Erin Mattson Peel

eemattson@usf.edu

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
I am a biologist with a diverse background that ranges from zooplankton to elephants - and many
species in between. In the process of working for several non-profit organizations, government agencies,
and academic institutions, I have gained extensive experience with teaching, management, research,
and information sciences. My research background has primarily focused on sensory biology, animal
health and behavior, and conservation. My career objective is to pursue positions that integrate my
passion for effective teaching, research, and scientific communication with real-world applications.

EDUCATION
University of South Florida (Tampa, FL) Jan. 2023 – Present
M.A. Library and Information Science

University of Rostock (Rostock, Germany) Oct. 2016 – Aug. 2017

Post-Master’s, Grant-funded Research at Marine Science Center Rostock – Robbenforschungszentrum
Research Topic: Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) perceive ecologically-relevant single vortex rings with their
supraorbital whiskers
Research Advisor: Dr. Guido Dehnhardt

Texas A&M University at Galveston (Galveston, TX) Dec. 2015

M.S. Marine Biology Interdisciplinary Program, Cumulative GPA: 4.0 (4.0 scale)
Thesis: Innervation Patterns of Harp Seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) Vibrissal Sensory Systems
Committee: Christopher Marshall, Bernd Würsig, and Anja Schulze

Rice University (Houston, TX) May 2011

B.S. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cumulative GPA: 3.4 (4.0 scale)
Thesis: Juvenile Competitive Bottleneck Dynamics in a Cyclopoid Copepod (Mesocyclops edax)
Thesis Advisor: Volker Rudolf

Rice University Swim Team (Houston, TX) 2006 - 11

 C-USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (5 years)
 Honorable Mention Academic All-American
 Rice University Honor Athlete (3 years)
 Most Value Player Award (2009)

PUBLICATIONS
 Samuelson MM, Pulis EP, Ray C, Arias CR, Samuelson DR, Mattson EE, Solangi M. (2020): Analy-
sis of the Fecal Microbiome in Kemp’s Ridleys (Lepidochelys kempii) Undergoing Rehabilitation.
Endangered Species Research 43:121-131.
 Mattson EE, Marshall CD. (2016): Follicle Microstructure and Innervation Vary between Pinniped
Micro- and Macrovibrissae. Brain, Behavior and Evolution 88: 43-58.
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Florida Environment & Natural History Coordinator (Tampa, FL) June 2022 – Present
University of South Florida Libraries – Special Collections
 Coordinate, conduct, and contribute to cataloging, archival processing, digitization, and
metadata for Florida Environment & Natural History (FLENH) collections
 Coordinate assessment of FLENH collections by evaluating access, use, and research value
 Provide patron service support through reference and research consultations
 Provide curriculum support through collaborative design of instruction sessions, creations and
maintenance of physical and online exhibits, and targeted programming
 Supervise and train student interns as necessary

Pathology Technician (Tampa, FL) May 2019 – May 2022

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
 Assisted the pathologist to complete all necropsy cases submitted to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay,
Busch Gardens Williamsburg, SeaWorld Orlando, and SeaWorld San Antonio (includes fish, birds,
invertebrates, elasmobranchs, dolphins, manatees, sea lions, and other terrestrial mammals)
 Trimmed collected necropsy tissues in preparation for histological processing
 Interacted with guests and campers regarding necropsies and animal health
 Maintained the day-to-day operations of the laboratory, including but not limited to: tissue
organization, database management (Tracks Software and Excel), inventorying, supply ordering,
carcass disposal, laboratory cleaning and maintenance, equipment upkeep (hoists, scales,
bandsaws, knives, etc.), sample submissions and shipping, and report writing

