Taran Lichtenberger

Taranlichtenberger2018@u.northwestern.edu | 1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe, IL 60022

EDUCATION
Northwestern University and Chicago Botanic Garden, Expected Graduation October 2019
Master of Science in Plant Biology and Conservation
Northwestern University, Graduated June 2018
Bachelor of Arts in Biological Science, Minor in Environmental Policy and Culture

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Graduate Researcher, Chicago Botanic Garden & Northwestern University, 2018-present
Impact of Genotypic and Functional Trait Diversity on Productivity in a Priority
Restoration Forb Species
• Assess productivity of groupings of plants with different levels of genotypic and
functional trait diversity
Undergraduate Researcher, Chicago Botanic Garden & Northwestern University, 2015 - 2018
Micropropagation Optimization and Functional Trait Analysis of Native Colorado
Plateau Plant Species, 2018
• Created a growth curve for micropropagated plants grown on different hormones to
better understand optimal plant development conditions
• Measured leaf functional traits of 750 plants focusing on population-level
intraspecific trait variation to improve Colorado Plateau ecosystem restoration
Seed Trait Measures and Germination for Prairie Restoration, 2016
• Measured seed traits and germination rate of over 3000 seeds and created new
protocols for tracking individual seeds
Functional Trait Diversity in Prairie Plant Species, 2015
• Gathered functional trait data from 250 plants for 6 different functional traits focusing
on prairie ecosystem restoration with inter- and intra- specific trait differences
Research Assistant, Chair of Restoration Ecology, Technical University of Munich, 2017
Re-establishment of rare arable plants on agricultural fields
• Measured seed output of plants in a greenhouse and conducted field work from seed
harvesting to site composition analysis

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Foxx, A.J., Barak, R.S., Lichtenberger, T., Richardson, L.K., Rodgers, A.J., Williams, E.W.,
Evaluating the prevalence and quality of conference codes of conduct. PNAS, Published
Online. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1819409116
Barak, R.S., Lichtenberger, T.M., Wellman-Houde, A., Kramer, A.T. and Larkin, D.J., 2018.
Cracking the case: Seed traits and phylogeny predict time to germination in prairie
restoration species. Ecology and Evolution, 8(11), pp.5551-5562.

POSTERS
Lichtenberger, T, J. Zeldin, E. Williams, A. Foxx, and A. Kramer. 2018. Micropropagation of
Colorado Plateau native forb species: A valuable tool for research in restoration ecology.
Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA.
Lichtenberger, T, E. Williams, and A. Kramer. 2016. Impacts of Functional Trait Diversity on
Prairie Ecosystem Restoration. Northwestern University Undergraduate Research and
Arts Expo. Evanston, IL.
Lichtenberger, T, E. Williams, and A. Kramer. 2015. Impacts of Functional Trait Diversity on
Prairie Ecosystem Restoration. Chicago Botanic Garden Research Experiences for
Undergraduates symposium. Glencoe, IL.

AWARDS
Best Presenter. 2019. Wunderbar Together Science Slam USA Talk.
Third Place Poster. 2018. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. Ecological
Restoration Section.
Tied First Place Poster in Science and Engineering. 2016. Undergraduate Research and Arts
Expo. Northwestern University.
Best Poster. 2015. Research Experiences for Undergraduates poster session. Chicago Botanic
Garden.

