Kira Zautcke

Senior Counselor in Training

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Fort Myers, Florida, United States

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Timeline
About me
Student at University of Florida | 2023 NOAA Hollings Scholar
Education
- University of Florida
  2021 - 2025
  Bachelor of Science - BS Chemistry & Marine Science
Experience
- Sanibel Sea School
  Jun 2019 - Jun 2019
  Senior Counselor in Training
  Obtained Red Cross Lifeguard, First Aid, and CPR certifications to assist in first aid and safety protocol.Supervised Counselors in Training (CITs) during camp activities and provided new CITs guidance to become more confident in their leadership roles.
- University of Florida
  Mar 2022 - now
  Research Assistant, Bianchi Organic Biogeochemistry Lab
  Conducted analyses on sediment cores from Sweden, Iceland, and Patagonia for a project that explores the impacts of source material and degradation on carbon sequestration in fjords. Analyzed samples for bulk elemental composition (TN, TC, TOC) and stable isotopes (15N, 13C), along with incorporating 210Pb data. Characterized samples based on biomarkers — including lipids (sterol fraction), amino acids, and lignin-phenols — to better determine OC source and burial effectiveness. Presented posters at the 2024 UF Water Symposium and 2024 Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium. Awarded funding to pursue my senior thesis research. Show less
- Sanibel Sea School
  May 2022 - Aug 2022
  Summer Camp Counselor
  Lead groups of around fifteen campers, ages six-twelve.Fostered a passion for ocean conservation and encouraged good stewardship through guided field trips, educational activities, beach clean-ups, games, and art projects related to the weekly marine science topic. Assisted with weekly planning and prep work, facility upkeep and maintenance, clean-up.
- University of Delaware
  Jun 2023 - Aug 2023
  Research Intern, Wozniak Marine Organic Geochemistry Lab
  Analyzed sea surface microlayer samples utilizing absorbance characteristics, excitation-emission matrices (EEMs), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration.Conducted a research project analyzing the impact of drip time on surfactant organic concentrations in the sea surface microlayer in order to compare a novel glass plate sampling method to previous iterations.Presented written and oral reports on research at the conclusion of the program. Presented a poster at the 2023 University of Florida Undergraduate Research Symposium. Show less
- NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
  May 2024 - Jul 2024
  Research Intern, Earth-Oceans Interactions Program, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL)
  Characterized the chemistry of three newly-discovered hydrothermal vent systems along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Analyzed water samples with flow injection analysis (FIA) and UVC detection to determine total and dissolved Fn and Mn concentrations. Prepared a talk for the end-of-summer NOAA Hollings symposium, incorporating gas (H2, CH4, He isotopes), CTD, and trace metal data.
Licenses & Certifications
- American Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate
  American Red Cross
  May 2022
- Open Water Scuba Diver
  NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNDERWATER INSTRUCTORS
  Aug 2020
Honors & Awards
- Awarded to Kira Zautcke
  Honorable Mention: NSF GRFP National Science Foundation Apr 2025
- Awarded to Kira Zautcke
  College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Scholar University of Florida, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Apr 2024 Research funding and a 1-year stipend awarded to 25 students within the college. Received for research at UF for my senior thesis analyzing sediment samples from two Icelandic fjords. I proposed to measure bulk carbon and nitrogen values, stable isotopes (C and N), and chemical biomarkers (amino acids and lignin-phenols) to determine sources, abundance, and spatial variability in the fjords’ OC burial.
- Awarded to Kira Zautcke
  2023 Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Apr 2023 2-year academic scholarship, summer internship at a NOAA facility, and funding for conferences.