ELLA DIPETTO

PhD Candidate, Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University

edipetto.weebly.com · gdipe001@odu.edu
EDUCATION
PhD Candidate | Ecological Sciences | Old Dominion University
August 2021 – Anticipated Graduation Summer 2026
• Graduate Advisor: Dr. Eric L. Walters
• Dissertation Title: The role of oyster-based coastal protection in enhancing ecosystem services

Bachelor of Science | Wildlife Conservation | Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
August 2014 – May 2018
• Summa cum laude, Overall GPA: 3.93, In-Major GPA: 3.99
SKILLS
Fieldwork & ecological sampling 8 years Restoration project installation & 3 years
Familiarity with east coast flora/ fauna 6 years Partner development & collaboration 3 years
Science communication & outreach 6 years Grant writing 3 years
Restoration project monitoring 5 years
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Graduate Research | Old Dominion University
August 2021 – Present
• Designed and implemented multiple independent research projects
• Fully funded research and related expenses through the acquisition of grants and scholarships.
• Demonstrated knowledge of coastal restoration practices, policies, research, and monitoring needs.
Graduate Teaching Assistant | Field Botany/Vertebrate Zoology | Old Dominion University
August 2021 – May 2022
• Independently taught lessons in classroom and field settings, created and graded course content.
• Gained knowledge of taxonomy and identification of Eastern United States’ flora and fauna.
Natural Resource Technician II | South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
October 2019 – May 2021
• Led educational programs and volunteer-based oyster/ saltmarsh restoration.
• Conducted fieldwork and data collection including shoreline monitoring and project assessments.
• Maintained relationships with various stakeholders including school groups and community members.
Black Rail and Wading Bird Technician | South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
February – October 2019
• Managed and executed multiple projects including course-scale vegetation sampling, hydrological
monitoring, camera trapping, avian nest monitoring, and avian call response surveys.
• Contributed novel data to a study on black rail chick phenology that resulted in a publication.
Field Crew Leader | Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, National Zoological Park
May – August 2018
• Studied gray catbird song variation, reproductive success, and migratory connectivity.
• Managed a small crew of technicians, responsible for all aspects of day-to-day research and logistics.

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PUBLICATIONS
Hand, C. E., W. Gabel, G. R. DiPetto, R. E. Bonafila, and E. Zindersnic. 2021. A Window into the Breeding
Ecology and Molt of the Eastern Black Rail. Waterbirds 44:207-221.
SELECT PRESENTATIONS * Indicates undergraduate lead presenter
DiPetto, G. R. 2024. Evaluating the short-term trajectory of small-scale living shorelines within a
socioecological context. Atlantic Estuarine Research Society Spring 2024 Meeting. Gloucester Point,
VA. March 22.
DiPetto, G. R. 2024. Advancing Regional Living Shoreline Knowledge Transfer. Center for Coastal Physical
Oceanography and Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience Virtual Seminar Series. Norfolk, VA.
March 18.
DiPetto, G. R. 2024. Evaluating the short-term trajectory of small-scale living shorelines within a
socioecological context. Old Dominion University Biology Graduate Student Symposium. Portsmouth,
VA. February 24.
DiPetto, G. R. 2024. Using Wildlife Camera to Investigate Faunal Responses to Oyster-based Living
Shorelines. Old Dominion University Biological Sciences Seminar. Norfolk, VA. January 26.
DiPetto, G.R. 2023. Faunal Response to Oyster-based Living Shorelines. Coastal Estuarine Research
Federation 27th Biennial Conference. Portland, OR, November 13.
Rivera, K.*, DiPetto, G.R. 2023. Following the ‘Footprint’ of Littoraria irrorata Along Marsh Restoration.
Virginia Academy of Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference, Richmond, VA, October 28.
DiPetto, G. R. 2023. Living Shorelines as Wildlife Habitat. Virginia Master Naturalist Continuing Education
Event. Smithfield, VA. June 17.
DiPetto, G. R. 2022. Closing the Science-Practice Gap: Proposed Monitoring Research Project. Living
Shoreline Collaborative Meeting. Hampton, VA. September 14.
SERVICE
2023 – Present Churchland High School Wildlife Club; Co-founder
2023 – Present Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory, Board of Directors, Secretary
2023 – Present High School student mentor, 29 students
2022 – Present Living Shoreline Collaborative, Monitoring Action Team
2022 – Present Manuscript Review; Hydrobiologia (2); Forest Ecology and Management (1)
2022 – Present Undergraduate student mentor; 9 students*
GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS (RECEIVED) ^ Indicates co-PI
2023 Virginia Sea Grant – Program Development Grant ($5,000)
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia^ – Virginia
Wildlife Grant Program ($10,000)
American Philosophical Society – Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Research ($1,000)
Sigma Xi – Grants in Aid of Research ($1,000)
Old Dominion University – Paul W. Kirk Jr. Wetland Research Award ($3,998)
2022 National Science Foundation – Graduate Research Fellowship Program ($138,000)
Northern Neck Audubon Society – Student Research Grant ($3,000)
Virginia Association of Professional Soil Scientists – J. Nicholson Memorial Scholarship ($1,100)
Virginia Society of Ornithology – Conservation Grant ($1,000)
Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory – Student Grant ($500)
Washington Biologists’ Field Club – Student Grant ($3,060)
2021 Hampton Roads Sanitation District – Fall Environmental Improvement Grant ($1,000)

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SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS (RECEIVED)
2024 Atlantic Estuarine Research Society Spring 2024 Meeting – Honorable Mention, Graduate Student
Oral Presentation
Old Dominion University Biology Graduate Symposium – Best PhD Student Oral Presentation
2023 National Water Quality Monitoring Conference – Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion Scholarship
2022 Old Dominion University – Graduate Summer Awards Program
Virginia Association of Professional Soil Science – John C. Nicholson Memorial Scholarship
Women in Nature Network – International Participants Partial Annual Conference Scholarship
Virginia Water Monitoring Council – Ken Brooks Conference Scholarship
American Ornithological Society – Student Membership Award
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2024 Science Policy Bootcamp, University of Virginia
Margaret A. Davidson Coastal Career Development Program, The Coastal Society
Middle Peninsula Habitat Restoration Workshop, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
2022 Women in Nature Network Networking Retreat, Kathmandu, Nepal

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2024 – Present Atlantic Estuarine Research Society, Member
2023 – Present Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience
2023 – Present Coastal Estuarine Research Federation
2022 – Present Old Dominion University Fellowship of Women in Science
2022 – Present American Ornithological Society
2021 – Present Biology Graduate Student Organization
2021 – 2022 Animal Behavior Society
2021 – 2022 Virginia Society of Ornithology
2019 – Present Feminist Bird Club