Robyn Walker

Experience

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  Carleton University Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Lab

  Mar 2006 - May 2007

  Aquatic Researcher

  Conducted extensive snorkeling and seine-net surveys of an urban portion of the Rideau Canal system, creating a comprehensive census of aquatic plant and fish species found in the man-made habitat. Also monitored habitats and water quality, and made recommendations to the City of Ottawa as to how best to preserve this ecosystem should construction of a proposed Light Rail Transit system under the canal occur.

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  Carleton University Department of Environmental Sciences

  Jun 2006 - Jun 2006

  Environmental Educator

  Planned and coordinated a series of workshops for high school students from Korea, demonstrating field-sampling methods used in current aquatic research. Encouraged students to participate in seine-net sampling, radio telemetry projects and catch-and-release angling.

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  Centretown News Community Newspaper

  Jan 2007 - May 2007

  Reporter and Photojournalist

  Generated story ideas, reported stories, provided photographs and aided in editing and layout of a biweekly community newspaper in central Ottawa.

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  New England Aquarium

  May 2007 - Aug 2007

  Education Intern, Harbor Discoveries Program

  Taught marine biology and environmental sciences to ages 11-14. Organized and implemented programs about GIS technology, tidepool ecology, nautical navigation, scientific sampling techniques and documentary-making.

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  Whale Center of New England

  Aug 2007 - Dec 2007

  Research Intern

  Conducted research from whale-watching vessels on population dynamics and behaviors of humpback whales and North Atlantic Right whales in the Stellwagen Bank region. Recorded detailed data on whales’ behavior, using photographic identification techniques to identify individuals and familial lineages.

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  Duke Univeristy Nicholas School of the Environment, Communications Department

  Aug 2008 - May 2009

  Communications Assistant

  Wrote press releases, magazine and web articles, produced videos and photographed events for the Nicholas School Communications Department and Duke Environment magazine. Actively participated in the editing and production of both web and magazine content.

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  Duke University

  Aug 2008 - May 2010

  Graduate Student, Coastal Environmental Management

  Focus in marine mammal conservation

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  Straitwatch

  Jul 2009 - Aug 2009

  Research Associate

  Conducted boat-based and land-based observations of northern resident killer whale interactions with commercial and private vessels in Johnstone Strait, British Columbia. Currently analyzing past and present data to determine whether voluntary boating guidelines are effective in reducing boaters' impacts on killer whales around Vancouver Island.

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  Nature Seekers

  Mar 2010 - Mar 2010

  Sea Turtle Monitoring Program Volunteer

  Monitored Matura beach, a large nesting site for leatherback sea turtles, from nightfall until early morning. Ensured that all nesting females were marked and identified with flipper tags as well as injected PIT tags. Took locations of nests, as well as relocated a nest in order to study internal nest temperatures throughout the incubation period.

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  The Whale Camp

  Jun 2011 - Sept 2011

  Environmental Science Instructor

  Teaching children between the ages of 10 and 17 about environmental and marine science, focusing on the unique environment of Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick, Canada. Also running a graduate-level course for teachers from Canada and the United States focusing on environmental education, and developing lesson plans for environmental and marine ecology units at both the high school and grade school levels.

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  Northcoast Marine Mammal Center

  Mar 2012 - Jan 2013

  Executive Director

  Responsible for managing a small non-profit organization focused on marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation along the northern coast of California. Conduct all office and administrative tasks to keep the organization running smoothly, including completing government reports, grant reports, monitoring finances, organizing data, running fundraising campaigns and events, maintaining website, and supervising interns, volunteers and office staff. Field incoming stranding calls, and assist with animal rescue, transportation, care and release. Show less

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  Alaska Whale Foundation

  Aug 2012 - Dec 2012

  Volunteer Research Assistant

  Work remotely to identify individual humpback whales studied by researchers at AWF, by matching identification photographs of humpback whale flukes to known whales in the Pacific humpback whale catalogue.

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  Bio-Waves Incorporated

  Jul 2013 - Mar 2017

  Marine Biologist, Data Analyst, Bioacoustician, Technical Writer and Editor, Intern Coordinator

  Responsible for analysis of acoustic data using Triton, ROCCA whistle classifier, and other Matlab and PAMGuard-based software, collected from both fixed and towed acoustic sources. Experience using Adobe Audition and Raven for various acoustic analysis projects and data management tasks. Completed the Bio-Waves Passive Acoustic Training course for experience using passive acoustic towed hydrophone array field techniques and equipment. Acting Project Lead on several current and past projects examining delphinid whistle recognition and classification, as well as studying sperm whale foraging behavior. Work as a Technical Writer and Editor, contributing to the writing, editing and formatting of reports and papers, manuscripts, and project/grant proposals. Also organize, update and maintain our library of current literature and older reprints. Responsible for maintaining and updating company’s website and social media pages. Created new training program for incoming interns, and responsible for interviewing, hiring and supervising company interns. Show less

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  Smultea Environmental Sciences (SES) (Subcontractor)

  Mar 2014 - Sept 2015

  Acted as a Protected Species Observer (PSO) for marine mammals during three separate seismic exploration projects in the Cook Inlet, AK, and the Alaskan Beaufort sea. Worked both as a land-based and vessel-based observer, using binoculars and theodolite to monitor for marine mammals and implement mitigation measures based on NMFS-issued Incidental Harassment Authorizations. Required field use of Mysticetus Software. Helped in the assembly and deployment of Ecological Acoustic Recorders (EARs) prior to the start of seismic operations in the Beaufort Sea, and worked with Bio-Waves, Inc. to conduct the post-processing and analysis of all acoustic data collected during the duration of the project. Conducted overnight acoustic monitoring in the Cook Inlet, using a single towed hydrophone and Lucy software. Lived and worked in close quarters in a remote area for extended periods with other PSOs and seismic workers. Work included PSO training, cold-water survival training, and North Slope Training Cooperative health and safety training. Show less

  • Protected Species Observer, Bioacoustician, Passive Acoustic Monitoring Technician

    Jul 2014 - Sept 2015

  • Contract Technical Writer

    Mar 2014 - Jul 2014
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  Tierra Data Inc

  Oct 2016 - May 2017

  Marine Mammal Observer

  Acted as a land-based Marine Mammal Observer during the construction of a new Navy fuel pier. Responsible for monitoring Level A and Level B harassment zones for cetaceans and pinnipeds before, during and after construction activities. Communicated with project leads and construction crews regarding the presence of marine mammals, called shut-downs to construction and demolition activities when marine mammals were present, and recorded all relevant data needed for daily reports.

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  Environmental Intelligence

  May 2017 - Jun 2021

  Technical Writer/Biologist

  Managed the Technical Production and Editing department at an environmental firm in southern California, managing documents and deliverables from the company’s three offices located in Laguna Beach, Los Angeles and San Diego. Responsible for helping to write and produce technical environmental reports, permit applications, project bids and proposals, and online content. Ensured all content sent to clients and permitting organizations maintained the highest standards, and was complete, accurate, and properly formatted. Show less

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  Fisheries and Oceans Canada

  Sept 2021 - now

  Physical Scientist

  Work as part of the North Atlantic Right Whale Unit on the Whale Detection and Collision Avoidance Initiative. Participate in testing new methods for detecting North Atlantic right whales using both acoustic and other technologies, with the goal of reducing anthropogenic impacts on these and other endangered and threatened marine mammals.