FUNDING
German Academic Exchange Service and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Alumni
Conference Travel Award. 2018. ($250)
Applied Ecology Section Student Travel Award. 2018. Micropropagation of Colorado Plateau
native forb species: A valuable tool for research in restoration ecology. ($500).
Undergraduate Research Presentation Award. 2018. Micropropagation of Colorado Plateau
native forb species: A valuable tool for research in restoration ecology. ($500).
Conference Travel Grant from the Undergraduate Research Grant Program administered by
Northwestern University's Office of the Provost. 2018. Micropropagation of Colorado
Plateau native forb species: A valuable tool for research in restoration ecology. ($500).
Northwestern Plant Biology and Conservation Award for MS Students. 2018. Impact of
genotypic and functional trait diversity on productivity in a priority restoration forb
species. ($1,500).
Academic Year Undergraduate Research Grant from the Office of Undergraduate Research at
Northwestern University. 2018. Intraspecific trait variation in Colorado Plateau Native
forb species. ($1000).
Alumnae of Northwestern University Graduate Fellowship. 2018-2019. ($10,000). Declined.
J. G. Nolan Scholarship from Northwestern University. 2015-2016, 2016-2017 & 2017-2018.
($350).
Research Internships in Science and Engineering Germany. 2017. Re-establishment of rare
arable plants on agricultural fields. (€1,950).
Alumnae of Northwestern STEM Scholarship. 2015-2016 & 2016-2017. ($4,000).
Undergraduate Research Grant from the Program in Biological Sciences at Northwestern
University. 2016. Seed Trait Measures and Germination Rates. ($3,500).
Oliver Marcy Biology Scholarship from Northwestern University. 2015-2016. ($1,078).
Summer Undergraduate Research Grant from the Office of the Provost at Northwestern
University. 2015. Impact of Functional Trait Diversity on Prairie Ecosystem Restoration.
($3,000).

MENTORING EXPERIENCE
2018. REU co-mentor (with A. Kramer): Jennet Chang
2018. College First co-mentor (with A. Kramer and J. Chang, advised REU): David Nguyen
2015. College First co-mentor (with A. Kramer): Shannon Suty
OUTREACH EXPERIENCE
The Morton Arboretum Science and Conservation Department, Science and Conservation
Communications Intern, February 2019-present
• Work with the Treelogist to increase the accessibility of science to the public
Chicago Women in STEM Initiative, Member, January 2019-present
• Regularly attend STEM Circuits to engage with other STEM professionals
Northwestern University and Chicago Botanic Garden Plant Biology and Conservation, Science
Communication and Social Media Lead, May 2018-present
• Establish science communication and social media communications for the department.
HerStory: Famous Women in Science History outreach event at the Museum of Science and
Industry, Volunteer, June 8th 2019
• Discuss science with middle grade students and lead an experiment demonstration
Wunderbar Together Popup Tour Science Slam USA, Speaker, April 28th & 29th 2019
• Present a 10 minute, accessible presentation on my research for both kids and adults
Chicago Botanic Garden UnEarth Science Festival, Organizer and Presenter, August 2018-
April 2019
• Design science activities and present on research done at the Garden for 7-12 year olds

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Lyric Opera of Chicago, University Ambassador, September 2018-July 2019
• Connect with students and peers to encourage attendance to Lyric opera performances
Class of 2018 Gift Committee, Member, January 2018-June 2018
• Regularly engage in peer outreach to encourage seniors to donate to the class of 2018 gift
New Student and Family Programs, Family Ambassador, March 2015-November 2017
• Direct families during Wildcat Welcome, Family Weekend, and Homecoming events
Northwestern University Neuroscience Club
Vice President of Internal Affairs, March 2016-March 2017
• Organize committee meetings and moderate executive board meetings
Vice President of Financial Affairs, March 2015-March 2016
• Plan and organize four fundraising events to fund guest speaking engagements
Residence for Environmental Engagement, Communications Chair, March 2015-June 2017
• Record proceedings of executive board meetings and maintain email communications
NU Bioscientist Research Prep. Program, Bioscientist Mentor, September 2015-June 2017
• Guide students in writing Undergraduate Grant Research proposals

WORK EXPERIENCE
Northwestern NEXT Externship at Village of Mount Prospect, Director of Communications
Extern, February 21st 2019
• Shadowed Director of Communications to learn about public facing communication
Northwestern Spanish and Portuguese Department, Administrative Aide, February 2015-June
2018
• Manage department emails, create event flyers, and assist with clerical and website
management tasks
Barnes and Noble, Bookseller, January 2014-September 2014
 • Assist customers, promote books, and facilitate kids programming and projects
Indian Trails Public Library, Page, June 2012-June 2013
• Responsible for library upkeep and the checking, sorting, and shelving of books.

SKILLS
Computer: Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, MailChimp, Wordpress;
Intermediate in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator
Languages: Conversational German
Lab: Proficient in seed X-ray analysis, mass measurements, microscope use, and germination
trials; Intermediate in micropropagation techniques, plant identification, ImageJ, and GIS; Basic
in DNA sequencing and AIM Vegetation Monitoring
SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter: @plant_taran Instagram: @taranlichtenberger