Assistant Stranding Coordinator (Gulfport, MS) May 2018 – May 2019

Institute for Marine Mammal Studies
 Responded to and/or coordinated responses to live and dead stranded sea turtles and marine
mammals along the entire Mississippi coast
 Prepared diets, fed animals, drew and processed blood and gastric samples, administered medi-
cations, completed hook removals, calculated medicine dosages, conducted health assessments,
weighed/measured animals, collected radiographs, conducted laser therapy, supervised/trained
volunteers and other employees, checked water quality, maintained filtration systems, educated
the public, participated in outreach events, worked in quarantine conditions, wrote daily sum-
maries, assisted with lab necropsies, collected and organized necropsy samples, conducted inde-
pendent dolphin field necropsies, assisted with boat surveys, maintained government databases
and correspondence, completed and submitted reports
 Worked unusual hours, answered hotline calls and covered overnight hotline calls, maintained
hotline account, functioned as the 1 st responder for overnight emergencies

Sea Turtle Technician (Jensen Beach, FL) Feb 2018 – May 2018
Ecological Associates Inc.
 Conducted nighttime (9pm-6am) and daytime beach surveys for nesting or stranded sea turtles
 Identified and recorded sea turtle crawls using GPS, located clutches, and marked nests
 PIT and flipper tagged, measured, and documented nesting leatherback sea turtles
 Monitored sea turtle nests for predation, hatching, and disorientation
 Operated and maintained an ATV and abided by construction site safety guidelines
 Worked in extreme and adverse weather conditions up to 12 hours a day
 Verified data, prepared field equipment, educated the public on sea turtle conservation
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Pinniped Researcher (Rostock, Germany; Grant funded) Oct. 2016 – Aug. 2017
Marine Science Center Rostock – Robbenforschungszentrum
 Investigated the sensitivity of harbor seal supraorbital whiskers to hydrodynamic vortex rings:
constructed experimental apparatuses, taught animals novel behaviors, collected/analyzed data
using R statistical software
 Trained (operant conditioning, positive reinforcement) and provided husbandry for harbor seals,
California sea lions, and a South African fur seal: prepared diets, maintained facility, weighed
animals, administered vitamins, conducted health assessments, monitored behavior
 Assisted other researchers with their training and experiments, edited scientific publications,
trained interns/students, gave seminar presentations, attended an animal training conference
 Supervising trainer/researcher for undergraduates in University of Rostock’s animal behavior
and research course: explained own research experiment, supervised undergraduate
participation in experiments, taught students animal training techniques and commands
 Assisted in maintaining trained sunfish collection (e.g. trained feedings, water quality)
 Led public interaction/touching sessions with the seals and explained pinniped biology

Biological Science Technician (Corpus Christi, TX) May – Aug. 2016

Padre Island National Seashore Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery
 Surveyed beaches in UTVs and trucks for signs of sea turtle nestings, strandings, or hatchings
 Documented and monitored sea turtle activity on beach in extreme weather conditions
 Frequently assisted park patrons and educated them on sea turtle conservation
 Participated in public sea turtle releases and worked with volunteers in a supervisory capacity
 Camped in remote location up to five days at a time, worked early mornings
 Biopsied, measured, and PIT, metal, and satellite tagged Kemp's Ridley sea turtles
 Released hatchlings and excavated, transported, and transferred sea turtle eggs
 Cleaned and maintained sea turtle facility and equipment, entered and proofed data

Teaching and Research Assistant (Galveston, TX) Aug. 2013 – Dec. 2015
Texas A&M University at Galveston: Natural History of Vertebrates
 TA: Presented lectures, supervised 40+ students/semester, wrote/administered/graded exams
 TA: Taught undergraduates proper dissection techniques, vertebrate anatomy (lamprey, dogfish
shark, mudpuppy, pigeon, cat, sheep brain, cow eye), and diversity (fish/herps, birds, mammals)
 TA: Trained another graduate student on the format of the course, teaching material, specimen
inventorying and ordering, grading standards, laboratory upkeep, and safety precautions
 RA: Trained multiple undergraduate students on several histological techniques, including
microtome sectioning, silver staining, trichrome staining, cover slipping, and slide subbing
 RA: Assisted undergraduates with abstract writing and poster preparation and presenting

