Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

 

Doctor of Arts in Biology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho.......................................................12/2017

Dissertation: "An evaluation of digital storytelling as a novel approach to science communication and education."

Coursework: Biology Teaching Methods, Teaching Seminar (I, II, III, and IV), Biometry, Freshwater Ecology, Advanced Ecology of Streams and Rivers, Agroecology 

Advisor: Dr. Rosemary Smith

 

M.Sc. in Biology, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC.......................................................08/2013

Member of the Ecological and Conservation Genomics Laboratory

Thesis: “American pika population genetic structure, demographic history, and behaviour in an atypical environment.”

Coursework: Spatial Ecology, Population Genetics, Directed Studies in Molecular Ecology

Advisor: Dr. Michael Russello

 

Honours B.Sc. in Biology, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee.......................................................05/2011

Minor in Spanish

Coursework: General Ecology, Conservation Biology, Wildlife Biology, Ornithology, Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology, Cell Biology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry

 

High School Diploma, Harry Ainlay High School, Edmonton, AB.......................................................05/2008

Honours with Distinction, International Baccalaureate Program

 

 

 INTERPRETATION AND TEACHING

 

Interpretation Officer, Parks Canada, BC..................................................06/2019 – 09/2019

Led day-long hikes to the Burgess Shale fossil sites in Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. Developed interpretive programming (with a focus on ecology, geology, paleontology, and history), and delivered the programs on the trail. Managed groups of 12 adults and children in a hazardous environment. Worked with the visitor services team to develop new program ideas and materials.

 

Hiking Guide, Hoodoo Adventures..................................................09/2018 – 10/2018

Led guided hikes in the Okanagan Valley, BC, for groups of middle school students. Themes of the hikes included wilderness safety and preparedness, local flora, and ecology.

 

Park Communicator, Castle Provincial Park, AB..................................................04/2018 - 09/2018

 

Developed and delivered interpretive programming (e.g. a guided hike about edible and medicinal plants). Assisted with environmental education classes. Educated hundreds of visitors about the park management plan and the balance between conservation and recreation.

 

Digital Storyteller, southeast Idaho.......................................................01/2017 - 05/2017 

Created digital stories about science topics, research, and scientists by combining video clips, stills, soundtracks, animations, and documentation. Extensive use of Adobe Suite software. Transformed research into data-driven lesson plans. Visited middle schools and high schools to facilitate science digital storytelling workshops. Published digital stories to the ScienceLIVE: Lessons in Life Science website: https://www.lessonsinlifescience.org/buryingbeetles.

 

Teaching Intern, Idaho State University..................................................01/2015 - 05/2017

-General Ecology Laboratory: Managed multiple sections and instructed classes in the laboratory and field; developed and tested new inquiry-based laboratories; evaluated new teaching tools.

-Introductory Biology II: Drafted a new course syllabus, supported the lead instructor for 2/3 of the class periods; served as the lead instructor for 1/3 of the class periods.

-Introductory Biology I: Facilitated weekly Supplementary Instruction sessions.

-Genetics: Guest lectured, developed problem sets, and wrote exam questions.

 

Outreach Instructor, Idaho State University..................................................09/2014 - 05/2015  

Facilitated outreach sessions for K-12 students, teachers, and community members. Wrote lesson plans, performed science demonstrations, and taught key physics and biology concepts.

 

Field Instructor, Camp Highland Outdoor Science School, California..................................................09/2013 - 06/2014

Prepared lesson plans, designed new teaching materials, and taught groups of middle school students. Focused on courses covering wildlife ecology, geology, plants, and aquatic study, and taught both in the classroom and on-trail.

 

Teaching Assistant, UBC Okanagan..................................................09/2011 - 05/2013

Instructed laboratory courses at the undergraduate level. Created video study materials for students. Courses taught: Introductory Biology and Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology.

 

Practical Teaching Experience Credential, UBC Okanagan..................................................04/2013

Had teaching sessions observed and received feedback from members of the Centre for Teaching and Learning. Received endorsements from professors and undergraduate students.

 

Teaching Foundations Credential, UBC Okanagan..................................................04/2013

Completed a course in effective teaching methods. Conducted teaching sessions and attended seminars focussed on the use of technology in the classroom.

 

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

 

Research Assistant, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Colorado..................................................07/2015 and 07/2016

Filmed researchers conducting burying beetle censuses and rodent trapping. Assisted with sample collection and data entry. Created digital stories from the video footage.

