CV | conservationaby

Abigail Wills

CV

Education

MSc (by research) in Biodiversity Management, the University of Kent April 2012 – March 2013

Research project: Valuing the mangroves of north east Madagascar; an interdisciplinary perspective

I Coordinated teams of two to four Malagasy assistants to perform 90 questionnaires, 16 key informant interviews and four seasonal calendar exercises for mangrove resource use in four villages

I sampled 240 quadrats of mangrove habitat, distributed over nine transects and three forests. Measurements: living and cut adult tree, seedling and sapling species density; adult tree diameter at breast height (DBH); adult tree height; and crab burrow density

I Independently developed a research proposal, defined appropriate methods, statistically analysed data, wrote a full research report and presented findings orally

BSc in Wildlife Conservation, the University of Kent September 2008 – March 2011
Awarded Upper Second Class Honours

Research project: Anuran diversity and microhabitat use in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, Peru
I operated in multicultural teams of six people for six weeks within the Peruvian Amazon rainforest
I performed 30 diurnal and nocturnal visual encounter surveys of frogs along eight transects in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. Measurements: species richness and diversity, individual mass and snout-to-vent length, microhabitat definition, temperature and humidity
I independently developed a research proposal, defined appropriate methods, statistically analysed data, wrote a full research report and presented findings orally at a university conference

Further education, South Dartmoor Community College September 2006 – August 2008
A-level: Biology B, Chemistry C, English Language B AS-level: Maths C

Professional Work Experience

Project Manager, Bushmeat Consumption and Trade in Madagascar May 2013 – August 2013
Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
I managed five Malagasy research assistants to perform 2000 questionnaires in nine villages of northern Madagascar. Ten percent of the interviews were delivered personally in Malagasy language
I collected hair samples from over 500 deceased animals for analysis
I was responsible for assembling and training a team of Malagasy research assistants; questionnaire piloting, development and translation; defining and implementing a research schedule; managing a field budget; organising field transport and accommodation; data handling and processing

Conservation Intern, Community Centred Conservation (C3), Madagascar May 2012 – October 2012
I trained 12 university students in mangrove species identification and habitat survey techniques
I developed two presentations about mangrove ecology, use and conservation for BSc Marine Biology students at the University of Antsiranana, Madagascar
I co-hosted two conservation awareness raising events in a local primary school and a remote village

Voluntary Warden, Natural England, East Dartmoor NNR, Devon September 2011 – April 2012
I conducted ecological surveys of dormice, wood ants and lichens
I co-hosted two environmental awareness raising events
I educated groups of ten to 15 students from five primary schools in environmental survey techniques

Research project: On-site distribution and habitat requirements of Usnea florida (a species of lichen)
I undertook 27 day-long surveys of 12 transects including woodland and woodland edge habitats
I independently developed a research proposal, defined appropriate methods, conducted ecological surveys, analysed data statistically and wrote a full research report to inform site management

Voluntary Warden, RSPB, Elmley Marshes Nature Reserve, Kent September 2010 – July 2011
I conducted routine ecological surveys (including fox scat surveys, bird and cattle census)
I cleared invasive plant species, monitored water levels and installed and monitored crow traps
I prepared and maintained materials for public engagement, including leaflets and signposts

Voluntary Keeper, Rare Species Conservation Centre, Kent May 2011 – July 2011
I monitored health, fed, and performed enrichment for all animals
I sexed and collected faecal samples from newly arrived and quarantined individuals
I administered basic medication and aided with breeding programmes

Research Assistant, Chytrid occurrence in the Pacaya-Samiria NR, Peru, The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent June 2010 – July 2010
I collected, stored and transported swab samples from 100 frogs for analysis

Part-time Horticultural Assistant, Dartmoor Chilli Farm, Devon. May 2008 – October 2011
I assisted with germination, choice of cultivars for seed collection, implementing biological control techniques and companion planting
I wrote an article for the business website detailing the environmentally friendly practices adopted by the company

Other proffessional work experience, March 2004 – Ongoing
I managed a fast-paced and well known café and dining room as a hostess
I was a bartender and served in four establishments: two hotels, one public house and one night club

Peer reviewed publications

Upton, K et al. (2011) Amazonian frog diversity and microhabitat use. Herpetological Bulletin 118: 10 – 17

Skills/Profile
I have efficient and comfortable interpersonal skills
I am an accomplished communicator and scientific writer, including proposals and reports
I can speak Malagasy and conversational French
I completed a two-day advanced negotiation workshop by Negotiation Lab

I completed a two-day scientific writing workshop by University of Kent
I have a full, clean driving licence
I am experienced using various GPS units and navigational tools
I am proficient using Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Photoshop; IBM SPSS Statistics 19 for statistical data analysis; and QSR NVivo 9 for qualitative data analysis