Nina Hunt

Experience

• 

  Western University

  May 2015 - Aug 2015

  Undergraduate Research Fellow
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  Western University

  Sept 2017 - Aug 2018

  • Developed research skills including data and project management, statistical analysis, report writing, an ability to follow protocols, and familiarity with various microbiological and microscopy techniques• Conducted scientific research under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Barr, resulting in the publication of 3 primary research articles investigating an evolutionarily conserved antiviral protein family • Answered student questions during office hours and at weekly classes to foster knowledge and success of undergraduate students in the Introduction to Microbiology (2500A) course• Led exam review sessions and taught laboratory/data analysis techniques used for scientific microbiology research

  • Research Assistant

    May 2016 - Aug 2018

  • Teaching Assistant

    Sept 2017 - Dec 2017
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  Heeman's

  Aug 2018 - Jul 2020

  Department Lead/Plant Production

  • Applied horticulture knowledge as a retail department lead and primary caretaker for thousands of plants including watering, fertilizing, pruning, integrated pest management and supervision of horticulture/seasonal students• Demonstrated a strong work ethic and attention to detail as a member of the production team involved in propagation and maintenance of annual and perennial plant stocks• Utilized communication skills to teach seasonal workshops, answer social media questions and provide customer service with an overall goal of maintaining a loyal customer base Show less

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  Nature Conservancy of Canada/Conservation de la nature Canada

  Jul 2020 - Nov 2020

  Conservation Technician

  • Applied knowledge of vegetation ecology by assisting in selecting appropriate planting sites and species for the restoration of threatened tall grass prairie, oak savanna and oak woodland ecosystems • Conducted conservation actions such as seeding and seed collection, native plant propagation, out-planting, invasive species control, and monitoring Species at Risk• Strong plant identification skills were utilized to perform vegetation surveys and baseline inventories using dichotomous keys, and conduct Ecological Land Classification of various habitats in Ontario • Efficiently collected/managed field data and assisted in the preparation of partner reports, budgets, management and conservation plans Show less

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  Royal Botanical Gardens

  Nov 2020 - Oct 2021

  Herbarium Assistant

  • Exercised field botany skills for plant identification, specimen collection, Species at Risk and restoration monitoring• Demonstrated a familiarity with plant nomenclature, taxonomy, phenology and ecology by assisting in updating the Flora of Royal Botanical Gardens, and by leading a collection-wide systematic reorganization to Angiosperm Phylogeny Group IV• Extensive experience with data entry, database management, problem-solving and organization used to manage the HAM herbarium (60,000+ records), design field experiments, and prepare floristic quality analyses/data-driven reports • Advanced communication skills by leading 4 in-person and 5 virtual plant identification workshops, and supervising 2 undergraduate botany students Show less

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  University of Guelph

  May 2021 - Dec 2022

  Horticultural Research Technician

  • Led propagation trials for rare and Species at Risk plants at Kayanase Native Plant Nursery, and conducted field research in collaboration with University of Lethbridge (Dr. Jenny McCune), University of Guelph (Dr. Ryan Norris), Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Wilder Institute• Assisted with rare plant surveys and translocation trials using conservation science tools such as ArcGIS and species distribution models (SDMs)• Collaborated with various organizations on conservation horticulture initiatives including the development of the Southern Ontario Seed Strategy• As a nursery grower and seed collector, botanical horticulture, plant identification and field botany knowledge was utilized to plan and carry out several aspects of propagation and care for over 140 native plant species (seed forecasting, collection and cleaning, seed storage and banking, stratification, germination, integrated pest management, pruning etc.) Show less

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  GEI Consultants, Inc.

  Nov 2022 - now

  Botanist

  • An understanding of plant ecology, identification and taxonomy is used to support natural heritage inventories using the Ecological Land Classification (ELC) protocol as a field lead and lead botanist for over 16 concurrent projects• Conducted targeted surveys for Species at Risk, invasive species, tree inventories, woodland and wetland assessments and delineations• Exemplified technical writing skills by preparing reports for restoration monitoring, Natural Heritage Evaluations, Environmental Impact Studies, Life Science Inventories, Butternut Health Assessments, Arborist Reports and Tree Protection Plans• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation and processes in Ontario (Species at Risk Act, Endangered Species Act, COSEWIC, COSSARO, etc.) Show less

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  Forest Gene Conservation Association

  Mar 2024 - now

  Species Conservation Program Coordinator