GERALD MEDINA
Bronx
Summary
Motivated Zoology graduate with hands-on experience in animal handling, veterinary support, and wildlife research. Strong academic background in mammalogy, animal behavior, and ecology, combined with practical skills from fieldwork in Costa Rica and bioacoustic research at UVM. Passionate about the care, welfare, and behavioral enrichment of large mammals, with a proven ability to work safely, responsibly, and collaboratively in animal-focused environments.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Receptionist / Veterinary Assistant
VCA Brown Animal Hospital
01.2023 - Current
- Greet clients and their pets, answer phone calls, schedule appointments, and serve as the first point of contact.
- Assist veterinarians by safely restraining animals during procedures and exams.
- Collect and prepare lab samples, including fecal, blood, and urine samples.
- Administer medications as directed and maintain accurate patient records.
- Clean, disinfect, and organize exam rooms to support smooth clinical workflow.
Orientation Team Leader
University of Vermont
08.2022 - 08.2024
- Provided guidance, support, and supervision to Orientation Leaders welcoming incoming students.
- Represented UVM positively while promoting an inclusive, supportive environment.
- Helped coordinate orientation activities to ensure smooth event flow.
- Demonstrated strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced setting.
Education
B.A. - Zoology, Minor in Environmental Studies
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT05.2025
Skills
- Proficient in Spanish and English
- Animal handling expertise: Cats and dogs
- Professional verbal and written communication
- Strong ability to work cohesively in fast-paced teams
Affiliations
1. ONDAS Bioacoustics Laboratory
2. NSF IRES Costa Rica Program
3. University of Vermont Department of Biology
Certification
Open Water SCUBA Diver Certification
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Interests
Wildlife Conservation
Marine Biology
Mammalogy
Animal Behavior
Animal–Human Interaction
Timeline
Receptionist / Veterinary Assistant
VCA Brown Animal Hospital
01.2023 - Current
Orientation Team Leader
University of Vermont
08.2022 - 08.2024
B.A. - Zoology, Minor in Environmental Studies
University of Vermont
INTERESTS
Wildlife Conservation, Marine Biology, Animal Behavior, Animal–Human Interaction
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
NSF IRES Research Program – Marine Megafauna & Coral Reef Monitoring
- Santa Elena, Costa Rica
- Summer 2025
- Selected for the NSF IRES program studying marine megafauna and coral reef communities using remote technologies.
- Conducted fieldwork on Pacific stingrays and Pacific nurse sharks, including biological surveys and workups.
- Completed SCUBA-based coral surveys (line intercept transects, chain transects, photoquadrats).
- Participated in coral reef restoration using Pocillopora coral gardening techniques: fragmentation, nursery maintenance, and attachment.
- Assisted with cetacean acoustic monitoring using hydrophones, visual observation logs, and environmental data collection.
Research Assistant – ONDAS Bioacoustics Lab
- University of Vermont — PI: Dr. Laura May-Collado
- 2025 – Present
- Analyze acoustic datasets from spinner, spotted, and bottlenose dolphins across Costa Rica, Panama, and the Bahamas.
- Identify, isolate, and categorize whistles, clicks, and burst pulses from hydrophone recordings.
- Measure acoustic variables (frequency range, peak frequency, duration) while incorporating ecological and behavioral context.
- Contribute to research on dolphin communication, social structure, and species differences.
- Collaborate with graduate students to ensure dataset quality and share preliminary findings.