Lucia Baert Balguerias
Miami,United States
Summary
High-performing graduate student with a solid background in education and abroad experience, eager to apply analytical and problem-solving skills to practice in a professional setting.
Substantial experience in fieldwork and laboratory work in different settings, with remarkable leadership and teamwork skills. Excellent at conducting research, managing projects, and interpreting and presenting results with accuracy. Reliable problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Proficiency in R Studio and data analysis. Strong writing skills for scientific reports and proposals and great public speaking and communication skills in both Spanish and English.
Hardworking and passionate marine scientist, diver, and ocean lover seeking a position that offers professional challenges and the opportunity to gain more knowledge while actively participating in marine conservation efforts.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Graduate Intern
University of Miami
05.2023 - 12.2023
- Enhanced research quality by conducting comprehensive literature reviews and utilizing relevant resources.
- Led the successful completion of my master's thesis with a meta-study in elasmobranch epidermal microbiomes through diligent data collection, organization, and interpretation.
- Demonstrated adaptability and versatility by quickly familiarizing with new software, tools, and methodologies as required for various tasks or projects.
- Utilized advanced data processing techniques by writing customized code for specific project needs using programming languages like R Studio and BioConda, gaining proficiency in microbiome analysis methods for 16S rRNA amplicon data.
- Constructed visually engaging presentations illustrating key findings from research studies.
- Presented research findings at conferences and symposiums, enhancing communication skills and promoting scholarly exchange.
- Led a collaborative writing project that will lead to publication in prestigious academic journals as the first meta-study registered to study the effect of host phylogeny in the epidermal microbiome of elasmobranchs (In progress).
Undergraduate Student Intern
University of Alicante
11.2021 - 06.2022
- Initiated the development of a temporal comparison study in the coastal area of San Gabriel affected by a sewage discharge employing publicly available data and acquiring new samples, enhancing data analysis and fieldwork skills.
- Enhanced project efficiency by conducting thorough research and analysis for assigned tasks.
- Performed water and sediment sampling within the area of impact of the submarine outfall, improving SCUBA diving and boating skills.
- Prepared project presentations and reports directed toward experts and citizens improving communication and outreach skills.
Undergraduate Student Research Assistant
University of Alicante
11.2020 - 03.2022
- Participated in an ongoing seagrass ecosystem monitoring plan in areas affected by wastewater discharge from three different submarine outfalls on the Mediterranean coast.
- Performed thorough literature reviews, which were essential in providing context for ongoing studies.
- Gained expertise in various field techniques through hands-on experience collecting biological and environmental samples.
- Improved boating skills and utilized advanced oceanographic equipment such as CTD sensors, Niskin bottles, and plankton nets to obtain data.
- Worked both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced laboratory environment.
- Acquired excellent and multi-disciplinary laboratory work experience executing phenological studies of Posidonia oceanica, phytoplankton cell count by Neubauer method and inverted microscopic technique, infauna sampling from sediments and organism taxonomic identification.
- Managed lab inventory and maintained equipment, resulting in a well-organized and efficient work environment.
- Conducted experiments following established protocols, ensuring accuracy and consistency in data collection.
- Mentored junior research assistants and peers, providing guidance on best practices and techniques for successful experiments.
- Developed strong organizational skills by managing multiple tasks simultaneously while adhering to deadlines.
- Communicated effectively with faculty members regarding progress updates and potential issues, facilitating solutions.
- Supported annual report writing efforts by providing relevant data analysis results.
Student Laboratory Assistant
University Of Alicante
01.2019 - 04.2019
- Assisted in the preparation of lab materials for efficient execution of experiments and took responsibility for the inventory and maintenance of supplies through record-keeping using lists, resulting in an organized and safe environment.
- Enhanced laboratory safety by strictly adhering to protocols and guidelines during experiments.
- Provided support for microbiology Ph.D. student researchers by assisting in labor-intensive laboratory activities and helping out in different projects, gathering and sharing data and progress for the ongoing projects.
- Learned basic microbiology laboratory skills such as microorganism culturing techniques, preparing agar Petri dishes for culturing, DNA extraction, sequencing, and PCRs, gram stain, monitoring of bacterial cultures, and studying antibiotic resistance.
Education
Master of Professional Science in Marine Conservation - Marine Science
University of Miami
4600, Rickenbacker Cswy, Key Biscayne, FL 3314912.2023
Bachelor of Science in Marine Science and Biology - Marine Science
University of Alicante
Alicante, Spain06.2022
Skills
- Project Management and Conflict Resolution: improved these skills by collaborating on several scientific projects as a research assistant, assuming leadership when needed, and planning fieldwork trips adjusting to a schedule
- Critical Thinking, Decision making, and Attention to Detail: enhanced by participating in ongoing scientific projects and leading and developing undergraduate and graduate thesis projects
- Data Analysis and Interpretation: proficiency in R Studio, experience with GIS, Ocean Data View, Python, BioConda, and 2D and 3D data modeling and mapping with Golden Software (Surfer and Grapher extensions)
- Microsoft Office Proficiency
- Technical Scientific Writing and Lab Report Completion Procedures
- Multitasking and Time management
- Public Speaking, Communication Skills, and Emotional Intelligence
- Bilingual
Certification
- Advanced Open Water, PADI (2208EM3161)- Alicante, Spain, 01/2022 - 04/2022
- Scientific Diving, AAUS - Miami, Florida, 09/2023 - 12/2023
- Nitrox certification, TDI - Miami, Florida, 09/2023 - 12/2023
- First Aid & CPR (DANDAN-197) - Miami, Florida, 09/2023 - 12/2023
Personal Email
baertballucia@gmail.com
University Email
lbb80@miami.edu
Volunteer Experience
- Sustainability by the Sea and Fill a Bag, Miami, Florida: participated in multiple beach cleanups and events.
- Cruz Roja, Alicante, Spain: helped in the reforestation of an area on the Mediterranean coast after a fire.
- Greenpeace, Alicante, Spain: participated in beach clean-ups and education and outreach activities.
References
- Lydia Jeanne Baker, Ph.D., lydia.baker@earth.miami.edu, (808) 457-2177, Faculty, Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School, University of Miami
- Diego Lirman, Ph.D., dlirman@miami.edu, (305) 421-4168, Faculty, Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School, University of Miami
- Evan D’Alessandro, Ph.D., edalessandro@earth.miami.edu, (305) 421-4611, Senior Lecturer & MPS Program Director, Rosenstiel School, University of Miami
- Larry E. Brand, Ph.D., lbrand@miami.edu, Faculty, Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School, University of Miami
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Elementary
Timeline
Graduate Intern
University of Miami
05.2023 - 12.2023
Undergraduate Student Intern
University of Alicante
11.2021 - 06.2022
Undergraduate Student Research Assistant
University of Alicante
11.2020 - 03.2022
Student Laboratory Assistant
University Of Alicante
01.2019 - 04.2019
Master of Professional Science in Marine Conservation - Marine Science
University of Miami
Bachelor of Science in Marine Science and Biology - Marine Science
University of Alicante
- Advanced Open Water, PADI (2208EM3161)- Alicante, Spain, 01/2022 - 04/2022
- Scientific Diving, AAUS - Miami, Florida, 09/2023 - 12/2023
- Nitrox certification, TDI - Miami, Florida, 09/2023 - 12/2023
- First Aid & CPR (DANDAN-197) - Miami, Florida, 09/2023 - 12/2023
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