IMOGENE A DAVIS

University of Georgia

Savannah River Ecology Laboratory

832.314.4550

EDUCATION

M.S. Biology August 2012-August 2015

West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX 79016

Graduate Research Assistantship 2012-2015

Cumulative GPA: 4.0

B.Sc. Animal Science May 2010

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695

Major GPA: 3.4

Cumulative GPA: 2.8

RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Research Technician September 2015-current

Savannah River Ecology Laboratory

Aiken, SC 29801

  • Screen and optimize primersfor the SREL genetic marker development program
  • Perform DNA extraction, touchdown and quantitative PCR, microsatellite genotyping and sequencing on a variety of genetic and ecotoxicology projects
  • Investigate the population genetics of the endangered striped newt in Florida
  • Assist long term monitoring efforts for the Rainbow Bay amphibian study
  • Evaluate spatial capture-recapture in coyotes using fecal DNA
  • Data analysis and manuscript preparation

Research Assistant- Mesocarnivore genetic structure in West Texas August 2012- July 2015

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, TX 79015

  • Sole responsibility for identification of research hypothesis, research project design, and written proposal
  • Responsible for writing and obtaining institutional Animal Care and Handling protocol certification
  • Field volunteer training and supervision
  • Livetrap, anesthetize, and handle bobcats and gray foxes
  • Standard blood draw techniques for jugular and femoral vein sites
  • Collect morphological measurements
  • Conduct DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, and fragment analysis on bobcat, coyote, and gray fox tissue
  • Determine variation in nine microsatellite loci to generate composite genotypes of bobcats
  • Public outreach and interagency collaboration
  • Grant and scholarship application
  • Inventory and conservation genetics laboratory management

Research Assistant- Teaching support, genetics laboratory January 2014- June 2015

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, TX 79015

  • TA for Genetics Lab (BIOL3201)
  • Prepare and set up laboratory experiments, which primarily involved laboratory techniques and molecular examinations
  • Lead students in laboratory sections, including lecture and demonstration of laboratory techniques
  • Teach DNA extraction, PCR, and fragment analysis
  • Hold office hours and assist students with questions through personal meetings, email
  • Design lab assignments, quizzes, and exams, grade all assignments

Private Contractor April 2014- January 2015Conservation Lands Foundation

Durango, CO

  • Community organization for support for Bureau of Land Management property conversion to a conservation area
  • Organize community and volunteer collaboration for ecological restoration

Carnivore Monitoring Technician GS-04 May- August 2012

United State Forest Service

Shaver Lake, CA 93664

  • Set hair collecting stations with camera traps for genetic data on Pacific fisher and American marten
  • Construct and monitor track plate boxes to confirm presence of study species on Sierra and Sequoia National Forests
  • Collect, store, and manage field data and hair samples
  • Mentor interns in the field for the Student Conservation Association

Carnivore TechnicianJanuary 2012

University of California Davis

Davis, CA 95616

  • Perform winter surveys via wildlife camera stations for Cascade red fox and wolverines
  • Identify areas of habitat use for long-term forest carnivore monitoring
  • Collect genetic material for DNA analysis to determine red fox and wolverine populations
  • Install and manage camera trap arrays
  • Track animals via snowmobile and snowshoeing

Research Technician May-September 2011

Mississippi State University

Starkville, MS 39762

  • Set hair snares for DNA analysis to determine resident black bear population in Missouri
  • Set and monitor infrared camera trapsand manage snare locations
  • Retrieve dropped GPS collars via GPS clusters and compass
  • Assist radio-collaring bears
  • Operate 4WD vehicles
  • Work with private landowners, state biologists, Conservation Department Staff

Research Assistant January-February 2011

University of British Columbia Okanagan

Kelowna, BC V1V V17

  • Live capture and handle bobcats, collect morphological measurements
  • Track bobcats via snowshoes to assess habitat selection and movement
  • Winter vegetation surveys to measure habitat characteristics
  • Operate snowmobiles to conduct snow track surveys

Endocrinology Intern September-December 2010

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Front Royal, VA 22630

  • Assess fecal steroid hormones for clouded leopard in vitro fertilization
  • Determine boiling extraction efficiency of fecalsamples from artificial light cycles
  • Perform EIA assays to measure estrogen and progesterone levels in domestic cats
  • Participate in the Autumn Conservation Festival for the Clouded Leopard Project

Research AssistantJune-September 2010

University of British Columbia Okanagan

Kelowna, BC V1V V17

  • Conduct snowshoe hare pellet counts and vegetation surveys at confirmed bobcat habitat and random sites to measure prey abundance and measure habitat characteristics
  • Locate collared bobcats through GPS and radio telemetry
  • Perform bobcat necropsies for DNA collection and to determine prey selection
  • Collect national furharvest data for time series analysis

Animal Care Intern September 2009-June 2010

Carolina Tiger Rescue

Pittsboro, NC 27312

  • Care for exotic cats, binturongs, and kinkajous in a no-touch sanctuary facility
  • Prepare diet, administer food and water, and minor medical care
  • Assist in necropsies and veterinary workups
  • Design and implement enrichment activities
  • Assist in transportation of animals and observation for behavioral research efforts