Marine Mammal Pathobiology Externship (St. Petersburg, FL; Award funded) Dec.7-10, 2015
Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory
 Assisted with a manatee carcass recovery (response, loading, and transport to necropsy) and
field necropsy (response, data collection, photography, digestive tract dissection, disposal)
 Participated in manatee health assessments (capture, restraint, transport, documentation of
vital signs during medical assessments [e.g. respirations, heart rate, oxygen levels])
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Sea Turtle Monitor (Galveston, TX) June – Sept. 2014

Galveston Island Park Board
 Surveyed Galveston beaches in trucks for signs of sea turtle strandings, nestings, and hatchings
 Educated curious beachgoers on sea turtle nesting and protection
 Escorted beach cleaning vehicles and maintained government 4X4 vehicles
 Patrolled on foot or in a 4X4 vehicle in intense weather conditions
 Worked early mornings and removed beach debris
 Worked individually and with other sea turtle monitors

Avian Field Technician (Macomb and Springfield, IL) May – Aug. 2013
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey
 Conducted surveys on Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) easements
 Completed point counts and vegetation surveys, learned 40+ birds by sight and sound in three
weeks, utilized GPSs/compasses daily, gained experience with aerial photographs, interacted
with landowners, operated/maintained a government vehicle, entered/organized/proofed data,
worked individually and as a team member, worked in remote locations and in intense field
conditions, worked early mornings and 15+ hour days, conducted callbacks, monitored nests

Animal Rehabilitation Intern (Sarasota, FL) May – Sept. 2012

Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle, Dolphin, and Whale Hospital
 Provided rehabilitative husbandry care for sea turtles (Kemp’s Ridley, Loggerhead, and Green)
and an Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin
 Prepared diets, fed animals, administered medications, helped conduct health assessments and
weigh animals, supervised and trained volunteers and other interns, entered and organized
data, completed Animal Care Handler course, assisted with dolphin and sea turtle tagging and
releases, checked water quality (e.g. salinity, temperature, chlorine, pH), maintained filtration
systems, educated the public, worked in quarantine conditions, caught and restrained animals,
wrote daily summaries, monitored animal condition and behavior, served as an overnight dol-
phin shift leader, worked unusual hours, assisted with fibropapilloma surgeries, radiographs,
blood transfusions and draws, injections, intubations, hearing exams

Assistant Research Intern (Houston, TX) May – Aug. 2010

Rice University’s Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department
 Assisted with aquatic system field research focusing on the community dynamics of
invertebrates and amphibians: e.g. collected and sorted field samples (e.g. phytoplankton,
zooplankton), worked extensively with stereoscopes, entered/proofed data

RESEARCH GRANTS AND FUNDING (~95% Success Rate)

DAAD German Academic Exchange Service 10-month Research Grant (~$15,000) 2016
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi’s Love of Learning Award ($500) 2015
Texas A&M University at Galveston Marine Biology Mini-Grant ($500 each) 2013, 2014, 2015
Erma Lee and Luke Mooney Graduate Student Travel Grant ($500+match each) 2014, 2015
Galveston Graduate Student Association Micro and Mini-Travel Grants ($100, $400) 2014, 2015
Texas Sea Grant’s Grants-In-Aid ($2,000) 2014
American Museum of Natural History’s Lerner-Gray Marine Research Grant ($2,000) 2014
Texas Institute of Oceanography’s Summer Graduate Fellowship ($4,000) 2014
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RESEARCH SKILLS AND TRAINING

