Megan McGrath

Experience

• 

  Warwick Valley Dispatch Newspaper

  Oct 2006 - Aug 2011

  Editor and Reporter

  • Reported on local news and events and edited articles for readability and factual accuracy• Authorized as a reporter with the New York Press Association

• 

  Pepperberg Lab & Alex Foundation

  Mar 2009 - May 2012

  Research Assistant

  • Aided in experimental studies of cognition in African grey parrots• Participated in research design and execution• Cared for and interacted with study animals in a lab setting; maintained lab space and equipment• Laboratory and social media management

• 

  Brandeis University

  Jan 2011 - May 2013

  Teaching Assistant, Conservation Biology & Ecology

  • Regularly assessed and heavily edited student papers in a writing-intensive class• Gave class lectures• Acted as the primary contact for students who desired additional aid in class performance

• 

  Reiss Lab of Dolphin Cognition & Communication

  Sept 2012 - Dec 2018

  Research Assistant & Masters Student

  • Autonomously designed and executed independent research projects focusing on the behavior and cognition of bottlenose dolphins at the National Aquarium in Baltimore• Collaborated on projects with scientists and marine mammal training staff• Coordinated and performed data collection & analysis as part of an inter-city research team• Literature review, data management, statistical analysis, research design, writing, editing, and teamwork

• 

  AAAS

  Jun 2013 - Aug 2013

  AAAS Mass Media Fellow

  • Researched and produced all aspects of radio pieces focusing on new scientific findings for worldwide broadcast• Story design, interviews, writing, voicing, and audio editing short radio pieces in collaboration with a diverse production team

• 

  Freelance

  Apr 2014 - Mar 2023

  Science Editor & Content Producer

  • Edited popular science textbook "Why Are We Here? The Story of the Origin, Evolution, and Future of Life on Our Planet." Responsible for shaping all aspects of project: content, structure, referencing, design, and fact checking.• Editor specializing in science communication across diverse media• Experience editing and producing popular science books, articles for journal publication, blogs, and audio for radio and podcasts• Proficient at catering to a variety of audiences and client budgets Show less

• 

  Baltimore Sound Society

  Apr 2016 - Mar 2018

  Co-founder & Producer

  • Formed and managed a collaborative audio production group focused on Baltimore local interest• Administration, concept creation, scripting, editing, voicing, research, production, and reporting• Produced audio stories in collaboration with WEAA, the Center for Emerging Media, izi.TRAVEL, and the MuseWeb Foundation.

• 

  Mammal/Fish Arts

  Jan 2019 - Mar 2023

  Owner

  ° Self-employed fine artist and illustrator in watercolor, graphite, and ink.° Work by commission with intimate attention to detail and client needs, including original paintings, drawings, tattoo design, and value-added products such as postcard and t-shirt design° Online store web design and management, order fulfillment, customer service and interfacing, and small-scale business management

• 

  Atlas Obscura

  May 2021 - Mar 2023

  • Provide Zoom moderation, including host assistance, setting participant expectations, and solving unforeseen problems as public-facing company representative for Atlas Obscura’s suite of online experiences, lectures, and seminars• Field customer service queries as a monitor of Atlas Obscura’s Guest Experiences email hotline • Spearheaded and managed successful new operations processes resulting in increased outward-facing clarity, equity, improved optics, and a 76% reduction in customer inquiries• Provided stellar Guest Experiences support with “surprisingly refreshing and so very kind” responses to thousands of inquiries.• Improved myriad back-end operations processes resulting in optimal team productivity during record high earnings quarter • Led nine experiences for over 600 participants, yielding over $10,500 in revenue and an average NPS of 48• Designed, scripted, published, and delivered all original content and marketing materials for online experience framed as “part science class and part art class,” focused on using drawing to study the natural world

  • Moderator and Guest Experiences Support

    Jul 2021 - Mar 2023

  • Course Coordinator

    Nov 2021 - Aug 2022

  • Host of Online Experience ‘Art + Evolution: Drawing Animals with Megan McGrath’

    May 2021 - Dec 2021
• 

  Intermountain West Joint Venture

  Feb 2023 - now

  Sagebrush Communications Specialist

  Communications content development, strategy, and support for IWJV's portfolio of partnership-driven sagebrush conservation and restoration efforts across 11 states.In this position I am a primary contact and content producer for communications regarding the IWJV's partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, through which we work to facilitate sagebrush ecosystem restoration projects for the good of people, birds, and wildlife across 11 Western states. This work looks like a lot of things, but mainly:- Digital and physical content production, including articles, videos, press releases, website production, and more to tell the story of collaborative sagebrush habitat conservation efforts in rural Western communities—highlighting efforts like mitigation of conifer expansion, invasive annual grasses, wet meadow restoration, and more- Producing, coordinating, and distributing the results of educational workshops and collaborative events, both virtually and in-person- A whole lot of fun, engaging science communication about sagebrush ecosystems and conservation- A whole lot of social mediaWant to learn more about the birds, wildlife, and communities that benefit from healthy, intact sagebrush rangelands? Drop me a line! Show less