Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
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