Download Curriculum Vitae - College of William and Mary

Robert E. Isdell
PO Box 1346, Gloucester Pt, VA 23062
(w) 804-684-7718; (f) 804-684-7179
[email protected]
OBJECTIVE
To conduct research and acquire experience at the graduate level, using an
interdisciplinary approach to address issues in conservation and resource management.
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy, Marine Science
Expected: 12/2018
Virginia Institute of Marine Science; Gloucester Point, VA
Related course work: Marine fisheries science, Marine Resource Management Techniques, Physical
Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography, Biological Oceanography, Marine Geology, Headwater Wetlands
Ecology, Marine Ecology
Research: My dissertation involves integrating natural and anthropogenic systems on a large scale through a
combination of fieldwork, GIS, spatial modeling, and community outreach. The first chapter of my
dissertation assesses the role of ribbed mussels (Geukensia demissa) in the ecosystem services such as nutrient
removal and sediment stabilization of natural infrastructure projects in the Chesapeake Bay. The second
chapter places the natural infrastructure projects in a landscape perspective to identify areas of greatest
positive impact to the environment and property. The final chapter of my dissertation projects the effects of a
0.6-m sea-level rise on tidal marsh extent and connectivity throughout the Chesapeake Bay, and seeks to
relate the changes to impacts on the ecology and economics of the region.
Recipient:
 Norfolk Southern Scholarship – Spring 2014 – Amount: $4,000
 Beazley Fellowship – 2014-2015 – Amount: $2,100
 Gottwald Fellowship – 2016-2017 – Amount: $7,129
Master of Science, Biology
Received 01/10/2014
The College of William and Mary; Williamsburg, VA
Related course work: Linear Models in Ecology, Invasion Ecology, GIS for Biologists
Research: My thesis involved the development of a species distribution map of diamondback terrapins
(Malaclemys terrapin) in the lower Chesapeake Bay. This work integrates landscape ecology, geospatial
modeling, and spatial statistics to develop an occupancy model predicting the effects of human disturbances
at the terrestrial-aquatic interface. Spatial application of the model is achieved through a Geographic
Information System (GIS) that incorporates satellite imagery and land use information. Results identify
critical habitat and thresholds for diamondback terrapins, and validate with independent data.
Recipient:
 Graduate Merit Summer Research Fellowship – 2013 – Amount: $6,000
Bachelor of Science, Biology
Received: 12/16/2010
The University of North Carolina – Greensboro; Greensboro, NC
Related course work: Biology, Chemistry, Organic chemistry, Ecology, Physics, Genetics, Cell Biology,
The Biosphere, The Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles, Vertebrate Zoology, Marine Biology,
Invertebrate Zoology, Calculus, Statistics, Molecular Biological Approach to Research
GPA: 4.00
Honors: Summa cum laude
GRE Scores:
Verbal: 630
Quantitative: 730
Analytical: 4.0
Recipient:
 Undergraduate Research Assistantship for the Summer and Fall of 2009
 UNC Greensboro Biology Department Undergraduate Research Support
 Student Excellence Award – Highest academic honor for undergraduates
Research: My undergraduate research advisor, Dr. Anne E. Hershey, and I worked on comparing
invertebrate community structure between fishless ponds and fishless lakes on the North Slope of Alaska.
Habitat gradients were examined as a driving force behind the differences in invertebrate communities in
these habitats. Stable isotope analyses were also used to better determine invertebrate community dynamics.
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Jirinec, V., R. E. Isdell, M. Leu. 2016. Prey availability and habitat structure explain breeding space use of a
migratory songbird. The Condor: Ornithological Applications. 118(2), 309-328.
Isdell, R. E., R. M. Chambers, D. M. Bilkovic, and M. Leu. 2015. Effects of terrestrial-aquatic connectivity
on an estuarine turtle. Diversity and Distributions. 21(6), 643-653.
RESEARCH REPORTS
Berman, M.R., Nunez, K., Killeen, S., Rudnicky, T., Bradshaw, J., Angstadt, K., Stanhope, D., Tombleson, C.,
Duhring, K., Renaud, A., Isdell, R., Braff, P., Weiss, D., and Hershner, C.H. (2015) Lancaster County,
Virginia - Shoreline Inventory Report: Methods and Guidelines, SRAMSOE no.448, Comprehensive
Coastal Inventory Program, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary,
Gloucester Point, Virginia, 23062.
Bilkovic, D. M., M. Mitchell, and R. E. Isdell. (2014) Johns Point Landing Living Shoreline – Ecological
Monitoring. Final Report to Gloucester County.