 

Research Assistant, North Cascades, Washington..................................................08/2013

Contributed to a broad scale study of the American pika. Conducted observations, site reconnaissance, hair snare deployment, sample collection, and data entry.

 

Master's thesis project, UBC Okanagan..................................................09/2011 - 05/2013

Planned, implemented, and published the results from a population genetic study of American pika. Conducted field work on talus slopes around Mount Hood, Oregon, mentored two research assistants, and completed genetic analyses in the laboratory.

 

Field research volunteer, Vernon, BC..................................................04/2013 - 08/2013

Member of a hummingbird monitoring group conducting research for the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Assisted with net trapping, leg banding, and data entry.

  

Field research volunteer, Nederland, Colorado..................................................06/2011 - 07/2011

Participated in the American Pika Research Project. Observed live-trapping and handling techniques, and assisted with trap setting, sample collection, and data entry in a high alpine environment.

 

Field research volunteer, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana..................................................01/2011 - 05/2011

Participated in local field studies and research projects. Completed an independent research paper addressing the issues of elephant management in southern Africa.

 

 

LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK

 

Ski Patroller, SilverStar Mountain Resort, Vernon, BC..................................................11/2018 – 04/2019

Member of the mountain patrol team. Provided first aid and visitor safety services.

 

 

Adventure Learning workshop leader, Idaho State University..................................................06/2015, 06/2016, 06/2017

 

Helped create and deliver teacher workshops for the Managing Idaho's Landscapes for Ecosystem Services (MILES) project. Duties included recruiting teachers, organizing field excursions, designing activities, and leading digital storytelling clinics.

 

Biology Graduate Student Association, Idaho State University..................................................09/2014 - 05/2017

Served a one-year term as the President, a one-year term as the Chair of the Fundraising Committee, and a one-year term on the Travel Grant Committee. 

 

Biology Graduate Student Society, UBC Okanagan..................................................07/2012 - 07/2013

Served on the executive council, and was the elected student representative for the Graduate Committee. Helped write the society constitution, organize seminars, and fundraise.

 

Collegium Assistant, UBC Okanagan..................................................01/2013 - 04/2013

Served as a leader in the Graduate and Non-Traditional Student Collegium. Hosted various programs to encourage academic collaboration and networking.

 

Varsity Athlete..................................................09/2008 - 12/2012

Member of the Ultimate Frisbee Team at the UBC Okanagan, and organized entry into the Canadian University Ultimate Championships.

Member of the X-Country Running Team at the UBC Okanagan. Received a scholarship and helped the women’s squad place 4^th at Nationals.

Member of the Women’s Soccer Team at the University of Memphis. Received a full scholarship and helped win 3 consecutive Championships.

 

 

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

 

Robson, Kelsey. 2018. Project Burying Beetles. ScienceLIVE: Lessons in Life Science. https://www.lessonsinlifescience.org/buryingbeetles.

 

Heinrich, K.K., Kelsey M. Robson and C.V. Baxter. 2017. Investigating Aquatic Insect Emergence: A Demonstration of the 5E Learning Cycle. American Biology Teacher 79 (3): 225-232.

 

Robson, K.M., C.T. Lamb and M.A. Russello. 2015. Low genetic diversity, restricted dispersal, and elevation-specific patterns of population decline in American pikas in an atypical environment. Journal of Mammalogy X: 1-9.

 

Lamb, C.T., K.M. Robson and M.A. Russello. 2014. Development and application of a molecular sexing protocol in the climate change-sensitive American pika. Conservation Genetics Resources 6: 17-19.

 

Lemay, M.A., P. Henry, C.T. Lamb, K.M. Robson and M.A. Russello. 2013. Genomic resources for a climate change sensitive mammal: characterization of the American pika transcriptome. BMC Genomics 14: 311.

 

Where water meets land: Empowering students and citizen scientists to investigate aquatic insect emergence, poster presentation

Ecological Society of America annual conference, 2015

 

An Evening of Art and Science, invited panel speaker

Ecological Society of America annual conference, 2015

 

Adventure Learning Teacher Workshops, oral presentation

Idaho Environmental Education Association annual conference, 2015

 

American pika population genetic structure, demographic history, and behaviour in an atypical environment, poster presentation

Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution annual conference, 2013