Andrew Draper
Fort Collins,CO
Summary
Keeper or Research Fellow position providing data collection, animal husbandry, animal nutrition, and a clean work environment. I am hoping to gain project management experience within the zoo and aquarium industry. An ideal workplace would provide opportunity for research regarding improved care, habitat enrichment, conservation, and collection sustainability.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Research and Conservation Intern
Butterfly Pavilion
01.2023 - Current
- Aquatic animal husbandry including water quality testing, filter and equipment maintenance, and animal welfare assessments
- Created a procedural care guide for Odonata larvae for training onboarding employees and volunteers
- Trained community volunteers on standard operating procedure
- Managed scheduled feedings and observations using TRACKS software
- Conducted field surveys to collect data on wildlife populations and habitats.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Graduate Teaching Assistant (Mentor)
Colorado State University
08.2022 - Current
- Canvas systems management
- Mentor to over 36 other graduate teaching assistants, including organizing and leading meetings, providing evaluations and feedback, collecting and distributing materials
- Mentored students through office hours and one-on-one communication.
- Grading assignments, proctoring tests, and other evaluations according to university standards.
- Documented attendance and completed assignments to maintain full class and student records.
- Worked with teachers in evaluating student progress, needs and gains.
- Collaborated with other faculty and staff to improve teaching and learning by sharing resources and best practices.
- Assessed student learning to evaluate teaching method success and make necessary adjustments.
- Built and maintained professional relationships with students and faculty members.
- Monitored student progress to identify weaknesses and provide recommendations for improvement.
- Devised and implemented strategies for engaging students in class discussions.
- Assisted with development and implementation of new course materials to enhance learning experience.
- Prepared letters of recommendation for students looking to obtain internships and cooperative opportunities.
- Taught Attributes of Living Systems LIFE 102 (Biology GT-SC1) college-level courses for over 240 students.
Veterinary Assistant
NVA Milner Veterinary Hospital
11.2019 - 07.2022
- Provided care for animals before surgeries, administering anesthetics as necessary for overall comfort and health.
- Collected patient biopsies and blood samples for laboratory analysis.
- Kept detailed records of animal treatments and medications.
- Assisted veterinarian during immunologic, medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures.
- Performed laboratory testing including bloodwork, fecal analysis, microscopy, tissue and bacterial culturing, and preparing collected samples for external evaluation.
- Cleaned and disinfected exam areas, surgical equipment, operating rooms, and kennels to prevent diseases and control odors.
- Processed new patients and updated client records using standardized registration systems and encrypted databases.
- Administered injections, oral and topical medications to animals in treatment under veterinary guidance and documented changes in condition.
- Assisted with euthanasia procedures humanely and compassionately to minimize suffering.
- Helped with training of new veterinary assistants and support staff to improve individuals' capabilities.
- Answered owner animal health questions and advised on best care practices.
- Filled prescriptions and communicated instructions to pet owners about proper use and storage of drugs.
Veterinary Assistant
Good Neighbor Vet
07.2018 - 06.2020
- Provided customer support to clients, answering animal health questions and addressing concerns based on best care practices.
- Collected patient biopsies and blood samples for laboratory analysis.
- Restrained animals for examination and treatment.
- Followed safety protocols for handling animals.
- Monitored vital signs and provided nursing care for animals.
- Collected and prepared specimens and samples for outside laboratory analysis.
- Cleaned and disinfected exam areas and medical equipment to prevent diseases and control odors.
- Administered medications to animals in treatment
- Helped with training of new veterinary assistants and support staff to improve individuals' capabilities.
- Processed new patients and updated client records using standardized registration systems.
Nonprofit Fundraiser
Ruffalo Noel Levitz
08.2016 - 05.2017
- Professional handling of personal information and organization funding information to maintain client privacy and security.
- Developed and maintained accurate donor databases to track donations and engage with donors.
- Cultivated relationships with existing and potential donors to increase donations by $5,000
- Attended events to develop professional network of potential donors.
Education
Professional Science Master’s in Zoo and Aquarium Management - Biology
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO05.2024
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Portland State University
Portland, OR05.2020
Skills
- Conducting conservation research in the field
- Data collection and analysis, including Excel and R programming
- Responsible conduct of research in the Humanities (social and behavioral)
- Responsible conduct of research with laboratory animals
- Studbook management
- Working safely with dangerous animals
- DR and Ginny Pulliam Scholars Program Graduate Providing environmental education at the 4th grade level, including lesson planning to fulfill state standards Experience in leadership with one-on-one mentorship of high school students of biology, with 30 hours of field experience
- DEI Committee Member Organizing and hosting outreach events, preparing and presenting workplace continuing education and training, and coordinating with existing resource centers
- Poster Presentation at Association of Zoos and Aquariums Annual Conference 2023 (Innovations in the Care of a Sensitive Dragonfly Species)
Certification
- Radiology Safety and Certification to Operate X-ray Machinery (State of Oregon); Portland Community College, 2020
- Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG), National Association for Interpretation, 2023 – 2025
- Exotic Animal First Aid and CPR Certified, Pet Emergency Education, 2022 - 2024
- SCUBA Certified, 2024
- Animal Care and Use (Research settings), CITI Program, 2019
References
- Haley Inman – Assistant Manager and Lead Veterinary Assistant, NVA Milner Veterinary Hospital | 503-704-7131 | info@milnervet.com
- Tammy Sartor - Manager, Good Neighbor Veterinary Clinics | 971-219-3086 | info@goodneighborvet.com
- Jasmine Cota – Program Center Manager, Ruffalo Noel Levitz | 503-725-9241 | jasmine.cota@ruffaloonl.com
- Victoria McCarthy, MD – Doctor of Family Medicine, Associates in Family Medicine, P.C. | 970-946-7767 | vmccarthy@afmfc.com
- Dee-Dee Wright - Asst. Professor of Experiential Education, Colorado State University | 970-776-6672 | deedeewright@colostate.edu
- Ren Garcia-Hellmuth – Biology Department Lab Coordinator, Colorado State University | 720-883-3536 | lauren.hellmuth@colostate.edu
- Nicole Stafford – Director at CSU Environmental Learning Center, Colorado State University | 970-491-1661 | nicole.stafford@colostate.edu
- Annie Wallin, PSM - Master’s Program Coordinative Assistant, Instructor, Colorado State University | 970-491-2993 | annie.wallin@colostate.edu
Publications
Draper, A. (2020) Proposal for Comparative Morphometrics of Tübingen (TU) and Tübingen longfin (TL) Zebrafish (Danio rerio). University Honors Theses. Paper 889. https://doi.org/10.15760/honors.910 Access from: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/honorstheses/889/
Timeline
Research and Conservation Intern
Butterfly Pavilion
01.2023 - Current
Graduate Teaching Assistant (Mentor)
Colorado State University
08.2022 - Current
Veterinary Assistant
NVA Milner Veterinary Hospital
11.2019 - 07.2022
Veterinary Assistant
Good Neighbor Vet
07.2018 - 06.2020
Nonprofit Fundraiser
Ruffalo Noel Levitz
08.2016 - 05.2017
Professional Science Master’s in Zoo and Aquarium Management - Biology
Colorado State University
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Portland State University
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