Software: ArcGIS, ArcGIS Storymaps, Smartsheets, R statistical software, Tracks software, Wordpress,
Photoshop, SPOT advanced imaging, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), ImageJ, Google Docs,
ArchivesSpace, Aeon
Field/Organismal: Necropsies and tissue trimming, Animal husbandry (incl. dolphins, sea turtles,
pinnipeds), Water quality and maintenance, Animal training (operant conditioning, pinnipeds), Sea
turtles (nesting, blood draws, biopsies, measurements, and flipper, satellite, and PIT tagging), SCUBA
certified (Open Water, Coral Reef Conservation, Project AWARE, National Geographic), Stranding
(dolphin, manatee, sea turtle), GPS and compass navigation, Truck/trailer/off-road driving, Basic vehicle
maintenance (ATVs, UTVs, trucks, cars), Dolphin dorsal fin photography, Boat surveys, Field necropsies
and carcass recovery, Secchi disk, Spherical irradiance meter, Robel pole, Avian point counts, Spherical
densitometer
Microstructural: Histology (e.g. tissue sectioning, staining), Microbiology techniques (e.g. agar prep,
plating cultures), Lipid extraction, ADA and Bradford assays, Size-exclusion chromatography, SDS-PAGE,
Isoelectric focusing, Western blotting, Spectrophotometry, Light and stereoscope microscopy
Other: Grant writing/management, Scientific writing, Data entry/management/analysis, Public speaking,
Supervisory skills, Volunteer coordination, Scientific collaboration, Experience with creating Standard
Operating Procedures and safety protocols, Website design and social media management, Educational
outreach, Fundraising, Donor correspondence, Inventorying and supply management, Conversational
German language skills

CONFERENCE/SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATIONS AND GUEST LECTURES

1. Mattson EE, Rudolf VHW, Dibble CJ. Cannibalism and Competition Influence Predator
Recruitment. Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium, Houston, TX. 2011.
2. Mattson EE, Rudolf VHW, Dibble CJ. Ontogenetic Niche Shifts, Juvenile Bottlenecks, and the
Dynamics of Predator-Prey Systems. 96th ESA Annual Meeting, Austin, TX. August 7-12, 2011.
3. Mattson EE, Marshall C. Innervation patterns across the pinniped mystacial vibrissal array: a
preliminary study. Texas Society of Mammalogists 33 rd Annual Meeting. Junction, TX. February
13-15, 2015. *See Awards*
4. Mattson EE, Orbach D, Piwetz S, Würsig B., Highfield W, Marshall C. Potential oil spill effects on
behavior and group size of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Galveston Ship
Channel. Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference. Houston, TX. February 16-19, 2015.
*ArcGIS Project*
5. Mattson EE, Marshall C. Innervation patterns of harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) vibrissal
sensory systems. Texas A&M University at Galveston Student Research Symposium. Galveston,
TX. April 21, 2015. *See Awards*
6. Mattson EE, Marshall C. Harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) mystacial vibrissae innervation
patterns and implications for foraging ecology. University of Houston Ecology and Evolution
Student Symposium. Houston, TX. May 1, 2015. *See Awards*
7. Mattson EE, Marshall C. Evolutionary implications of pinniped vibrissal innervation. J.B. Johnston
Club for Evolutionary Neuroscience Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. October 16, 2015.
8. Mattson EE, Marshall C. Innervation investment and microanatomy of mystacial vibrissae in harp
seals, Pagophilus groenlandicus. Society for Neuroscience 45th Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL.
October 17-21, 2015.
9. Mattson EE, Marshall C. Innervational and microanatomical support for functional
compartmentalization within the mystacial vibrissal sensory system of pinnipeds. TAMUCC
Student Research Forum. Corpus Christi, TX. December 2, 2015.
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10. Mattson EE, Marshall C. Innervational and microanatomical support for functional
compartmentalization within the mystacial vibrissal sensory system of pinnipeds. The Society for
Integrative and Comparative Biology Meeting. Portland, OR. January 4-7, 2016. *Selected for
best student presentation section*
11. Mattson EE, Krüger Y, Dehnhardt G, Marshall C. Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) perceive
ecologically-relevant single vortex rings with their supraorbital whiskers. DAAD Scholarship
Holder Meeting. Magdeburg, Germany. July 7-9, 2017. *Guest lecture*
12. Mattson EE, Samuelson M. Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles. MDEQ 2018 Restoration Summit.
November 13, 2018.
13. Jordan S, Peel EM, Gatley J. USF’s Florida Environment & Natural History Collection: Rethinking
Collections to Inspire Lasting Environmental Change. Connecticut Academic Libraries
Conference. June 9, 2023.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Erma Lee and Luke Mooney MS Graduate Student Research Excellence Award 2015
 Awarded a plaque and $1,000 for outstanding marine-related research at the Master’s level.
 Only one award is given to a M.S. student per year.
Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology Charlotte Mangum Student Support 2015
 Received housing funds to present at the Annual SICB meeting
University of Houston – Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Student Symposium 2015
 Voted as one of the top three best oral presentations (unranked)
Texas A&M at Galveston William Paul Ricker Memorial Scholarship 2015
 Received a $1,600 scholarship for high academic, leadership, and service achievements
Texas A&M at Galveston Graduate Student Symposium 2015
 Best marine biology graduate student poster presentation
William B. Davis Award ($400) 2015
 Best oral presentation at the organismal level at the Texas Society of Mammalogists
Swim Club Uster-Wallisellen (Uster, Switzerland) 2011
 Member of Swiss National Record Setting 200m Medley Relay

