Matthew Verkaik

Experience

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  Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS)

  Feb 2013 - May 2016

  Zookeeper

  ● Oversaw the care for animals at the Amazon River Quest.● Animals included Brazilian Tapir, Capybara, Collared Peccary, Giant Anteater, Guanaco, Jaguar, Jaguarundi, Red Howler Monkey, White-Faced Saki Monkey.● Ensured cleanliness of animals’ dens and enclosures.● Prepared diets for all animals and deployed enrichments.● Prepared and participated in the transfer of certain animals to other facilities overseas.

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  Tiger Airways Ltd

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2015

  Intern
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  Starbucks Singapore

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2016

  Barista
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  Resorts World Sentosa

  Jan 2016 - Jan 2016

  Dolphin Trainer

  ● Provided care for the Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins. ● Trained behaviours used for medical and guest interactions. ● Hosted guest interactions. ● Prepared diets for the day and deployed enrichments for dolphins. ● Kept records on animals’ breeding, social groups, and respiratory rates using OERCA.

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  InterUM, Maastricht University employment agency

  May 2017 - Jan 2020

  Promotional Representative

  ● Conducted tours of the University’s facilities.● Held talks for prospective students.● Planned and executed Open House Days.● A student leader for introduction days for all new intakes.● Was a face of the Maastricht Science Programme in both online interviews and magazines.

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  Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS)

  Jun 2019 - Apr 2020

  Animal Trainer

  ● Provided care for the African Penguins, California Sealions, Pelicans, Asian Small Clawed Otter, Binturong, Fishing Cat, Malay Chevrotain, Palm Civet, Southern Three-banded Armadillo, Sunda Pangolin, and Striped Hyena. ● Trained and presented with the California Sealions for the ‘Splash Safari’.● Performed voluntary teeth cleaning, weight taking, and temperature taking for sealions.● Trained the African penguins' on basic behaviors such as following and target training.● Prepared diets for the day and created enrichment plans.● Kept track of the breeding and fertility of African penguins.● Kept records of all animals using ZIMS. Show less

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  National Environment Agency

  Sept 2020 - now

  Senior Research Officer (Urban Entomology)

  ● Research the use of Wolbachia-Aedes aegypti as a form of vector control to reduce thetransmission of diseases transmitted by the species through suppression.● Planned and conducted experiments with various transportation containers that reducedthe manpower requirements for release of mosquitoes.● Researched the spread of the species within Singapore by utilizing different forms oftraps.● Planned and performed the first audits on release conducted by collaborators.● Took part in experiments testing the effectiveness of commercial and industrial insecttraps and lures.● Introduced targeted release protocol that has effectively reduced the Aedes aegyptipopulation at our release sites by up to 80%.● Chosen to be part of the pioneer team to investigate the Aedes albopictus population andother studies regarding this species.● Prepared and presented proposals for experiments to higher management.● Engaged in public engagement to spread awareness of the project.● Planned weekly manpower schedules for staff and volunteers.● In charge of the identification of mosquitoes caught in traps set in a region of Singaporethrough the use of microscopy.● Established a new protocol and managed projects related to the introduction of Wolbachia-Aedes aegypti into construction sites and dormitories.● Manages team to reach targets in studies and projects.● Worked with international journalist and press media for scientific communication purposes. Show less