021-present)

    • Facilitated community nights for the Paulatuk Drone Project (Jul 2022, Jul 2023)

    • Facilitated planning workshop with knowledge holders from Paulatuk (Jun 2022)

  • Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee (IHTC) & Community of Inuvik

    • Oral Presentation: Ovitz K.L. et al. (2022). Kendall Island Project. Update to the Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee (IHTC) Board of Directors. Virtual oral presentation. 2 Feb 2022.

  • Fisheries and Oceans Beluga Community Tour, Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Northwest Territories, Canada

    • Supported meetings across six communities providing updates on beluga research and monitoring programs

  • Maine Sea Urchin Zone Council Meetings, Maine

    • Attended bi-monthly co-management meetings facilitated by urchin harvesters in collaboration with the Maine Department of Marine Resources

  • Cat Ledges Restoration Project, Sheepscott River, Maine

    • Provided project and fieldwork support for multi-day harvester-led restoration and monitoring initiative in Maine’s urchin fishery

 
 

Workshops & Working Groups

  1. Drone Knowledge Exchange organized by DFO in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Jun 2023; Oct 2024 

  2. ArcticNet Annual Science Meeting Workshop on Camera Community-based Arctic Marine Mammal Studies in Toronto, Ontario; Dec 5, 2022

  3.  Alaska Stranding Network Meeting and Oil Spill Response Workshop organized by the NMFS Protected Resources Division, Anchorage, Alaska; Feb 2018

  4.  Alaska Marine Science Symposium Workshops on Communicating Ocean Sciences and Understanding the Arctic through a Co-production of Knowledge; Anchorage, Alaska; Jan 2018

  5. Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Research Workshop organized by NMFS Protected Resources Division, Anchorage, Alaska; Nov 2017

  6.  Science, Technology, and Policy Workshop; one-day workshop on federal science funding and policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst; Jan 2017

  7. Wabanaki REACH Ally Workshop & Training; Nov 2016

  8. Florida State University MOTE Symposium: Propagating TURFs into the 21st Century, Sarasota Florida; Oct 2015

 
 

Professional & Research Experience 

PhD Student, University of Manitoba

Department of Geography and the Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS), Winnipeg, MB: Jan 2020 - Present

Leading community-partnered research exploring beluga movement and behavior in the Beaufort Sea through knowledge bridging and co-production; developing collaborative methods to bring together diverse bodies of knowledge to understand wildlife patterns in a changing environment; pursuing a systematic literature review mapping existing knowledge on the movement of the Eastern Beaufort Sea beluga population; presenting research findings in academic and applied settings to inform beluga co-management, monitoring, and research; supporting funding acquisition, grant reporting, research team communications, and student mentorship.

Research Affiliate, Fisheries and Oceans

Fisheries and Oceans Freshwater Institute, Winnipeg, MB: Jan 2020 - Present

Supporting beluga research initiatives in the Western Arctic in collaboration with DFO scientists and co-management partners in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region; co-leading the Paulatuk Beluga Drone Project, a collaborative and community-based research initiative using small drones to explore beluga habitat use and behavior in the Anguniaqvia Niqiqyuam Marine Protected Area; facilitating partner engagement and communications, data entry and management, research protocol design, project budgeting and logistics, project reporting, and community outreach.

Monitoring Coordinator, Alaska Beluga Monitoring Partnership (AKBMP)

Funded by NOAA Fisheries through the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Anchorage, AK: June - December, 2019

Developed and launched the Alaska Beluga Monitoring Partnership (AKBMP) and Beluga Monitoring Program with federal, university, and non-profit partners; led monitoring program planning and implementation (designed monitoring protocols and partnership guidelines; recruited and trained monitoring volunteers; developed and maintained online data entry platforms and databases; coordinated data sharing with project partners; facilitated internal and external communications; reported project methods and findings in written and oral formats; supported shore-based beluga monitoring across five sites and participated in fixed wing aerial surveys exploring winter beluga distribution in Cook Inlet.

Academic Lead, British Columbia Marine Mammal Studies Program, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Broadreach Academic Programs: July - August 2019

Led intensive college-level marine mammal ecology and conservation course; designed and implemented field-based lesson plans and facilitated group discussion on course themes including marine mammal biology and physiology, ecological field methods, and resource management in cross-cultural contexts; reviewed and provided constructive feedback on student assignments; worked with course team to ensure student safety during remote fieldwork.

Field Assistant, Little Colorado River Native Fish Monitoring Project                  

United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Flagstaff, AZ: Sep 2018 / Apr 2019

Participated in native fish sampling efforts at a remote site in the Grand Canyon; worked in small field team to deploy and retrieve sampling gears; recorded morphometric data on native and invasive fishes; tagged native fishes; supported field camp operations.

