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Education

Doctor of Philosophy, expected 2025

NSF Graduate Research Fellow

Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia – Athens, GA

Advisor: Dr. Roberta Salmi

 

Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership, expected 2025

University of Georgia – Athens, GA

 

Professional Certificate in Grant Writing

San Diego State University – San Diego, CA

 

Master of Arts: Biology, Academic Distinction

Miami University and San Diego Zoo Global － San Diego, CA

Focus: Conservation Biology and Wildlife Disease Management

Advisor: Dr. Mackenzie Borau

 

Bachelor of Arts: Biological Anthropology, Provost Honors

University of California, San Diego － San Diego, CA

Focus: Primate Behavior and Wildlife Ecology

 

Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts and Humanities, Academic Honors

Cuesta College － San Luis Obispo, CA

 

Academic Positions

 Visiting Faculty, Miami University

Department of Biology

  • Instructing one, 3-credit hour graduate-level Biology course/ semester, Master Plan

in Action (~30 students) and Foundations of Inquiry (~35 students)

 

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Georgia

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

  • Planning, implementing, and managing independent research and participating in projects managed by the PI (Roberta Salmi)

 

Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Georgia

  • Lecture development/delivery and grading for ANTH 2045 Introduction to Biological Anthropology (~75 students/semester) and ANTH 2045L Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab (~25 students/ semester)

 

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Georgia

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

  • Planning, implementing, and managing independent research and participating in projects managed by the PI (Roberta Salmi)

 

Interim Graduate Advisor, Advanced Inquiry Program

San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research – Escondido, CA

Miami University – Oxford, OH

  • Advising and logistical management of ~120 graduate students

 

Relevant Employment

Animal Welfare Project Manager

Animal Welfare Expertise – United Kingdom

 

Research Coordinator

San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research – Escondido, CA

 

Program Coordinator and Intern Supervisor, Rookies for Recovery

San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research – Escondido, CA

 

ROAR Corps Keeper Loan Program

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance – San Diego and Escondido, CA

 

Safari Experiences

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance – San Diego and Escondido, CA

 

Certifications and Specialized Training

  • Certified Pet Therapeutic Nutrition Coach – North American Veterinary Community

  • Project Management in Wildlife Conservation Certificate – WildTeam

  • Conservation Measures Partnership Open Standards Certificate – Institute for Wildlife Studies

  • Certified Interpretive Guide – National Association for Interpretation

  • CPR and AED Certification – American Heart Association

  • Wilderness First Aid Certification – American Safety & Health Institute

  • Operant Conditioning Training Certificate – American Kennel Club

 

Professional Training and Skill Competencies

  • Practical Zoo Nutrition Management – Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation

  • Wildlife Rehabilitation Protocol Development Training – Project Wildlife, San Diego Humane Society

  • Rabies Vector Species & Zoonotic Disease Management – Project Wildlife, San Diego Humane Society

  • Reflective Structured Dialogue facilitator training – J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development

  • Training in environmental law and federal compliance regulations (includes OSHA, IACUC and IRB)

  • Experience in statistical analyses and software (R and SPSS)

  • Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Word Processor, Outlook, Galaxy Point of Sale Software, Apple Operating Systems/software, ZIMS, and ZooMonitor

  • Experience using citation management software (Mendeley, EndNote, and Zotero)

  • Proficiency in ArcGIS mapping software and Survey123 data collection software

  • Experience with GPS technologies and radio telemetry practices (includes collaring and tracking)

  • Fundraising and management experience with both micro- and large-scale budgets

  • Formal training in peer mentoring, group facilitation, pedagogy, and professional writing

  • Veterinary care and laboratory technician experience involving tissue sampling and analysis, parasitology methods, and prescribing and administering medication (Project Wildlife, San Diego, CA)

  • Animal care, handling, diet preparation, and management training for a variety of primates, hoof stock, canids, passerines, psittacines, raptors, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates

  • Completed Biotechnology and Laboratory Procedure training with molecular laboratory equipment and techniques including microscopy, micro-pipetting, gel electrophoresis, and PCR (San Diego Miramar College, CA)

  • Training in laboratory nutritional analysis methods including sample processing, bomb calorimetry, NDF, ADF, fat extraction, CHN, microfat extraction, and ashing.

  • Extensive experience conducting behavior and welfare assessments for a variety of species in both captive and wild settings

  • Languages: English (native speaker fluency); French (intermediate writing/reading and basic speaking; American Sign Language (intermediate use); Kiswahili (beginning level speaking)

 

Grants

National Science Foundation Non-Academic Research Award (INTERN)

University of Georgia Graduate School Travel Award

Department of Anthropology Student Travel Award Fund

Energetics in Anthropology Early Career Award

Animal Behavior Collective Microgrant Recipient

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP)   

Friends of the International Center Opportunities Abroad Program Scholarship

 

Awards and Recognition

San Diego Zoo Global “Zooperstar” Employee Recognition Award

San Diego Zoo Executive Team Recognition Award – $600

Petco Inc. “Caught in the Act” Outstanding Employee Recognition

 

Publications

2022                Bloomfield, L. S., Tracey, C., Mbabazi, E., Schultz, R. L., Henderson, R., Bardosh, K., & Paige, S. (2022). Research Participation Influences Willingness to Reduce Zoonotic Exposure in Uganda. EcoHealth, 1-16.

