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CURRICULUM VITAE
Fall 2014


Faith N.K. Byrd
Sam Houston State University Department of Biological Sciences
Huntsville, Texas 77341-2116 (936)294-1540
E-mail: faithbyrd@shsu.edu

Education
Sam Houston State
University
Huntsville, TX
M.S., In progress
Expected graduation: May 2016
Major: Biology
Advisor: Dr. Diane Neudorf
Texas A&M
University
College Station, TX
B.S., May 2014
Major: Wildlife and Fisheries
Science
Emphasis: Conservation Biology
Tyler Junior
College
Tyler, TX
A.S., May 2010
Major: Biology



GRE Scores
All scores are from the new GRE scoring format
Quantitative Reasoning 150 (41 Percentile Rank)
Verbal Reasoning 159 (81 Percentile Rank)
Analytical Writing 4.5 (78 Percentile Rank)
Research Interests
Avian Ecology
Avian Ectoparasitology



Teaching Experience
Sam Houston State University Department of Biology
Huntsville, TX
August 2014-Present
Supervisor: Mr. Steven Koether
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Currently teaching three laboratory sections of Foundations of Science, an accreditation course
for non-science majors


Tyler Junior College Phlebotomy, Microbiology and Radiology Lab
Tyler, TX
August 2008-April 2010
Supervisor: Mrs. Lisa Baker
Medical Lab Assistant
Assisted with teaching and procedure practice (blood draws, taking vital signs)
Graded tests and laboratory result pages
Set up labs for hematology, histology, phlebotomy and radiology courses
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Research and Laboratory Experience
Avian Ecology Study at Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX
June 2014-Present
Advisor: Dr. Diane Neudorf
Graduate Student
Set up nest boxes
Captured and banded birds for study
Drew blood from birds for analysis
Recorded songs and scolds for research
Collected nests for ectoparasite study


Stable Isotopes for Biosphere Science Laboratory at Texas A&M University
College Station, TX
November 2013-May 2014
Supervisor: Dr. Ayumi Hyodo
Student Research Assistant
Ground samples for weighing
Weighed and recorded measurements of samples using microscale
Checked stable isotope results for error
Prepared standards for comparison to research samples


Texas A&M University Wildlife and Fisheries Science Program
Alajuela, Costa Rica, San Luis, Costa Rica, College Station, TX, Hearne, TX, Lake Jackson, TX
August 2012-May 2014
Supervisor: Dr. Miguel Mora, Alejandra Maldonado
Student Research Assistant
Travelled internationally to collect specimens at several sites
Set up mist nets
Restrained wild birds for research procedures
Took field notes and pictures of procedures
Ground and weighed organ samples for stable isotope analysis


Texas A&M Veterinary Teaching Hospital Equine Embryo Lab
College Station, TX
January 2012-May 2014
Supervisor: Dr. Katrin Hinrichs
Student Research Assistant
Assisted with transvaginal aspirations of equine oocytes
Searched for equine oocytes using microscopes and correct dilution procedures
Cleaned and organized tools and equipment used during procedures
Cared for anaesthetized animals
Assisted with teaching veterinary students


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Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections at Texas A&M
College Station, TX
May 2012-August 2012
Supervisor: Dr. Gary Voelker, Jerry Huntley
Ornithology Intern
Kept detailed record of birds collected or donated for taxidermy
Cataloged and recorded brain, kidney and liver samples
Taxidermed and labeled birds
Organized bird collection for easier use for researchers


Caldwell Zoo Veterinary Wing
Tyler, TX
May 2009-August 2009
Supervisor: Dr. Steve Wilson, Casey Plummer
Veterinary Intern/Assistant
Assisted with restraining and preparing animals for veterinary procedures
Maintained quarantined animals before release into new exhibits
Prepared and packaged samples and laboratory notes for use at TVMDL (Texas Veterinary
Medical Diagnostics Laboratory)
Observed and took record of all necropsies
Took field notes concerning effects of enrichment for research used by Louisiana State University



Presentations and Credits
University of Georgia at Athens: Costa Rica Campus Website
January 2013-Present
Research Impacts of Agricultural Pesticides and Persistent Organic Pollutants on Neotropical Migratory Birds: UGA
Costa Rica
Brief article overview of international field work with Alejandra Maldonado, current Texas A&M PhD candidate.
http://ugacostarica.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/research-impacts-of-agricultural-pesticides-and-persistent-
organic-pollutants-on-neotropical-migratory-birds/


Texas A&M Biology Student Research Conference
College Station, TX
October 2012
Poster Presentation of Effects of Habitat Differences on Avian Diversity in Costa Rica
Presented data showing the varying biodiversity of avian species found in differing ecosystems throughout Costa
Rica. The study sought to show how different temperatures, plant populations, elevations and levels of
urbanization impact avian biodiversity.




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Photography Credit on Texas A&M Biology website
August 2012-Present
Credited for photograph of Rana taylori (Leopard Frog) in web-published article by undergraduate biology student
Kameron Fennessey.
http://www.bio.tamu.edu/COURSES/CostaRica/263Summer2012/pdf/Kameron%20Fennessee%20Written%20Pap
er.pdf


Photography Credit on Texas A&M Biology website
September 2012-Present
Credited for photograph of equipment, Costa Rican Cat-eyed Snake (Leptodeira rubricata), Eyelash Viper
(Bothriechis schlegelii), Fer-de-Lance Viper (Bothrops lanceolatus), and Blunt-headed Vine Snake (Imantodes
gemmistratus) in web-published article by undergraduate biology student Claire Hubbell.
http://www.bio.tamu.edu/COURSES/CostaRica/263Summer2012/pdf/Claire%20Hubbell%20Final%20Written%20P
aper%202012.pdf

Research Skills
Basic Veterinary and Wildlife Skills
Injections, IVs, blood drawing
Blood pressure/heart rate of domestic and exotic animals
Proper restraint of a variety of animals, domestic, exotic and wild
Set up nets and traps and properly remove animals without injury and in a humane manner
Humane euthanization via injection, gassing or thoracic compression
Transvaginal Oocyte Collection
Veterinary Ultrasound

Biological Laboratory Skills
Microscopy, both use and basic repair
Centrifugation
Data entry
Necropsy of birds and small mammals
Taxidermy of birds and small mammals
Stable Isotope Analysis


Extracurricular Activities
Entomophagy Club
August 2014-Present
Sam Houston State University
Treasurer

Zoological Society
August 2011-May 2014
Texas A&M University
Member

Veterinary Society
August 2011-May 2014
Texas A&M University
Member

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
October 2008-May 2010
Tyler Junior College
President of Scholarship
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References
Dr. Katrin Hindrichs
khinrichs@tamu.edu
Veterinary research professor

Dr. Miguel Mora
mmora@tamu.edu
Wildlife toxicology research
professor






























Dr. Gary Voelker
gvoelker@tamu.edu
Avian esearch professor

Alejandra Maldonado
amaldonado@tamu.edu
PhD Candidate































Lisa Baker
lbak@tjc.edu
Hematology Instructor

Cecilia Riley
criley@gcbo.org
Executive director of the Gulf
Coast Bird Observatory