Undergraduate With Her Own Funding Looking For A Field Assistant Position

Hello Anolophiles!

Could anyone use a free undergraduate field assistant this summer for any squamate evolution or conservation projects, preferably outside of the U.S.? I am an undergraduate student in Drs. Emily Lemmon and Frank Burbrink’s labs with $5k from a merit based scholarship that I need to spend this summer on my “educational enrichment”. I’m hoping to use my funding to support any living, travel, research, and lost wages expenses associated with being a field assistant for anyone doing squamate research any time between May and the end of July 2024. My current research focuses on phylogeography of North American herps, but I’m eager to assist with any project on any squamate, ideally though not necessarily in the neotropics. I’m looking to learn new field techniques, work with a new biological system, have wonderful discussions on all sorts of herpetological matters with a new research mentor(s), and find inspiration for anticipated upcoming graduate studies.

I have experience with molecular lab methods (DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, Qubit quantification), museum methods (toe clipping and dissection for tissue extraction, posing and formalin fixing specimens), field methods (lassoing lizards, nocturnal herpetofaunal field surveys, dipnetting, roadcruising), data visualization and statistical analyses in R, and science communication. I’m happy to work in challenging and remote field conditions; the more bugs, venomous snakes, and stinging plants the better, though I would like to come back alive and in one piece. Let me know if you could potentially use a field assistant at povenika@gmail.com , and I would be happy to send along a CV and letters of recommendation.