Lily E. Carter
Tampa,FL
Summary
Lily Carter is an Applied Anthropology M.A. candidate with experience designing and conducting community-based research, program evaluation, and ethnographic fieldwork focused on poverty and homelessness. She has extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, interviewing, and community engagement. Lily collaborates with nonprofit organizations to translate research findings into practical recommendations that support underserved communities.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal Investigator, M.A. Thesis Research
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL
01.2025 - Current
- Research focused on community-based efforts to provide food and social connection for community members who suffer from food insecurity, poverty, and homelessness resulting from the limitations of federal, state, and local policy.
- Developed research design in collaboration with academic advisors and the Feeding Tampa Bay organization's research committee
- Developed essential participant protection documents for University IRB approval
- Conducted individual and group interviews
- Generated qualitative coding to analyze interview data using ATLAS-ti
- Created and disseminated online surveys
- Used SPSS software to conduct quantitative analysis on survey data
- Conducted participant observation
- Summarized findings, strengths, weaknesses, and connected results to social and political theories in final thesis
- Presented results to the Feeding Tampa Bay organization and facilitated open discussion with the organization to discuss the results of the program evaluation and my recommendations for current and future food programs.
- Skills learned: Research design, collaboration, public speaking skills, presentation skills, community engagement, interviewing techniques, field research techniques, observational skills, ethnography, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, program evaluation, community engagement, literature reviews; data analysis using SPSS, ATLAS-ti, and Excel
Student Researcher
Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Center
Baton Rouge, LA
01.2021 - 01.2025
- Performed husbandry- animal rearing, monitoring animal health and safety, problem-solving when health issues arise
- Dissected axolotls and frogs for ongoing laboratory research projects
- Developed research projects as primary investigator: axolotl egg development, physical adaptations of frogs to changes in water temperature
- Trained new student workers in animal husbandry and research techniques
- Photographed data using professional digital cameras (Canon)
- Analyzed digital images using imageJ analysis software and trained others in using the software (self-taught)
- Learned proper operation of lab equipment
- Operated Clarius ultrasound technology for experiments and monitoring animal health (self-taught)
- Created animal husbandry training videos for new employees and other labs (wrote scripts, filmed, recorded voiceovers, edited videos)
- Designed informational graphics using Canva
- Organized and analyzed data using Microsoft Excel
- Outreach/Teaching Experience:
- Teaching children about our research and 3D printing technology at LSU agriculture fairs
- Skills learned: Research methods, collaboration, public speaking/presentation skills, research design; data analysis using ImageJ, Canva, and Excel
Education Specialist
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Tampa, FL
01.2025 - Current
- Designed and led interactive educational programming for children and adults
- Designed and implemented animal and habitat conservation-focused curriculums
- Developed and performed in educational performances for children
- Skills learned: Designing and implementing curriculums, working with children, performance and public speaking, teaching, presentation skills, community engagement, customer service; Canva, Excel
Education
M.A. - Applied Anthropology
University of South Florida
01.2027
B.A. - Anthropology, History, Geography
Louisiana State University
Skills
- Systems Thinking
- Critical Analysis
- Analytical Problem Solving
- Qualitative Research Design and Analysis
- Quantitative Research Design and Analysis
- Community Engagement
- Program Evaluation
- Ethnography
- Group and Individual Interviews
- Writing and Storytelling
- Proposal Writing
- Conducting Literature Reviews
- Interdisciplinary Communication and Collaboration
- Teaching and Presentation Skills
- SPSS
- Microsoft Excel
- ImageJ
- Canva
- ATLAS-ti
AWARDS
Susan K. Ryan Graduate Fellowship in Anthropology award winner | 2026
Timeline
Principal Investigator, M.A. Thesis Research
University of South Florida
01.2025 - Current
Education Specialist
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
01.2025 - Current
Student Researcher
Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Center
01.2021 - 01.2025
B.A. - Anthropology, History, Geography
Louisiana State University
M.A. - Applied Anthropology
University of South Florida