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Contact

Department of Primatology

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Deutscher Platz 6
04103 Leipzig

phone: +49 (341) 3550 - 200
fax: +49 (341) 3550 - 299


Curriculum Vitae

Education

2011Master of Science
Central Washington University,
Ellensburg, WA
Biology – Mountain Pine Beetle Overwintering Physiology
2007Bachelor of Science
Central Washington University,
Ellensburg, WA
Major: Biology with Ecology Specialization
Minor: Chemistry Cum Laude, Honor Roll

Research and Professional Experience

10/2013-Present

Genetics Technician
Department of Primatology,
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology,
Leipzig, Germany
Lead geneticist for several primate genotyping projects. Performed microsatellite analyses on samples collected from chimpanzees and sooty mangabeys. Analyzed and typed over 800 samples. Publications forthcoming.

09/2011-PresentSenior Research Assistant
Department of Biological Sciences,
Program in Integrative and Evolutionary Biology,
University of Southern California,
Los Angeles, CA
– Conducted in Hoima and Masindi Districts, Uganda
Assistant to the lead researcher on a study evaluating the population genetics and ecology of chimpanzees in fragmented habitats. Assisted in the collection of biological samples from multiple unhabituated chimpanzee communities in Western Uganda, phenological surveys of ecologically important chimpanzee tree species, and diet analyses. Publications forthcoming.
09/2008-08/2011Lead Researcher
Department of Biology,
Central Washington University,
Ellensburg, WA
Conducted a year-long field and laboratory study on the overwintering physiology of mountain pine beetles. Performed all weekly metabolic rate and supercooling point measurements, analyses, and published findings.
07/2009-08/2009Joint Lead Researcher
Departments of Biology and Geology,
Central Washington University,
Ellensburg, WA
– In collaboration with Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Collaborated with a colleague to conduct a month-long amphibian species inventory in the Annapurna region of Nepal.
06/2008-09/2008Science Technician III
Yakama Nation Wildlife, Toppenish, WA
Assisted on a study evaluating the sex ratio of black cottonwood trees in the Yakima River Valley. Collected ecological data and cores on the study species.
09/2007-12/2007Research Assistant
Department of Zoology,
University of Oxford, U.K.
– Conducted in Kasokwa Forest, Masindi District, Uganda •  Assisted on a study investigating the impact of human disturbance on local chimpanzee populations. Collected behavioral data, ecological data, and biological samples from a single chimpanzee community. Performed an inventory of amphibian species in the forest and a nearby village.
07/2006-08/2006Field Researcher
Department of Biology,
Central Washington University,
Ellensburg, WA
– In collaboration with Anhui University, Anhui Province, China •  Led a population study on a local amphibian species using a mark-recapture method. Assisted with and coauthored a study evaluating Tibetan macaque – tourist interactions.
02/2006-12/2006 Student Lab Technician
Department of Biology,
Central Washington University,
Ellensburg, WA
Contributed to a chloroplast genome study on the Japanese cedar tree. Performed PCR DNA amplification and sequencing analyses.

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant

Spring 2011 Biology 183 • Biology for Majors III – two sections
Biology 311 • Biostatistics
Winter 2011Biology 101 • General Biology – four sections
Fall 2010 Biology 181 • Biology for Majors I – two sections
Biology 101 • General Biology – two sections

National Science Foundation W.A.T.E.R.S. Fellow

2009-2010 Tenth grade Biology (Davis High School, Yakima, WA)

Funding

2010/2011 Central Washington University Teaching Assistantship
2009/2010National Science Foundation W.A.T.E.R.S. Fellowship
2006/2007Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant

Presentations

2010Lester, J.D., and Irwin, J.T. Metabolic Depression and Seasonal Variation in Supercooling Point in the Mountain Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae. Symposium on University Research and Creative Expression, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA.
2010Lester, J.D., Irwin, J.T., Quincy, R., Lester, M. Yakima Watershed Activities to Enhance Research in Schools: Davis High School Project. Symposium on University Research and Creative Expression, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA.
2007 McCarthy, M. S., Matheson, M. D., Lester, J. D., Sheeran, L. K., Li, J. H., Wagner, R. S. Sequences of Tibetan Macaque (Macaca thibetana) Behaviors and Tourist Behaviors at Mt. Huangshan, China. American Society of Primatologists, Winston-Salem, NC.