Piper Deaser

Fall 2023 - 2025

• Continued and completed an independent research project studying the fluctuations of zooplankton biodiversity on a seasonal basis.
• Gather and processed zooplankton samples in small teams from Lake Arthur for future analysis of concentrations and diversity
• Operate and manage usage of the PlanktoScope
• Additionally completed multi-lab NSF project

Summer 2023:

• Participated in NSF-funded research, in partnership with two universities, to study the structure and processes of pond ecosystems and their response to future climate effects
• Field research undertaken over a two-week period in Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge surveying various pond communities with Oregon State University
• A lab experiment studying Long-toed Salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) feeding choice under future climate conditions with Whitworth University
• Began independent research project studying the temporal biodiversity fluctuations of Lake Arthur's phytoplankton on Gonzaga's campus

Fall 2022:

• Conducted field and lab research, as a laboratory assistant, for multiple projects in Betsy Bancroft's aquatic ecosystems Lab at Gonzaga University
• Assisted in the ethical catch and release of biodiversity traps, euthanization of amphibians, and various organisms care and handling
• Identified and filtered microplastics from water samples, and digested algae for microplastic retrieval, while testing filter samples confirming microplastic concentration and variety

• Worked under the guidance of Dr. Sigrid Heise-Pavlov, with The School for Field Studies, in an immersive research program in the Northern Atherton Tablelands, Australia
• Conducted field and lab research studying tropical lepidopteran and coleopteran biodiversity, while also taking lecture courses studying the history and ecosystem diversity of Australia.
• Conducted a project studying how the diversity and density of moth populations fluctuate at different ecological sites, based on ecosystem health at different stages of restoration

• Conducted field and lab research, as a volunteer, for multiple projects in Laura Prugh's lab at the University of Washington
• Assisted graduate student Samantha Kreling with the Urban Carnivore Study, to understand how urbanization affects the health and diets of different carnivore species. I assisted with the field collection of scats and carried out necropsies on carnivore carcasses
• Under lab manager Ellie Reese's guidance, I carried out genetic lab work and analysis for the project as well, including scat swabbing, DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and data analysis
• Assisted with owl pellet dissection and prey identification for undergraduate Olivia Cavalluzzi's independent research project on local owl diet variation

• Organized and managed appointment scheduling, assisting clientele, as well as working with and supporting the barbers in the shop.
• Managed the upkeep and sterilization of a luxury cosmetology facilities.

• Provided assistance on the floor, over the phone, and at registers to fulfill customer needs