Nell Alison Bekiares, M.S.

12982
Nicollet Avenue #201, Burnsville,
MN 55337

(952)
736-0447, [email-masked]

Strong,
independent, and inquisitive biologist.  Mature and decisive leader.  Detail oriented and ethical team player
and instructor.   Effective writer.

·
Zoo
Management & Animal Husbandry

·
Conservation
& Science (Zoology, Ecology, and Population Biology)

·
Organization
Relationships & Management

·
Training
& Development

·
Communications
& Coordination

Employment History:

Database
Curator (Chimpanzee Biomedical Research) &

Biological
Projects Coordinator (Grant-funded Programs)

M
arch 2001-Present

International
Species Information System (ISIS), Eagan,
Minnesota

Accurately
recorded behavioral, pedigree, and animal identification data in
specialized software

Collaborated
in cross-functional groups & teams locally and long-distance to
produce product

Successfully
applied for, managed, and completed federal grant projects for NIH, NMFS,
and NSF

Earned
progressively responsible tasks and jobs leading to independent work with
minimal supervision

Wrote
technical documents for software applications

Coordinated
international meetings including agendas, small group work, and reporting

Created
publicity materials (brochures, newsletters and handouts) for program
promotion

Reported
on successful, on-going grant work and won continued funding

Wrote
winning in-kind $100,000 grant for the use of GIS technology in
international software product

Copy
editor (grammar, spelling, wording and content) for internal office work

Used
advanced functions of office productivity software daily

Amphibian
Keeper

August
2000-March 2001

Cincinnati Zoo and
Botanical Garden, Ohio

Ensured
best possible well-being of captive & agricultural animals through
day-to-day care: Daily processes (milking) and meeting daily needs (feed,
water, shelter, behavior); Propagation (including artificial
insemination), incubating and hand-rearing, initial processing (tail
docking, ear notches, vaccinations), and assisting with veterinary
procedures; Observing behavior and supporting operant conditioning,
enrichment, and training programs; Safely shifting, handling, restraining,
and capturing animals; Providing clean and safe housing including exhibit
maintenance & construction; Acquiring and disposing of specimens
according to policy and collection planning; Assuring regulatory
compliance with regard to permits

Demonstrated
and maintained current and thorough knowledge of taxonomy, natural
history, nutritional requirements, ethology, and pathology for wide range
of taxa

Monitored
and ensured safety and enjoyment of visitors and guests to public zoo
facilities

Teaching
Assistant & Network Administrator

August
1997-August 2000

Southern Illinois University,
Carbondale

·
Networked
and provided technical support and upgrading to Mac & PC operating systems

Formulated
and balanced animal diets for agricultural species by hand and using
software

Other Related Experience:

Supported
work for well-known personalities: Ulysses S. Seal, Jane Goodall, Jeanne
Altmann, Francine Patterson (keeper of Koko, sign-language trained
gorilla), and Bill Nye the Science Guy

Authored
more than 20 publications in popular, industry, and peer-reviewed journals
& books

Demonstrated
supervisory skills: Communication with supervisees and supervisors;
Leadership by example and encouraging “ownership”;
Decision-making; Managing staff
schedules; Recruiting and retaining staff;
Encouraging staff development
and continuing education

Developed
and refined practical and progressive curricula for classes and trainings

Trained
staff through in-services and one-on-one mentoring

Komodo
Dragon International Studbook Keeper

M
arch 1997-August 2003

Represented
institution and participated in decision-making at regional, national, and
international professional conferences and meetings for the purpose of
planning and directing acquisition, display, care, and breeding
recommendations of animal collections

Recommended
successful international endangered species breeding arrangement for Varanus
komodoensis resulting in genetically valuable offspring

Avian ZIDP
Volunteer, American Association of Zookeepers

September
1998-September 2001

Science-by-Mail
Volunteer, Museum of Science, Boston

December
1997-June 2000

·
Educated
visitors through interpretive and outreach programs at zoos and museums

Intern,
Episode 89-Life Cycles, Bill Nye the Science Guy (PBS)

June
1997-July 1997

Zookeeper
Intern, Cincinnati
Zoo and Botanical Garden

January-May
1997

Zookeeper
Intern, Fossil Rim
Wildlife Center,
Glen Rose, Texas

Safely
and legally transported endangered species statewide for rehabilitation
and zoo trade

Education
& Zookeeper Volunteer, Fort Worth Zoo

Intern,
Gorilla Foundation, Woodside

Zookeeper
Volunteer, San Francisco
Zoo

Zookeeper
Volunteer, Happy Hollow Zoo

Intern, International Center for Gibbon Studies

Volunteer,
Jane Goodall Institute

Docent, Museum of Natural History, UIUC

Education:

Double
Master of Science
in Zoology and Animal Science, Southern Illinois
University, Carbondale, Illinois

Effectively
communicated technical information with audiences to facilitate learning
through use of the Socratic method, didactic teaching and presentation
materials

Mastered
research techniques in the lab and field: microtiter plate assay; atomic
absorption spectroscopy; Kjeldahl analysis; starch gel electrophoresis; live-trapping (Sherman), safe handling; mark &
release/recapture; euthanasia by cervical dislocation

Assumed
responsibility for data recording, statistic analysis, and interpretation

Published
and presented research findings in peer-reviewed forums

Gained  knowledge of ecological surveys for
soil, water, and wildlife toxicology through coursework

Participated
in special events and promotional activities: Rend Lake Days, deer check
and chronic wasting disease surveys for state Fish and Wildlife agencies

Bachelor of
Science
in Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution (EEE), &

Bachelor of
Arts
in Anthropology, Minor in English, University
of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois