Avishka Godahewa
Davie,USA
Summary
To put maximum effort and assist the research team I work with by fully utilizing my skills, capabilities and knowledge while enhancing my knowledge and skill set by learning from fellow researchers and work performed. Gain experience throughout the process to carry out my job effectively and efficiently with a goal of performing quality science and working towards betterment and conservation of wildlife. Skilled Researcher enthusiastic about supporting advancements in wildlife research and management. Passionate about increasing knowledge to drive growth and needed improvements. Ready to apply knowledge and 8 years of experience in both native and invasive wildlife research and management.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST
Westinghouse
Homestead, USA
01.2023 - 05.2024
- Employed as Environmental Specialist for Westinghouse Nuclear (formerly BHI Energy) stationed at Florida Power and Light's (FPL) Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant
- Responsible for environmental inspections for various facilities under land utilization department to ensure proper compliance to various environmental permitting
- Assisting FPL wildlife biologist in on site wildlife management, American crocodile nesting surveys and hatchling mark and recapture, and leading invasive tegu lizard removal and management project
- Assisting water sampling and water quality monitoring team in groundwater and surface water sampling, cleaning and calibration of monitoring probes
- Possess unescorted access to FPL's Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant.
- Participated in habitat development and improvement activities.
- Obtained wildlife biological data through trapping and tagging invasive tegu lizards and American crocodiles.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST
University of Florida
South Florida, USA
08.2016 - 01.2023
- Conducted research for conservation and management of American Crocodiles and American Alligators in South Florida (Everglades NP, Big Cypress NWR, Crocodile Lake NWR, Biscayne NP, Loxahatchee NWR, WCA 2, WCA 3A, WCA 3B, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve)
- Involved in research and monitoring of American Crocodiles in Jamaica partnering with National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Jamaica
- Involved in research and monitoring of American Crocodiles and Morelet's Crocodiles in Belize partnering with Lamanai Field Research Center Belize
- Involved in research concerning population dynamics, growth, health, and body condition of American Alligators and American Crocodiles in South Florida
- Monitoring American Alligators and American Crocodiles as Indicators of Everglades Restoration
- Managed American crocodile monitoring program at FPL's Turkey Point Nuclear power plant for UF
- Developed the study design and managed American crocodile nest environment study at Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge (CLNWR) for UF
- Involved in research and management of invasive and exotic species (Burmese Pythons, Tegus, Nile Monitors, Iguanas, Crocodilians, Chameleons, etc.) in South Florida
- Involved in satellite telemetry study of American crocodiles carried out by UF and Florida FWC (2018-2019)
- Involved in data collection, curation, database building and management, project management, report and manuscript writing, and science communication for multiple research and monitoring projects
- Involved in vehicle, vessel, and lab maintenance and upkeep
- Over six years of field experience conducting and leading crocodilian population surveys, captures, and nesting surveys.
- Participated in habitat development and improvement activities
BIOLOGICAL INTERN
University of Florida
Fort Lauderdale, USA
09.2015 - 11.2015
- First Intern of the Rafael Crespo Conservation Internship and Fund at the University of Florida Croc Docs, Stationed at Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center
- Involved in research and conservation projects of American crocodiles and American Alligators in South Florida
- Involved in invasive species management in South Florida.
FREELANCE CROCODILIAN RESEARCHER
Colombo/Kalutara District, Sri Lanka
01.2012 - Current
- Carrying out crocodilian rescue missions in Colombo/Kalutara District, Sri Lanka as part of Human Crocodile Conflict (HCC) mitigation project since 2012
- Researcher of the research team of national crocodile status survey in the Bolgoda River System, Sri Lanka
- Participating in the 22nd and 23rd International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)/ Species Survival Commission (SSC)/ Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG) working meetings
- Carrying out awareness campaigns on HCC to the public both affected and unaffected/ Educating public on Crocodiles in Sri Lanka
- Building Crocodile Excluding Enclosures (CEE) in Hambantota District (Thissamaharama/Kirinda), Sri Lanka in 2012 and 2015 as a project to mitigate HCC
- Carried out Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) surveys in Hambantota District (Thissamaharama), Sri Lanka to mitigate HCC
- Organizer and Resource person of the training Program on Safe Capturing/Handling/Transport/Release of Crocodiles, done for the Wildlife Rangers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation of Sri Lanka in May 2015
- A Resource person in training programs offered to the Wildlife Rangers & Officials of Department of Wildlife Conservation of Sri Lanka on Safe Capture/Translocation of Crocodiles
- Researching on crocodile attacks/captures/translocation in Sri Lanka
- Providing awareness and education on Crocodilians and HCC through social media.
Education
B.Sc. in Environmental Science
Associate of Arts -
BROWARD COLLEGE
DAVIE, FLundefined
BROWARD COLLEGE
DAVIE, FLundefined
BROWARD COLLEGE
DAVIE, FLSkills
- Self-Confident and motivated to overcome any problem
- Friendly personality with team spirit and ability to impress others
- Proficient in driving 4-wheel drive vehicles, motorboats, and airboats, and trailering (in adverse conditions)
- Highly experienced in handheld GPS units, trail cameras, Kestrel weather meters, satellite texters, Iridium satellite tag attachment (crocodilians), Acoustic tag attachment (crocodilians), OnSet HOBOware Temperature and soil moisture dataloggers
- Proficient in blood draws of crocodilians
- Proficient in capture, transport, and translocation of crocodilians and other reptiles
- Proficient in report writing, data visualization, and general statistics
- Completion of Florida Boating Safety Course and possession of a Florida boater's license (Boat US Foundation)
- Possession of Everglades National Park Boater Permit (National Park Service)
- Completion of Motorboat Operator Instructor Certification Course (Department of the Interior)
- CPR and First Aid certification (Divers Alert Network)
- Experienced in MS Office Suite, Garmin Basecamp, ArcGIS Pro, Survey 123, and general proficiency using computer software
- Over seven years of experience working in strenuous and rugged South Florida landscape and back country
- Possess unescorted access to Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant
- Various nuclear training certifications which are valid for any nuclear facility in US
- Documentation And Reporting
- Critical Thinking
- Attention to Detail
- Experiment Design
- File Management
- Works Well Under Pressure
- Scientific Writing
- Research presentation
- Research program planning
- Research Planning
- Data Graphics
- Data Compilation
- Survey Design
- Data collection and organization
- Fieldwork experience
Affiliations
- Commission Member of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)/ Species Survival Commission (SSC)/ Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG) since 2014.
- Member of Public Education and Community Participation thematic group of IUCN/SSC/CSG.
Timeline
ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST
Westinghouse
01.2023 - 05.2024
WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST
University of Florida
08.2016 - 01.2023
BIOLOGICAL INTERN
University of Florida
09.2015 - 11.2015
FREELANCE CROCODILIAN RESEARCHER
01.2012 - Current
B.Sc. in Environmental Science
Associate of Arts -
BROWARD COLLEGE
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BROWARD COLLEGE
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BROWARD COLLEGE