Karyn Rode
Portland
Summary
Wildlife biologist with extensive experience supporting species management and conservation working both with animals in the wild and in human care. Strong focus on building effective teams, adaptability to novel situations, and achieving meaningful results. Known for problem-solving abilities, effective communication and leadership in collaborative projects.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Geological Survey
02.2012 - Current
- Lead complex and novel projects with large teams
- Research large mammals to inform management and policy
- Research animals in human care to improve conservation in the wild and enhance care
- Conduct public outreach and media interviews
- Serve on International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) species specialist groups, US Fish and Wildlife Service recovery teams, and AZA Species Survival Program committees.
- Serve as vice president of a non-profit and co-chair of an international conservation grants program
- Analyze data and publish manuscripts
- Obtain funding and manage multiple, complex budgets
Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
10.2006 - 01.2012
- Coordinated wildlife management among international, national, state, and local partners
- Managed complex field projects, including hiring, field logistics, contracting, and budget management
- Wrote species status reviews
- Obtained and reviewed permits
- Supervised staff and volunteers
- Maintained data archives, analyzed data, and published manuscripts
Research Associate
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
12.2005 - 10.2006
- Identified and conducted high-impact conservation monitoring and research of forest elephants
- Worked with the Gabonese government and local communities to develop conservation projects
- Fundraised and applied for grants to support research and conservation activities
- Supervised staff and managed budgets and project logistics
Wildlife Biologist
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
01.2002 - 11.2005
- Lead a complex, multifaceted study to determine best practices for managing human activities in wildlife habitat
- Supervised staff and a rotating group of 10 volunteers
- Managed budgets and organized and manageddata collection
- Conducted helicopter-based wildlife captures in remote areas
- Built and maintained remote field camps for months at a time
- Analyzed data, and wrote and published manuscripts
PhD candidate
University of Florida
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Conducted research in Uganda on best logging practices to support primate species and methods for mitigating crop raiding by elephants
- Hired and supervised local Ugandan field crews and collaborated with Uganda wildlife biologists to address local information needs
- Analyzed data and wrote and published manuscripts.
MS student
Washington State University
01.1996 - 01.2000
- Cared for brown bears at the WSU Bear Research Center
- Conducted research to better understand the bear nutritional needs in the wild
- Analyzed data and wrote and published manuscripts
- Taught multiple university courses
Education
B.S. - Wildlife Biology
Colorado State University
M.S. - Zoology
Washington State University
PhD - Zoology
Washington State University
Skills
- Wildlife Studies
- Conservation Strategies
- Project management
- Grant-writing and fund-raising
- Outreach and media
Media Outreach
- 1.5 min Interview with the Oregonian, https://youtu.be/6k6DDtnrCRM?feature=shared
- 40-minute invited presentation at the Aquarium of the Pacific, https://www.youtube.com/live/OwzCuF8BQBE?feature=shared
- 17 min Interview with Portland Fox News, https://www.wlbt.com/video/2024/02/15/studying-polar-bears-with-tech-tested-oregon-zoo/
Accomplishments
Led the first comprehensive study of the Chukchi Sea polar bear population generating 8 years of data that have informed management under international treaties and US laws.
Coordinated with Russian federal government and scientists and indigenous leaders in the US and Russia to implement a treaty focused on wildlife conservation
Led restructuring of a grants program for a conservation non-profit to improve conservation success and process transparency.
Identified nutritional motivations of elephant crop raiding that have informed new strategies for mitigating crop raiding by elephants and other species
Identified nutritional requirements of multiple species that have been used to refine animal care.
Published over 90 scientific studies informing species conservation and management.
Timeline
Research Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Geological Survey
02.2012 - Current
Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
10.2006 - 01.2012
Research Associate
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
12.2005 - 10.2006
Wildlife Biologist
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
01.2002 - 11.2005
PhD candidate
University of Florida
01.2000 - 01.2002
MS student
Washington State University
01.1996 - 01.2000
M.S. - Zoology
Washington State University
PhD - Zoology
Washington State University
B.S. - Wildlife Biology
Colorado State University
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