Fern CapittiFenton

Experience

• 

  University of Southern California

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2018

  Field Research Intern

  Field research mapping light pollution along the Los Angeles County coast in a group of graduate, undergraduate, and high school students. Acknowledged in scientific paper “High correlation but high scale-dependent variance between satellite measured night lights and terrestrial exposure.” * Ariel Levi Simons et al 2020 Environ. Res. Commun. 2 021006

• 

  Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

  Aug 2019 - Jun 2020

  170 hours of service. Educating patrons about animals on exhibit and local ecological systems. Part of a select group of mentors chosen to train the incoming class of Student Volunteers. I helped zookeepers with caring for the Giant River Otters, Peninsular Pronghorns, Grevy Zebras, Maned Wolves, and occasionally other animals. This included cleaning enclosure, meal preparation and feeding, and training for health checks.

  • Los Angeles Zoo Student Volunteer

    Aug 2017 - Jun 2020

  • Animal Husbandry Intern

    Aug 2019 - Jan 2020
• 

  Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center

  Mar 2021 - Aug 2021

  Sea Crew Volunteer

  50 hours of serviceInterpreting exhibits at the sea center for guests, teaching them about their local marine ecosystems and why they should help protect our Oceans

• 

  Marine Science Institute University of California Santa Barbara

  Jun 2021 - Sept 2024

  Helping masters candidate Jessica Madden with thesis work focusing on fish diet diversity during high versus low tidesHelping with data collection in the field and in lab, troubleshooting problems in lab with data and field equipment, training undergraduate interns on sandy beach invertebrate identification and lab protocol Studying southern California sandy beach ecology.Sorting invertebrates from sediment cores in lab, and helping to monitor MPAs during fieldwork.

  • Laboratory Technician at the Dugan Lab

    Jan 2023 - Sept 2024

  • Undergraduate Volunteer at the Dugan Lab

    Jun 2021 - Dec 2022
• 

  Research experience and education facility (R.E.E.F)

  Jan 2022 - Jun 2024

  Responsible for the care of two different shark species (H. francisci and C. ventriosum), as well as other organisms native to the Santa Barbara Channel. Responsible for plumbing tanks, husbandry tasks, and training interns. Undergraduate Education & Outreach Intern responsible for introducing K-20 visitors and community members to Our Maritime Community and the relevant research that UCSB conducts via the oceans to classroom touch-tank aquarium.Also responsible for overseeing volunteers.

  • Shark aquarist

    Jul 2022 - Jun 2024

  • Informal Science Educator

    Jul 2022 - Jun 2024

  • Volunteer

    Jan 2022 - Jul 2022
• 

  Marine Science Institute

  Jun 2024 - Sept 2024

  Learning Assistant for EEMB 170 (Marine-Land Interface)

  Aiding undergraduate students with experimental design, data collection, and data analysis for lab assignments and independent projects for a field research class.

• 

  Ellwood Canyon Ranch

  Jul 2024 - Sept 2024

  Gardener - Holistic Management Team

  Evaluating current practices in the garden and implementing sound proof environmental systems that align with permaculture design and regenerative agricultural practices. Projects include hot compost and vermiculture, citrus picking and distribution, intermittent grazing using chickens, and growing and planting Winter crops.

• 

  SONGS Mitigation Monitoring Program - Marine Science Institute- UCSB

  Sept 2024 - Jan 2025

  Laboratory Technician

  Technician conducting annual wetland monitoring via fish and invertebrate surveys.