Research Fellow, Alaska Sea Grant

NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Office, Protected Resources Division, Anchorage, AK: August 2017 - August 2018

Supported federal marine mammal conservation and recovery efforts; conducted fieldwork for a shore-based monitoring project examining beluga occurrence and interactions with watercrafts on the Twentymile River; designed and implemented a participatory shore-based monitoring project examining beluga habitat use and exposure to anthropogenic activities in the Kenai River; designed and implemented a mixed-methods anthropological research study using interviews and questionnaires to explore local knowledge of beluga and observations of social and environmental change along the Kenai River; analyzed qualitative and quantitative data, summarized findings in scientific reports, presented research findings at community and professional meetings; participated in marine mammal stranding response efforts and assisted veterinary pathologists with field and lab necropsies of dead-stranded cetaceans; evaluated proposed development actions under Section 7 of the US ESA; assisted with large-scale public outreach event planning and implementation; designed interpretive signage to mitigate beluga disturbance in Cook Inlet.

 

Graduate Researcher, Applied Marine Social Science Lab                               

University of Maine Orono, School of Marine Sciences: Jul 2015 - Aug 2017

Conducted a mixed-methods anthropological research study examining social-ecological fit, knowledge and decision-making processes, social resilience, and harvester well-being in Maine’s co-managed green sea urchin fishery; employed various social science research methods to collect qualitative and quantitative data, including semi-structured interviews, participant observation, archived document analysis, and structured questionnaires; provided field support to the Cat Ledges Restoration Project, a restoration effort testing harvester-designed habitat restoration mechanisms in coastal Maine; presented findings in a report to the Maine Department of Marine Resources and in a peer-reviewed article published in the International Journal of the Commons. 

Research Assistant, Whale Shark Research Project        

University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Environmental Conservation, Isla Mujeres, Mexico: Aug 2016

Supported offshore ecological fieldwork for a research study using a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) to examine whale shark (Rhincodon typus) and tourist interactions in Mexico’s Whale Shark Biosphere Reserve; conducted a literature review to inform a related scientific manuscript.

Research Assistant, Golden Dorado Research Project

University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Environmental Conservation, Salta, Argentina: Apr - Jun 2015

Supported a stress physiology and movement study informing recreational angling best-practices and fishery conservation in northern Argentina; assisted with remote ecological fieldwork consisting of blood sampling, dorsal tagging, and fish tracking using radio telemetry at several remote sites; supported the design and implementation of a social science research study examining recreational angler behavior and adoption of conservation practices; translated research materials from English to Spanish and facilitated Spanish communications with local anglers, agency personnel, and project partners.

 

Program Intern, School for Field Studies (SFS)

Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies Program, Isla Solarte Field Station, Bocas del Toro, Panama: Jan - May 2014

Supported program administration and field station management; provided teaching assistance for undergraduate terrestrial ecology, coastal  ecology, and natural resources management courses; assisted with remote ecological fieldwork (e.g., insect and coral surveys); facilitated anthropological research employing semi-structured interviews to explore stakeholder observations of ecological change.

 

Aquatic Ecology Field Technician, Illinois Natural History Survey

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Great Rivers Field Station, Alton, IL: Jul - Nov 2012 / Sep - Dec 2013

Assisted with water quality and fish population sampling using a variety of gears including electrofishing boats, hoop, fyke, gill, and trammel nets; identified, measured, and recorded morphometric data on captured fishes; supported additional tasks in the field and lab including fish identification, sample processing, field vehicle operation and maintenance, data management, and community outreach and interpretation.

 

English Language Program Coordinator, Pangoa Cooperative

Cooperativa Agricultura Cafetalera Pangoa Limitada, Junin, Peru: Nov 2011 - Mar 2012

Supported development projects and international communications for a 900-member cooperative of small-scale coffee and cacao producers; administered English language programs for producers and their families; conducted Spanish-language interviews with cooperative members while pursuing undergraduate research on coffee and cacao production and trade in Peru.

 

Cooperative Business Co-manager, The People’s Market

University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA: Sep 2009 - May 2012

Co-managed a collective business specializing in the acquisition and sale of organic, fairly-traded, and globally-sourced products, responsibilities included: managing in-store sales, hiring and training new staff, bookkeeping, and serving on the cooperative’s Solidarity Action Committee; routinely facilitated business meetings and workshops on diversity and inclusion, sustainable product sourcing, and other themes.


