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Valerie R. Milici
[email protected]
EDUCATION
In Progress Ph.D. Student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut.
Advisor, Robi Bagchi
Research Project: Effects of Decreased Precipitation on Plant-Fungal Interactions
2013 B.Sc. Biology, Indiana University, with distinction, with departmental honors.
Advisor, James Bever
Honors Thesis: Growth Responses of Plants in a Prairie Restoration to Soil Microorganisms
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2010-2013 James Bever Laboratory, Indiana University
Worked as undergraduate researcher under the guidance of Anna Larimer, PhD and later James Bever. Studied the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia bacteria on plant growth in a prairie restoration. Discovered that the relationship between plant species and their symbionts is unpredictable. This research was analyzed and presented for my undergraduate honors thesis.
2012 Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL), Gothic, Colorado
Worked as an advanced independent researcher under the guidance of Paul CaraDonna. Studied the nesting habitat and nesting requirements of Megachilidae bees. Discovered that available nesting material is a predictor for Megachilidae nest site choice. Developed a method for quantifying available nesting material.
2011 CIEE Costa Rica, Tropical Ecology and Conservation Program
Studied changes to the ground invertebrate community along a forest regeneration gradient under the guidance of Pablo Allen. Discovered that the invertebrate community increases in species richness as regeneration progresses.
TEACHING
2016-Present Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Connecticut
Lead lab sections of Introductory Biology and Ecology
2015-2016 Teacher, Manatee School for the Arts, Palmetto, Fl
Biology and Physical Science, grades 9 & 10
2014-2015 Substitute Teacher, Manatee School for the Arts, Palmetto, Fl
Long-term substitute teacher for Biology and Physical Science, grades 9 &10
2012 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Indiana University
Assisted an introduction to Biology course taught by Al Ruesink, PhD. Lead a weekly discussion, created worksheets, proctored exams, and graded exams.
AWARDS & PRESENTATIONS
2017 Tinker Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship ($2000)
Fellowship to support research abroad in Panama during the 2017 field season.
2017 How Mutualistic Fungi Shape our Forests and Gardens
Presented at Goodwin Nature Center over the importance of AM Fungi.
2016 Tinker Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship ($4000)
Fellowship to support research abroad in Panama during the 2017 field season.
2013 Defense- Undergraduate Honors Thesis
Successfully presented and defended research on the effects of soil microbes on prairie restoration to obtain departmental honors.
2012 Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory Research Symposium
Presented research on nesting biology of Megachilidae bees.
2012 Indianapolis daffodil society ($1000)
Scholarship awarded on behalf of prairie restoration research at Indiana University.
2012 Women in Science Research Symposium
Presented poster summarizing prairie restoration research at Indiana University.
2011 CIEE Tropical Ecology and Conservation Research Symposium
Presented research on changes to the invertebrate community along a forest regeneration gradient.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
2013 & 2015 Terra Ceia Preserve State Park, Palmetto, Fl.
Worked on invasive species management projects, helped construct a road that preserves the natural hydrology of the park, set up project to compare the post-burn effects of different ground cover species in reducing invasive species re-growth.
2014 Greene’s Organic Farm, Melbourne, Aus.
Planted, fertilized, harvested, and sold produce. Managed co-planting to optimize growth.
2013 Sea Turtle Trackers, St. Pete Beach, Fl
Monitored sea turtle nests, informed the public, and ensured the safe passage of hatchlings to the bay.
[email protected]
EDUCATION
In Progress Ph.D. Student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut.
Advisor, Robi Bagchi
Research Project: Effects of Decreased Precipitation on Plant-Fungal Interactions
2013 B.Sc. Biology, Indiana University, with distinction, with departmental honors.
Advisor, James Bever
Honors Thesis: Growth Responses of Plants in a Prairie Restoration to Soil Microorganisms
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2010-2013 James Bever Laboratory, Indiana University
Worked as undergraduate researcher under the guidance of Anna Larimer, PhD and later James Bever. Studied the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia bacteria on plant growth in a prairie restoration. Discovered that the relationship between plant species and their symbionts is unpredictable. This research was analyzed and presented for my undergraduate honors thesis.
2012 Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL), Gothic, Colorado
Worked as an advanced independent researcher under the guidance of Paul CaraDonna. Studied the nesting habitat and nesting requirements of Megachilidae bees. Discovered that available nesting material is a predictor for Megachilidae nest site choice. Developed a method for quantifying available nesting material.
2011 CIEE Costa Rica, Tropical Ecology and Conservation Program
Studied changes to the ground invertebrate community along a forest regeneration gradient under the guidance of Pablo Allen. Discovered that the invertebrate community increases in species richness as regeneration progresses.
TEACHING
2016-Present Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Connecticut
Lead lab sections of Introductory Biology and Ecology
2015-2016 Teacher, Manatee School for the Arts, Palmetto, Fl
Biology and Physical Science, grades 9 & 10
2014-2015 Substitute Teacher, Manatee School for the Arts, Palmetto, Fl
Long-term substitute teacher for Biology and Physical Science, grades 9 &10
2012 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Indiana University
Assisted an introduction to Biology course taught by Al Ruesink, PhD. Lead a weekly discussion, created worksheets, proctored exams, and graded exams.
AWARDS & PRESENTATIONS
2017 Tinker Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship ($2000)
Fellowship to support research abroad in Panama during the 2017 field season.
2017 How Mutualistic Fungi Shape our Forests and Gardens
Presented at Goodwin Nature Center over the importance of AM Fungi.
2016 Tinker Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship ($4000)
Fellowship to support research abroad in Panama during the 2017 field season.
2013 Defense- Undergraduate Honors Thesis
Successfully presented and defended research on the effects of soil microbes on prairie restoration to obtain departmental honors.
2012 Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory Research Symposium
Presented research on nesting biology of Megachilidae bees.
2012 Indianapolis daffodil society ($1000)
Scholarship awarded on behalf of prairie restoration research at Indiana University.
2012 Women in Science Research Symposium
Presented poster summarizing prairie restoration research at Indiana University.
2011 CIEE Tropical Ecology and Conservation Research Symposium
Presented research on changes to the invertebrate community along a forest regeneration gradient.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
2013 & 2015 Terra Ceia Preserve State Park, Palmetto, Fl.
Worked on invasive species management projects, helped construct a road that preserves the natural hydrology of the park, set up project to compare the post-burn effects of different ground cover species in reducing invasive species re-growth.
2014 Greene’s Organic Farm, Melbourne, Aus.
Planted, fertilized, harvested, and sold produce. Managed co-planting to optimize growth.
2013 Sea Turtle Trackers, St. Pete Beach, Fl
Monitored sea turtle nests, informed the public, and ensured the safe passage of hatchlings to the bay.