 

2016                Schultz, R., Killer conservation: the implications of disease on gorilla conservation. BioRisk 11:1-11. https://doi.org/10.3897/biorisk.11.9941

 

Professional Writing

2022                Clegg, I., and Schultz, R.L., IdeaBox: an Open Access Platform for Sharing Innovative Enrichment Ideas. Soundings.

 

2019                Schultz, R. L., Rookies for Recovery Final Report Program Pilot 2018. Program and grant report issued to the U.S. Department of the Interior Division of Fish and Wildlife Conservation.

 

2019                Schultz, R. L., Where have all the biologists gone? [Web log post]. Retrieved
from https://institute.sandiegozoo.org/science-blog/where-have-all-biologists-gone

 

2018                Schultz, R. L., BLM Interns Train for Recovery of the Rare and Threatened. SavePlants. Retrieved from https://saveplants.org/2018/12/11/december-2018-news/

 

Academic Presentations

2023                Schultz, R., and Clegg, I., Beyond Cetaceans: The C-Well Assessment and its applications for other species. Poster presentation and First Place Poster award for the International Marine Animal Trainers Association and Animal Behavior Management Alliance joint conference, Atlanta, GA.

 

2022                Schultz, R., Beyond Nutrition and Activity: proposing demographic-specific energy expenditure analysis for western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in North American Zoos. Accepted abstract and presentation for Energetics in Anthropology Workshop at Duke University, Durham, NC.

 

2022                Schultz, R., Captivity’s Role in Conservation. Invited Lecture for Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources course in Wildlife Physiology and Nutrition.

 

2021                Schultz, R., Watching Gorillas: my job as a primatologist. Invited speaker for the Oconee County School District “Rock Your School!” event.

 

2021                Schultz, R., Gorilla Body Basics. Science communication piece presentation at the 2021 ComSciCon Workshop, Atlanta, GA.

 

2020                Schultz, R., Why do we care about gorillas? Invited speaker for World Gorilla Day outreach event, Oconee County School District.

 

2019                Plucinski, K., Atkins, K., Borau, M., Driscoll, R., Remine, K., Schultz, R., Matteson, K. Engaging local communities to create social and ecological change: Lessons from Project Dragonfly’s Advanced Inquiry Program. Poster presentation at the Annual Conference for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, New Orleans, LA.

 

2019                Schultz, R., The role of Community Engagement. Invited speaker for San Diego Zoo Global Volunteers Meeting, Escondido, CA.

 

2018                Dunch, V., Blue, J., Canfield, H., & Schultz, R., African elephant reproductive endocrinology. Workshop presentation at the California Science Teachers Association Annual Conference, Sacramento, CA.

 

2018           Gibson, L., Ruppert, K., Kutina, K., Blue, J., Dunch, V., Miller, A., Schultz, R.,

Do conservation pledges work? Measuring students’ behavior change in response to zoo field trip and conservation action pledge. Poster presentation at the Annual Conference of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Spokane, WA.

 

2017                Kutina, K., & Schultz, R., African elephant reproductive endocrinology.

Workshop presentation at the California Science Teachers Association Annual

Conference, Sacramento, CA.

 

2016                Schultz, R., Incentivizing conservation education in Kenya. Poster presentation at the World Community Conference, Cincinnati, OH.

 

2016                Schultz, R., History and status of women in STEAM. Committee Chair, Moderator and Presenter at the Young Women in Science Collaboration Workshop, San Diego, CA.

 

Research Experience

Smithsonian Institute Intern

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI-NZP)

Center for Species Survival, the Department of Nutrition Science,

the Department of Wildlife Health Sciences, and the Primate Unit at the National

Zoo (NSF-funded)

  • Focus: This internship focused on providing professional development experiences in project management, problem-solving, discussion facilitation, and other skills pertinent to filling a leadership role in major research organizations and/or zoological institutions.

  • Skills: nutritional analysis of food samples, the development of diet protocols, diet preparation, animal husbandry, and in body condition scoring, and have shadowed the behavioral training for several species.

  • Mentors: Dr. Michael Power, Animal Scientist, and Becky Malinsky, Curator of Primates

 

Animal Welfare Project Management Internship

Animal Welfare Expertise

  • Focus: This internship provided training in welfare assessment methods, especially for cetaceans and other marine mammals living in captivity, and in applied methods for measuring and improving welfare in zoos and aquaria globally. 

