Francisca Saavedra

Experience

• 

  Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

  Jan 2010 - Feb 2012

  Research Staff

  Collaborated with teams of non-specialist volunteers to collect and analyze field data. Worked collaboratively with other researchers by executing research and teaching objectives. Led research and taught objectives in cross-collaboration with researchers. • Contributed to management and successful delivery of forest management projects at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center to assess impact of climate change on forests in different parts of the world.• Contributed to HSBC climate partnership between HSBC bank, Earthwatch, Climate Group, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, and World Wildlife Fund, through research, information sessions and motivation of the bank employees. • Mentored and taught bank employees who aided with field studies and simultaneously learned about climate change and how the bank would respond to sustainability challenges. Show less

• 

  University of Maryland

  Mar 2012 - Aug 2022

  Served as an integral part of strategic planning effort with Chairs and Directors to serve students and faculty in the Biological Science Program.• Developed an integrative plan for complex Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) assignments across three Departments, uniting Chairs, teaching faculty, Directors, and staff.• Coordinate payrolls across multiple departments, advocating for equitable pay while fulfilling program goals• Visionary planning to improve training and feedback loops to prepare graduate students for careers and service to society Show less Member of the BSCI Leadership team within the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS). Coordinate inter-department undergraduate biological sciences program across three departments and the College. Spearhead and deliver diverse aspects of an undergraduate biology curriculum. Spearhead the consolidation of the Teaching Assistant program across BSCI by working with students, faculty, and staff. Advocate for undergraduate and graduate students. Educate and mentor hundreds of students.• Manage the appropriate and timely staffing of all BSCI courses in the Program considering reduced numbers of Graduate Student Teaching Assistants (GTAs) and increased numbers of sections• Teach introductory and advance Biology courses in Ecology and Evolution using a student-centered teaching strategies: Principles of Ecology and Evolution Lecture (4x, 100 students/semester) and Lab (5x, 300-350 students/semester), Conservation Biology (8x, 25-50 students/semester)• Deliver innovative teaching and mentorship in pedagogy course for Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (UTA) over 50 students per year• Provides academic advising to 10-60 students/year and taught UNIV100 (Introduction to the University for Freshmen) in the past• Build and maintained strategic relations with staff, faculty, and University leaders through excellent communication skills• Manage all administrative aspects, including determination of transfer course equivalencies and curriculum communication to students• Active participation in an NSF-funded iUSE (Improving Undergraduate STEM Education) project to bring cohesion among the introductory biology courses with innovative teaching techniques• Collect and analyze data aiming to assess and improve the Biological Sciences Program• Curriculum development with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion• Direct payroll and TA budgets• Active collaboration in course the Grant Challenges of our Time (UNIV110) taught by UMD President Dr. Pines Show less

  • Interim Associate Director, Biological Sciences Graduate Program, BISI

    May 2021 - Aug 2022

  • Assistant Director, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Program, CMNS

    Mar 2012 - Aug 2022
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  Tropical Conservation and Development Program at the University of Florida

  Mar 2023 - now

  Biocultural Conservation Consultant

  Helping TCD explore the institutional landscape of higher education that contributes to Biocultural Conservation. Helping identify the leading education and research programs that support the application of community-based conservation strategies through education, research, and/or non-degree training programs.