PROJECT AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

SOIL BIOGEOCHEMIST AND ECOLOGIST: TAYLOR SLOUGH TOTAL PHOSPHORUS SOIL FOLLOW-UP STUDY

November 2017-Present

This project assessed soil phosphorus enrichment and vegetation community structure in Taylor Slough of Everglades National Park. Ms. August conducted helicopter field sampling (soil coring and flora/fauna surveys) and instituted an experimental investigation of invasive species proliferation and soil enrichment over established baseline sites with changing hydrologic management. This investigation utilized soil biochemical techniques and ecological assessments to generate management recommendations for Everglades National Park. The data and sites in this study will serve as the basis for continued monitoring in Taylor Slough.

SOIL MICROBIOLOGIST: COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH INITIATIVE SCIENCE PLAN FOR THE EVERGLADES STORMWATER TREATMENT AREA

August 2016-August 2017

This project aimed to understand the soil microbial drivers that regulate constructed wetland performance. Ms. August was the analytical lead for this project analyzing over 400 soil/litter samples for enzyme activity, potentially mineralizable nutrients, and respiration within a 3-month period. Working closely with the South Florida Water Management District, Ms. August evaluated linkages between microbial processes (microbial biomass, enzymes, potentially mineralizable nutrients, and respiration) and vegetation type (submerged aquatic vegetation and emergent aquatic vegetation).

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

2016-Present

University of Florida, Soil and Water Sciences Department, Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, Wetland Biogeochemistry Lab, St. Augustine, FL,

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

2015-2016

University of Arkansas, Environmental, Soil, and Water Sciences Department, Soils and Water Quality Lab,
Applied Soil Physics and Pedology Lab, Fayetteville, AR

INTERN

2014-2015

Boston Mountain Solid Waste District, Fayetteville, AR

RELEVANT COURSEWORK

MULTIVARIATE STATISTICS

2017

I obtained an understanding of appropriate multivariate analyses for given datasets, implementation of analyses in R, and interpretation of those results.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

2016

I received an introduction to geospatial applications, analysis of spatial data, and map design using ArcGIS.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

2016

I gained an overview of federal and state policies applicable to natural resource conservation, including a close examination of federal statutes (Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act).

WETLAND SOILS

2015

I researched a wetland in Fayetteville, AR generating a report and presentation on wetland boundaries using U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation field techniques.

MY SKILLS

DATA MANAGEMENT

R
Excel

TECHNICAL WRITING

Word

Powerpoint

Zotero

SOIL PROPERTIES ANALYSIS

Particle Size Analysis
Microbial Biomass
Potentially Mineralizable Nutrients
Respiration
Total Nutrients

EDUCATION

MS UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

August 2016 - Present

Expected Graduation: December 2018, 3.87 GPA

BS UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

May 2016

Minor: Sustainability, 3.74 GPA