  • Skills: project management, science communication, report writing, data analysis, and the development and implementation of welfare assessments for a wide range of species

  • Mentor: Dr. Isabella Clegg

 

Doctoral Research

Focus: For my doctoral research, I study how nutrition and physiology affect the metabolic and cardiovascular health of gorillas housed in North American Zoos. I also participate in a research project investigating the arboreality of wild western lowland gorillas, Gorilla gorilla gorilla, and how this not only contributes to our understanding of gorilla habitat use and feeding ecology but can inform zoo enclosure and exhibit design.

 

Volunteer Researcher

Colobus Conservation Ltd.

Foci: coastal forest biodiversity, wildlife rehabilitation, incentivizing community-based conservation initiatives, human dimensions in conservation

 

Primate Conservation and Southeast Asia Ecology Earth Expedition － Borneo

Miami University and San Diego Zoo Global

Foci: primate conservation, forest ecology, community-based conservation, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, alternative/sustainable livelihood development

 

Graduate Research Intern － San Diego, CA

San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research

Foci: zoological enclosure metrics, captive animal welfare, behavioral observations and identification methods in primates, primate socio-sexual behavior

 

Primate Behavior, Wildlife Ecology, and Conservation Field School － Kenya

The State University of New Jersey, Rutgers

Foci: primatology field methods, primate feeding ecology and mother-infant relationships, habitat assessment, ungulate and carnivore ecology, nutrient sourcing of Tana River red colobus, Pilicolobus rufomitratus.

​

Teaching Experience

Visiting Faculty

Courses: (graduate level) Master Plan in Action and Foundations of Inquiry

Department of Biology, Miami University

 

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Courses: (undergraduate level) Introduction to Biological Anthropology and Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab

University of Georgia

 

Alumni Leader

Course: (graduate level) Animal Behavior and Conservation

Advanced Inquiry Program, Miami University and San Diego Zoo Global

 

Course Facilitator

Courses: (graduate level; courses recurred every year) Foundations of Inquiry, Graduate Research Internship, Graduate Research Independent Study, Conservation Research in Living Collection Institutions, Biodiversity of Southern California, Inspiring engagement: The art of making science matter, and Human Dimensions of Conservation

Advanced Inquiry Program, Miami University and San Diego Zoo Global

 

Instructor and Curriculum Development

Teacher Workshops in Conservation Science

Courses: (post-baccalaureate level) African Elephant Reproductive Endocrinology, Polar Bear Bioacoustics, Polar Bear Energetics, California Condor Genetics, Desert Tortoise Spatial Ecology, Life in a Biodiversity Hotspot, Giraffe Spatial Ecology, ‘Alalā Genetics, ‘Alalā Spatial Ecology, and Animal Behavior Inquiry

San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research

 

 Instructor and Curriculum Development

Exploring Conservation Science Field Trips

Courses: (6th grade through undergraduate level) African Elephant Reproductive Endocrinology, Polar Bear Bioacoustics, Polar Bear Energetics, California Condor Genetics, Desert Tortoise Spatial Ecology, Life in a Biodiversity Hotspot, and Backyard Biodiversity Hotspot

San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research

 

Outdoor Education Specialist

Cuyamaca Outdoor School (grades 5-6)

San Diego County Office of Education

 

Student Leader

Course: (graduate level) Conservation Science and Community Advanced Inquiry Program

Miami University

 

Community Involvement and Service

Gender, the Body, and Fieldwork Symposium, Planning Committee – University of Georgia

Spring Speaker Event Coordinator for Dr. Patricia Wright – University of Georgia

Anthropology Graduate Student Organization, President – University of Georgia

Anthropology Graduate Student Organization, Member – University of Georgia

Women in Science, Member – University of Georgia

Anthropology Undergraduate Mentorship Program, Mentor – University of Georgia

Green Dragon Conservation Education, Grants Coordinator – San Diego, CA

Alumni Mentor – Miami University

Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, Judge

Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering (BeWiSE) Workshop, Chaperone

Jane Goodall Institute Roots and Shoots Youth Summit, Volunteer

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Interpretive Volunteer – San Diego, CA

 

Professional Memberships

  • Graduate Women in Science – Member

  • Association for Women in Science – Member

  • Animal Behavior Society – Member

  • Animal Behavior Management Alliance – Member

  • American Society of Primatologists – Member

  • International Primatological Society – Member

  • Comparative Nutrition Society – Member

  • National Association for Interpretation – Member

  • Association of Zoos and Aquariums – Professional Affiliate Member

  • International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council – Member

  • National Autism Association – Member

  • Foundation for Science and Disability – Member

This site is not representative of any organization or business entity. All photography and content are property of the site and/or author unless otherwise stated and are not to be used without permission.

©2022 by Rhiannon Lee Schultz.

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