Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Published Works
Timeline
Generic
Kaitlyn Zerr

Kaitlyn Zerr

Victoria

Summary

Over the last 8 years, I have been working on ecological conservation projects through my professional experience with Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and academia. Leading field research efforts in tropical climates (Mexico, Maldives), I have mastered several data acquisition techniques (SCUBA, free-diving, remote monitoring) to collect and analyze data on a variety of marine organisms. My expertise includes species identification, the design and implementation of biodiversity monitoring and behavioral ecology studies, and data management and analysis. To inform developing marine protected area management plans, I have used both ecological and social science perspectives and places a high value on community engaged research.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Junior Marine Scientist

Dynamic Ocean Consulting Ltd
10.2024 - Current
  • Support Environmental Monitoring and Existing Conditions Assessments
  • Implementation of compliance requirements from Construction Environmental Management Plans, inclusive of assessment of Exclusion Zones (EZs), operation of hydroacoustic and turbidity monitoring equipment, and confirmation that thresholds (acoustics/turbidity) are not exceeded.
  • Communication with Contractors to address adaptive management requirements and construction schedules.
  • Operation of equipment to monitor for the presence of fish inclusive of Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs), remote underwater time-lapse cameras, Multi Beam Sonar (MBS) and Side Scan Sonar (SSS).
  • Preparation of daily and bi-weekly reports to document compliance commitments.
  • Implementation of existing conditions studies for intertidal and subtidal (SCUBA, ROV) assessments.
  • Identification of coastal BC species.

Laboratory Teaching Assistant

University of Victoria, Department of Biology
09.2021 - 12.2023
  • Courses taught were inclusive of introductory, and senior level science.
  • Prepped lab material, supervised field sampling, marked assignments and conducted help sessions to support student learning.
  • Course taught included Biodiversity and Evolution (BIOL 184), Ecology (BIOL 219) and Marine Ecology (BIOL 319).

Assistant Project Manager

Manta Trust, Oceanic Manta Project
03.2021 - 05.2022
  • Led research efforts on Mobula birostris on a remote island in Southern Maldives.
  • Data collection included photo ID (via SCUBA and free-diving), microbiome sample collection, stereo-video photogrammetry, remote underwater time-lapse photography.
  • Led data processing and analysis, report writing, organized and led community outreach, and data collection workshops.

Assistant Project Manager

Manta Trust, Four Seasons Resort
08.2019 - 08.2021
  • Organized and led three seasons of data collection on Mobula alfredi population dynamics, spatial ecology, reproductive ecology
  • Data collection inclusive of photo ID (via SCUBA and free-diving), remote underwater video, remote underwater time-lapse cameras, stereo-video photogrammetry, underwater ultrasound, environmental and tourism data.
  • Led data processing and analysis, managed equipment, report writing, MSc student field supervision, community outreach.

Manta Trust Research Intern

Manta Trust, Four Seasons Resort
06.2018 - 09.2018
  • Assisted research efforts on Mobula alfredi, led manta ray tours for resort guests, presentations, community outreach, social media management, report writing.

Education

Master of Science - Biology

University of Victoria
Victoria, BC
01.2024

Bachelor of Science - Honours in Marine Biology

Dalhousie University
Halifax, NS
01.2018

Skills

  • Scientific writing
  • Grant writing
  • Interpersonal skills and effective communication
  • Team work and problem-solving
  • Wildlife studies
  • Database management
  • Report preparation
  • Proficient in R programming software
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Research and publication
  • Project Management

Certification

  • Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP, Apr 2024), Pleasure Craft Operator Card (Jun 2012).


  • Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime (ROC-M, Apr 2024).


  • First aid certified (Level 1 OFA, CPR, Jan 2022).


  • CAUS certified (Feb 2022), PADI Divemaster (Aug 2015).


  • Dive accident management certified (Feb 2022).


  • Valid provincial driver’s license.


  • Indigenous Cultural Acumen Training (Oct 2023).


  • Research ethics training (TCPS 2: CORE, July 2022).


  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHIMIS) and H2S Awareness (Sep 2024)

Published Works

  • Zerr, K., Imlay, T., Horn, A., Slater, K. (2022). Sick of attention: The effect of a stress-related disease on juvenile green sea turtle behaviour in the face of intense & prolonged tourism. Aquatic Conservation; Marine & Freshwater Ecosystems, 32(3): 430-441. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3773
  • Zerr, K., Hilbourne, S., Gregr, I.R., Zareer, I.H., Stevens, G.W.M., Baum, J.K. (submitted). Oceanic atoll provides refuge for elasmobranch species amidst global declines. Under review at Scientific Reports.
  • Zerr, K, Solis-Sosa, R., Bonney, N., Ibrahim, M.A., Amjad, F., Stevens, G.W.M., Baum, J.K. (in prep). Tourist support for biodiversity protection in a newly designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. To be submitted to Conservation Science and Practice.


Photography published in; 

  • National Geographic Magazine (June, 2023)
  • BBC Wildlife Magazine (July, 2023)
  • The Guardian (March 2023)

Timeline

Junior Marine Scientist

Dynamic Ocean Consulting Ltd
10.2024 - Current

Laboratory Teaching Assistant

University of Victoria, Department of Biology
09.2021 - 12.2023

Assistant Project Manager

Manta Trust, Oceanic Manta Project
03.2021 - 05.2022

Assistant Project Manager

Manta Trust, Four Seasons Resort
08.2019 - 08.2021

Manta Trust Research Intern

Manta Trust, Four Seasons Resort
06.2018 - 09.2018

Bachelor of Science - Honours in Marine Biology

Dalhousie University

Master of Science - Biology

University of Victoria

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