GRANTS IN SUPPORT OF RESEARCH
2015-2016
School of Marine Science Student Research Grants, “Ecological Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Salt
Marshes in the Chesapeake Bay: Patterns and Processes of Ribbed Mussel (Geukensia demissa) Populations”
PIs: R. Isdell, D. Bilkovic, and C. Hershner, ($2,798.29)
CURRENT PROJECTS
 Effects of sea-level rise on tidal marsh landscape dynamics; Collaborators: Donna M. Bilkovic, Carlton
Hershner, Y. Joseph Zhang, Karinna Nuñez; Funding – NSF Coastal SEES
 Effects of Fine-scale Rainfall Patterns on Bird Occurrence in the Southwest; Collaborators: Matthias Leu,
Steven T. Knick, Steve S. Hanser, Kurt Fesenmeyer & John T. Rotenberry; Funding – US DoD Legacy
Program, USGS Joint Venture Capital
 Land use and rural development effects on shoreline armoring and dock growth in coastal Virginia;
Collaborators: Matthias Leu, Donna M. Bilkovic, Molly Mitchell; Funding – College of William and Mary,
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
POSTERS AND PRESENTATIONS
 May 2016 – Ecological drivers of ribbed mussel populations – Virginia Association of Wetland Professionals
2016 Annual Spring Meeting – Richmond, VA – Poster
 November 2015 – Barriers to inland migration: Salt marshes and sea level rise – CERF 2015 – Portland, OR –
Poster
 January 2015 – Chesapeake Bay sustainability – Implications of changing climate and shifting management –
NSF Coastal SEES PI meeting – Arlington, VA – Poster, co-author
 November 2014 – Assessment of landscape-seascape connectivity in a developed estuary based on
diamondback terrapin distribution models – 7th National Summit on Coastal and Estuarine Restoration and
24th Biennial Meeting of The Coastal Society – Poster
 September 2013 – Using Spatial Models to Assess the Impacts of Landscape and Seascape Factors on the
Distribution of Diamondback Terrapins – 6th Symposium on the Ecology, Status, and Conservation of
Diamondback Terrapins – Oral Presentation
 March 2013 - Factors influencing shrubland bird habitat use on the wintering grounds in the southwestern
U.S. – 125th Annual Meeting of the Wilson’s Ornithological Society - Oral Presentation
 March 2012 – Ecosystem Health and Functioning in the Aquatic-Terrestrial Ecosystem: Bridging the Gap with
Spatial Models – 11th Annual W&M Graduate Research Symposium – Poster
 August 2010 – Native Widgeon Grass and Non-native Macroalgae as Nursery Habitat for Blue Crabs –
Virginia Institute of Marine Science REU Symposium – Oral Presentation
 April 2010 – Differences in Invertebrate Community Structure Across a Habitat Gradient – UNCG
Undergraduate Research Symposium - Poster
WORK EXPERIENCE
 Graduate Research Assistant – Virginia Institute of Marine Science, School of Marine Science, College of
William and Mary, Center for Coastal Resources Management; Gloucester Point, VA – January 2014 - Present
 Teaching Assistant – College of William and Mary, Department of Biology; Williamsburg, VA – August 2011 –
May 2013
 Long-term Substitute – Accomack County Public Schools – Nandua High School; Accomac, VA – February
2011 – June 2011
 NSF REU Intern – Virginia Institute of Marine Science; Gloucester Point, VA – Summer 2010
 Undergraduate Research Assistant/Lab Manager – Dr. Anne Hershey Aquatic Ecology Lab, University of
North Carolina-Greensboro; Greensboro, NC – August 2008 – December 2010
 Scenic Carpenter – ADCO Signs and Scenic; Onancock, VA – Summer 2008
 Teaching Assistant – Southern Adventist University – Fall 2007
 Summer research assistant – Virginia Tech’s Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center;
Painter, VA – Summer 2006, 2007
ACTIVITIES
Clubs & Professional Organizations
 Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society: March 2010 – Present
 Coastal Estuarine Research Sociecty – November 2015 - Present
 Diamondback Terrapin Working Group – February 2014 - Present
 Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society: March 2009 – Present
Scuba Experience
 PADI open water diver certification April 2008
 PADI advanced open water diver certification October 2008
 Specialties include: computer diving, navigation, night and limited visibility, wreck diving experience.
Volunteer Work
 Tasley Volunteer Fire Company volunteer firefighter: 2001 – Present
 Fundraiser to benefit The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center: May 2009
 The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center Volunteer: Spring 2009
 Caribbean Conservation Corporation Eco-Volunteer: August 2009