SELECTED COURSEWORK

Research methods in Environmental Science- Biostatistics Spring 2015

Wildlife Management Techniques Spring 2014

Conservation Genetics Spring 2014

Plant Classification Fall 2013

Conservation Biology Spring 2013

Wildlife Nutritional Ecology Spring 2013

Population Genetics Fall 2012

SCHOLARSHIPS

West Texas A&M University Resident Graduate Designated Tuition Scholarship

Years: 2013, 2014, 2015

$3,900.00 total awarded

Tom Kritser Scholarship, West Texas A&M University

Years: 2013

$250.00 total awarded

West Texas A&M University Graduate Travel Award

Years: 2012, 2013

$500.00 total awarded

RESEARCH GRANTS

Davis, I. FY2014. Landscape Genetics of Felids and Canids in the Texas Panhandle. West Texas A&M Univ. Killgore Research Grant ($1,980.00)

Davis, I. FY2013. Landscape Genetics of Mesocarnivores on the Llano Estacado in Texas. West Texas A&M Univ. Killgore Research Grant ($3,500.00)

PRESENTATIONS AT PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS

* Denotes award-winning presentation

+ Denotes speaker

Sprauer, S.E.+, J.C Broderick, R.K. Newbury, I.A. Davis, , and J.E. Janecka. Exploring the Adaptations of bobcats to diverse ecosystems by identifying genomic regions under selection. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference. Winnipeg, Manitoba October 2015. Presentation.

Sprauer, S.E.+, J.C Broderick, I.A. Davis, R.K. Newbury, and J.E. Janecka. Exploring the Adaptations of Bobcats to Diverse Ecosystems by Identifying Genomic Regions under Selection. Duquense University Undergraduate Research Symposium. Pittsburgh, PA July 2015. Poster.

*Davis, I.A.+, Ward, R., and Richard T. Kazmaier. The genetic structure of bobcats in western Texas. West Texas A&M University Killgore Research Symposium. Canyon, TX April 2015. Presentation.

Davis, I.A.+, Ward, R., and Richard T Kazmaier. Landscape effects on bobcat genetic structure across ecoregions in West Texas. The Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, Texas. February 2015. Presentation.

Davis, I.A.+, R. Ward, and R.T. Kazmaier. Putative genetic structure of bobcats in the Texas Panhandle. West Texas A&M University Student Research Conference, Canyon, TX. April 2014. Presentation.

Davis, I.A.+, R. Ward, and R.T. Kazmaier. Landscape-scale differentiation in gene flow of mesocarnivores in the Texas Panhandle. The Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Austin, Texas. February 2014. Presentation.

Davis, I.A.+,R. Hobbs, and J. Howard. Optimizing oocyte quality for in vitro embryo production in the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Intern Symposium, Front Royal, Virginia. December 2010. Presentation.

PUBLICATIONS

Janecka, J.E., M.E. Tewes, I.A. Davis, L.L. Laack, A. Caso, L.I. Grassman, A.M. Haines, and R.L. Honeycutt. In preparation. Comparative impacts of fragmentation on landscape genetics of a habitat generalist and specialist, the bobcat and ocelot. Biological Conservation.

Davis, I.A., R.T. Kazmaier, J.E. Janecka, and R. Ward. In preparation. Landscape-mediated genetic structure of bobcats in western Texas.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

The Wildlife Society

Molecular Ecology Working Group of The Wildlife Society

Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society

Women of Wildlife, Southwest Section of The Wildlife Society

OUTREACH AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Presenter on wildlife biology, Boy Scouts of Amarillo family day, Amarillo, Texas, Spring 2015

Public liaison, Conservation Lands Foundation: community meeting organizer, host, Fall 2014

Interview: Research as a wildlife biologist, Southwest Jaguars blog, Summer 2014

Presenter on wildlife biology, Boy Scouts of Amarillo family day, Amarillo, Texas, Spring 2014

Interview: Carnivore Trends, Amarillo Globe News, February 2014

Activities Committee Chair, West Texas A&M University Chapter of The Wildlife Society 2013-2014

Speaker: Careers in Science and Math, Panhandle Girl Scouts, West Texas A&M University 2012

Speaker: Career Day, Kerr High School, Katy, Texas 2012

Student Representative, The National FFA Alumni Association, 2007-2009

President, North Carolina State University Collegiate FFA, 2007-2008

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS

First Aid Certification2015

CPR Certification2015

GIS Course, Bozeman, Montana2013

Avalanche Safety Training, Level I, Trout Lake, WA2012

Chemical Immobilization Course, Pittsboro NC2009

Songbird Rehabilitation Course, Houston TX2009

Small Mammal Handling Course, Houston TX2009

Wildlife Biology Study Abroad, Queensland Australia2008

FAMACHA Certification (strategic deworming, ungulates) 2007