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Texas A&M Galveston Graduate Student Association – Vice President (2014-2015) 2013-2015
 Organized and helped oversee GGSA meetings, fundraising, and outreach activities to support
both undergraduate and graduate students
 Spearheaded the 2015 silent auction fundraiser by organizing and soliciting donations,
corresponding with buyers and donors, and maintaining the auction website
o The auction is the most successful GGSA fundraiser to date.
Texas A&M Galveston Marine Research Journal Club 2013-2015
 Critically analyzed, discussed, and presented on various scientific papers
Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network 2013-2015
 Completed intensive volunteer training
 Participated in overnight shifts to monitor respirations and condition of rehab dolphins
Houston Audubon Society 2014-2015
 Attended meetings and volunteered as a birding liaison at the 2015 FeatherFest
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Society for Neuroscience – Galveston Chapter 2015

 Participated in meetings and volunteered at community outreach events (e.g. Brain Fair). My
chapter won the Chapter of the Year award at the 2015 Society for Neuroscience Conference.
Galveston Bay Foundation Trash Bash Volunteer March 28, 2015
 Kayaked around Galveston Bay collecting trash within the ecosystem
Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition Volunteer Summer 2009
 Participated in overnight shifts as a member of the Baby Bird Program
 Cleaned facility and enclosures, assisted with animal intake, monitored animal
condition/behavior, prepared diets, and fed resident animals (birds, squirrels, and possums)

ADDITIONAL COURSEWORK AND WORKSHOPS

Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Workshop (Ft. Pierce, FL) April 24, 2018
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
 Received overview of how to respond to and document stranded sea turtles
Sea Turtle Nesting Survey Workshop (Ft. Pierce, FL) March 1, 2018
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
 Received overview of nesting protocols in Florida, learned how to identify tracks by species and
distinguish false crawls, and trained on how to mark and locate egg clutches
Cold Stunned Sea Turtle Response Training (Galveston, TX) November 7, 2015
NOAA and Padre Island Seashore National Park Service
 Trained on why sea turtles become cold stunned and learned proper response protocols
Science Communication Workshop (Galveston, TX) July 9, 2015
American Geophysical Union and Texas A&M University
 Learned how to tailor my research presentations to a variety of audiences
Early Migrant Songbirds Workshop (Galveston, TX) April 12, 2015
Galveston 2015 FeatherFest
 Learned about commonly seen early migrant songbirds in Galveston, TX. As a liaison for
FeatherFest, I took the workshop to help attendees better identify songbirds on the field trip.
Open Source for Open Science: Intro to R, *nix commands, and GIS (College Station, TX) July 10, 2014
Texas A&M University Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department
 Gained an introduction to Git Bash and also reinforced my R programming skills
Veterinary Neuroscience (Gainesville, FL) Nov. 19 – Dec. 19, 2013
University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
 I received funding to attend this intensive, mini-mester course as an independent study and
build my neuroscience foundation. I obtained an A in the course.