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
2011 | Master of Science Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA Biology – Mountain Pine Beetle Overwintering Physiology |
2007 | Bachelor 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 |
09/2011-Present | Senior 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. |
09/2008-08/2011 | Lead 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. |
07/2009-08/2009 | Joint 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. |
06/2008-09/2008 | Science 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. |
09/2007-12/2007 | Research 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. |
07/2006-08/2006 | Field 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 2011 | Biology 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 |
2009/2010 | National Science Foundation W.A.T.E.R.S. Fellowship |
2006/2007 | Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant |
Presentations
2010 | Lester, 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. |
2010 | Lester, 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. |