Erin Spencer

Experience

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  Virginia Institute of Marine Science

  Aug 2012 - May 2014

  Research Assistant

  Worked in the biological sciences department analyzing zooplankton samples from Antarctica. Sorted samples to extract and identify zooplankton. Emphasis was placed on establishing patterns in zooplankton distribution to understand the composition of the Antarctic tropic web.

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  National Geographic Society

  Oct 2014 - now

  Awarded three grants from the National Geographic Society to study invasive species management and seafood mislabeling. Was an on-camera expert for multiple National Geographic SharkFest TV programs.

  • Explorer

    Feb 2013 - now

  • Production Assistant

    Oct 2014 - Jul 2015
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  Ocean Conservancy

  Oct 2015 - Jun 2024

  Design and implement digital strategy for Ocean Conservancy website and blog, and advise onstrategy for other platforms. Write all fundraising copy for Ocean Conservancy’s email list,as well ghostwrite blogs, remarks, and social copy for CEO. Write original content for the blog covering weird and wild ocean animals, commonly-asked ocean questions, and more (with 150 posts authored since 2015). Track and lead review of digital KPIs.

  • Senior Digital Strategist

    May 2021 - Jun 2024

  • Writer

    Aug 2017 - May 2021

  • Digital Outreach Manager

    Oct 2015 - Aug 2017
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  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  Aug 2017 - May 2019

  Masters Candidate

  Studied red snapper management and mislabeling in the Southeastern United States. Used DNA barcoding to track mislabeling and partnered with the regional South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council to survey recreational snapper/grouper anglers about their perceptions and motivations of using self-reporting apps. Was a finalist in the Regional Three Minute Thesis competition for talk on seafood mislabeling. TA: Environmental Science in Society, Animal Behavior LabTeaching Fellow: Intro to Marine Science, Marine Ecology RA: Invertebrate respiration in the Galapagos, Undergrad writing coach for seafood mislabeling manuscripts Show less

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  Storey Publishing

  Jul 2019 - Apr 2024

  Author

  Authored The World of Coral Reefs, published in March 2022. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/erin-spencer/the-world-of-coral-reefs/9781635863376/Newest book, The Incredible Octopus, published April 2024. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/erin-spencer/the-incredible-octopus/9781635866285/

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  Florida International University

  Aug 2019 - May 2024

  PHD Candidate

  Was a member of the Predator Ecology and Conservation Lab under Dr. Yannis Papastamatiou. My work used biologging technology (including speed, video, acceleration, and sonar tags) to assess the energetics, search behavior, and thermal tolerance of great hammerhead sharks. Was lead scientist of the Coastal Ocean Explorers program with the ANGARI Foundation, which provided shark tagging experiences for South Florida students and teachers. Served as a teaching assistant for Genetics Lab (3 semesters), General Biology (1 semester), and Ecology (2 semesters). Show less

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  National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

  Jun 2024 - now

  Communications Manager for Restoration

  Support public awareness of the activities of the Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities (MDBC) restoration portfolio in the Gulf of Mexico. Manage all public facing communications related to MDBC restoration activities, including drafting and reviewing web stories, press releases, social media posts, and other forms of popular press and media. Develop communications plans for each restoration expedition in the Gulf of Mexico throughout the field season, approximately 8-15 expeditions per year.