 
 

Teaching & Facilitation

  • Broadreach, British Columbia Marine Mammal Studies Program, Academic Lead (Jul - Aug 2019)

  • Professional Development Workshop Facilitator, University of Maine (Oct 2015)                                             

  • Teaching Assistant, School for Field Studies, Bocas Del Toro, Panama (Jan - May 2014)

  • English Language Program Facilitator, CAC Pangoa Cooperative, Junín, Peru (Nov 2012 - Mar 2013)         

  • Course Facilitator, Modern Slavery, University of Massachusetts Amherst (Sep - Dec 2010)


 
 

Peer-Review & Editorial

  • Reviewer, Arctic Science, Canadian Science Publishing (Mar 2020 - Present)

  • Copy-Editor, University of Maine Department of Anthropology (Jun 2016)

  • Assistant Editor and Columnist, University of Massachusetts Daily Collegian Newspaper, Opinion-Editorial Section (Sep 2011 - May 2012)             


 
 

Volunteer

  • Board Member, Lake of the Woods International Sailing Association (Aug 2020 - Present)

  • Volunteer, Refugee Assistant and Immigration Services, Anchorage, Alaska (Jun - Nov 2019)

  • Volunteer, Refugee Assistant and Immigration Services, Anchorage, Alaska (Jan 2018 - Aug 2018)

  • Commodore, Lake of the Woods International Sailing Association, Ontario (Aug 2015 - Aug 2016)

  • Volunteer, Bangor Human Society, Bangor Maine (Nov 2016 - Aug 2017)

  • Volunteer, La Loma Jungle Lodge / Bonöre Design, Isla Bastimentos, Panama (May 2014)


 
 

Chairing

  • Co-Chair, ArcticNet Conference, Session: Arctic Marine Mammal Research and Monitoring (Dec 2021)

  • Co-Chair, Student Organization for Society and Natural Resources (Sep 2016 - Aug 2017)

  • Co-Chair, University of Maine School of Marine Science Social Committee (Sep 2016 - Aug 2017)


 
 

Additional

Languages

  • English

  • Spanish (Intermediate proficiency) 

Certifications

  • Firearm Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) (Feb 2024)

  • Part 107 Remotely Piloted Aircraft Certificate, US Federal Aviation Administration (May 2023)

  • Advanced Drone Operations Certificate, Transport Canada (Jun 2023)

  • Aviation Egress Training, Aviation Egress Systems, Winnipeg, MB (Mar 2023)

  • Basic Drone Operations Certificate, Transport Canada (Jun 2022)

  • Wilderness First Aid, Canadian Red Cross (May 2022)

  • Pleasure Craft Operator Card, Transport Canada (Jun 2020)

  • Federal Interagency Aviation Training (IAT) Water Ditching and Survival (A312) (Dec 2017)

  • Federal Interagency Aviation Training (IAT) (A100, A113; A116; A200) (May 2017; Sep 2023)

  • General Services Administration (GSA) Defensive Driving Course (Aug 2017)

  • Research in Human Subjects (CITI) (Jul 2015 ; Mar 2018; Dec 2020; Feb 2024)    

                      

Grants & Awards

  • ArcticNet Training Fund Award (Feb 2023)

  • University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF) (Sep 2022)

  • Best Graduate Student Oral Presentation, Alaska Marine Science Symposium (Jan 2022)

  • University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF) (Sep 2021)

  • International Graduate Student Entrance Scholarship, University of Manitoba (Nov 2020)

  • International Graduate Student Entrance Scholarship, University of Manitoba (Nov 2019)

  • Circle Hook Award, NOAA Fisheries (Sep 2017)

  • Graduate Student Government Travel Grant, University of Maine (Apr 2017)

  • Graduate Student Government Research Grant, University of Maine (Apr 2016)

  • Graduate Student Government Travel Grant, University of Maine (Apr 2015)

Technical Proficiencies

  • Drone operation for wildlife research and monitoring using DJI drones (Mavic Air, Mavic 2, Mavic 3, Phantom 4)

  • Autonomous habitat mapping using Pix4DCapture and DJI Mavic 2

  • Qualitative data analysis using NVivo Qualitative Data Analysis Software

  • Permit Acquisition and Reporting: s.38 Marine Mammal Disturbance Authorizations

  • Watercraft and small engine operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting

  • Systematic literature review using Rayyan platform

  • Web design using Squarespace and WordPress platforms

  • Video and audio editing using Mac programs

  • Visual and graphic design using Canva

Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Association of Early Career Polar Scientists (APECS) (2020-2024)

  • Member, International Association for Society and Natural Resources (IASNR) (2017)

  • Member, Association of American Geographers (AAG) (2017)

  • Member, Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Initiative (SCORAI) (2016)

Voyages

  • Newport to Ensenada Regatta (California to Mexico) (2018)

  • LOWISA Lake of the Woods International Sailing Association Regatta, Kenora, Ontario (2008-2017, 2020-2023)

  • Newport to Ensenada Regatta (California to Mexico and return delivery) (2015)

  • Long Point Regatta, Newport Beach, California (2014)