Fall 2001.
Image by Meghan Dinkins
Jan.2002-May 2005
Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, School of Biological Sciences, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
I have taught ecology, general biology, and botany laboratories. My project is on Canada Thistle insect biocontrol effectiveness in western Nebraska.
Nov.-Dec. 2001
Field Assistant, Zoological Institute, University of Bern, Wengen, Berner Oberland, Switzerland
Tracked radio collared chamois with large zero-peak antennas mounted on fixed towers. Learned about chamois biology. Ran a palmtop computer.
April-Oct. 2001
Project Biologist, EDM International-Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, Coleharbor, North Dakota USA
Conducted the field operations of an avian power line collision study. Collected, identified, photographed, and necropsied avian specimens (including a federally threatened species) for power line collision injuries. Dealt with television, radio, and newspaper interest in this project. Collaborated with local and national electrical power concerns and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Jan.-March 2001
Field Technician, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Little Falls, Minnesota, USA
I used ground based radio telemetry to monitor white-tailed deer locations at Camp Ripley, MN. Ran the XYLOG program for triangulation and Garmin GPS units. Collected weather data and helped with white-tailed deer and black bear capture and data collecting.
Aug.-Dec. 2000
Assistant, Agriculture Research Service, Northern Great Plains Research Center, Mandan, North Dakota, USA
I assisted a soil scientist with soil erosion and crop root studies. I analyzed soil samples in the laboratory and helped with a field rainfall erosion project.
May-Aug. 2000
Biological Technician, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET), Bismarck, North Dakota, USA
Participated in the 4.0 square mile waterfowl survey in the Prairie Pothole region of central North Dakota. I analyzed aerial photography using the MIPS GIS computer system, surveyed
duck ponds, nest searched, and did data analyses.
Aug. 1999- April 2000
Assistant Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Collected vegetation data in NE Texas using military (LCTA) methodology. Used a Trimble GPS unit for locating sampling points and a Microsoft Access program for vegetation data analysis. Wrote a final report summarizing my findings. Made maps using ArcView and gained exposure to ecoregional planning, prairie restoration, and managing a grassland preserve. Served as a United States representative at bird function in Mexico. Received fire training (S-130/S-190) and assisted with a prescribed burn.
July-Aug. 1999
Field Assistant, North Dakota State University Animal Science Department, Hazen, North Dakota, USA
Surveyed vegetation on remediated coal mine sites.
May-July 1999
Field Assistant, Colorado State University Co-op Unit, Dickinson, North Dakota, USA
Conducted point counts of grassland birds on the Little Missouri National Grassland. Used a Magellan GPS unit. Worked closely with the Forest Service. Estimated shrub and vegetation cover on sample plots. Identified birds by sight and sound. The study was published by my supervisor in Journal of Range Management (2004) 57: 238-242.
May 1998- May 1999
Biological Technician, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Jamestown, North Dakota, USA, and Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota, USA
Surveyed exotic plants in mixed-grass and ponderosa pine forest settings at Wind Cave National Park from May to October. Used a Trimble GPS unit to locate random sample points. Gained knowledge and exposure to exotic plant identification and management. After October 1998, I worked on a series of literature syntheses titled Effects of Management Practices on Grassland Birds. Species I wrote about included Upland Sandpiper, Brown-headed Cowbird, Swainson's Hawk, Vesper Sparrow, and Horned Lark.
Jan.-May 1998
Laboratory Assistant, University of Wyoming Botany Department, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
Dried, weighed, and ground brome grass samples and made pellets for carbon-hydrogen-nitrogen analysis.
Sept.-Dec. 1997
Tutor, University of Wyoming Student Educational Opportunity, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
Tutored college students in biology, genetics, statistics, physics, and English.
June-Aug. 1997
Vegetation Worker, BKS Environmental Associates, Gillette, Wyoming, USA
Did coal mine baseline and remediation vegetation surveys.
Jan.- May 1997
Intern, Wyoming Natural Diversity Database-The Nature Conservancy,Laramie, Wyoming, USA
Updated files for breeding birds (including Common Loon, American White Pelican, Scott's Oriole, and Western Screech Owl) of Wyoming on the Nature Conservancy's BCD National Heritage Program database. Mapped bird sighting locations.
EDUCATION
2002-2005
M.S. Biology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
Coursework: Graduate Statistics, Experimental Design, Multiple Regression, Insect Taxonomy, Range Plants, Ecological Principles,
Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
1994-1998
B.S. biology, environment and natural resources concentration, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
Coursework: Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Practice; Water Resources Seminar; Remote Sensing of the Environment (lecture and seminar); General and Organic Chemistry; Geology; Physics; Calculus; Statistics; General, Field, Vegetation, and Population Ecology; Principles of Fish and Wildlife Management; Biology; Genetics; Mycology; Ornithology; Mass Media; Journalism; Public Speaking, French.
PUBLICATION
Schaffer, Jill A.,Christopher M. Goldade, Meghan F. Dinkins, Douglas H. Johnson, Lawrence D. Igl, and Betty R. Euliss. 2003. Brown-headed Cowbirds in Grasslands:Their Habitats, Hosts, and Response to Management. Prairie Naturalist 35(3):145-186.
HONORS RECEIVED
-U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resource Division Star Award ($500 pay bonus for field work at Wind Cave National Park), December 1998
-Outstanding Undergraduate Award, University of Wyoming Department of Zoology and Physiology, May 1998
COMPUTER SKILLS
-MIPS, ArcView, Word, Pathfinder, WordPerfect, Excel, Access, Procite, PC-ORD, Derive, Minitab, SAS, XYLOG
TRAINING
-Fire Training Courses: S-130 and S-190 (I am certified to assist with prescribed burns for The Nature Conservancy)
-First Aid and CPR Training, American Red Cross
Field Evaluation of exotic insects deliberately released for the biological control of Canada Thistle.
Link:
http://abstracts.co.allenpress.com/pweb/esa2004/document/?ID=35345
Researchers have found nearly 500 dead birds at Lake Audubon (North Dakota Public Radio, Summer 2001)
Wolf and deer studies continue at Camp Ripley (Brainard News-Dispatch, Winter, 2001).
Nomads of the DNR: Interns go where they must to launch wildlife management careers (Brainard News-Dispatch, Winter 2001)
(Based off of work I helped with for the USDA)
Runoff, Soil Erosion & Erodibility of CRP Land Under Crop & Hay Production.
Soil Sci. Am. J. 68: 1332-1341, 2004
Zheng et al. 2004
Camp Ripley, Minnesota, Winter 2001.
Fall 2001
Image by Meghan Dinkins
(Based off of research I helped with in summer 1999) :
Effects of distance from cattle water developments on grassland birds.
Journal of Range Managment 2004. 57: 238-242.
Image by Meghan Dinkins
Image by Chandreyee Mitra
Erica von Allman,Vince Green,Jamie Eaton,
Aisha Baba Dikwa,Kirstine O'Connor, Meghan Dinkins
Image by Andreas Boldt.
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