Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Additional Information - Activities
Related Experiences
References
Timeline
Generic

Marcus Simpson

Akron,Ohio

Summary

Dynamic early-career biologist with extensive experience at Summit Metro Parks, excelling in ecological restoration and community outreach. Proven data analysis and visualization ability, leading successful invasive species removal projects. Adept at collaborating with teams to enhance biodiversity and engage the community through educational programming and native plant festivals. Skilled biologist with background in both laboratory and field research. Experience includes conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and contributing to scientific papers. Possesses strong analytical skills, adept at problem-solving, and proficient in various research methodologies. Made significant contributions to projects aiming to understand ecological patterns and processes, resulting in actionable insights for conservation efforts.

Overview

3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Park Biologist

Summit Metro Parks
Akron, Ohio
05.2024 - 11.2024
  • Conducted aquatic, bat, herpetological, and biodiversity surveys; entered data into cloud-based ecological platforms.
  • Participated in riparian inspections and utility checks; monitored wetland control structures.
  • Assistance in native plant festivals (Community Engagement).
  • Led invasive species removal and reforestation projects; maintained native flora in nurseries.
  • Assisted with community outreach (native plant festivals, educational programming).

Park Technician

Summit Metro Parks
Akron, Ohio
05.2022 - 11.2023
  • Conducted landscaping and infrastructure projects, including stormwater rerouting and installation of armored swales.
  • Performed inspections and general facility maintenance; used herbicides/pesticides per safety protocols.
  • Light forestry.
  • Check public and conservation areas for storm damage.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Zoo & Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science

Malone University
Canton, OH
05.2025

Skills

  • Laboratory equipment operation
  • Analytical techniques
  • Data analysis and visualization
  • Ecological data management
  • Aseptic technique and sterilization
  • Ecological restoration
  • Field surveys
  • Data analysis
  • Community outreach
  • Biodiversity assessment
  • Animal handling
  • Animal evaluation
  • Environmental assessment
  • Sampling processes
  • Writing scientific papers
  • Team collaboration
  • Sample testing

Certification

  • National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series (NOAA) professional development certificate, 01/01/24, Coconut Palms, Seabirds, Coral Reefs and Sea Level Rise.
  • National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series (NOAA) professional development certificate, 02/01/24, Exploring Ocean Mysteries: From Dynamic Shores to the Deep Sea.
  • National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series (NOAA) professional development certificate, 08/01/24, Teaching Hope: Blue Carbon and Climate Change.
  • Trained service person, 05/01/24, Pesticide Spraying.

Additional Information - Activities

  • Former member of the Malone University men's baseball team.
  • Served as a member of the Zoological Organization of Malone (ZOOM).

Related Experiences

  • Restocked ponds and rivers with a variety of native fish around Summit County.
  • Conducted native bat surveys in ecological research related to white-nose syndrome (WNS) and its effects (SMP).
  • Completed water sampling at Portage Lakes to test for nitrogen & dissolved oxygen levels with peers from Malone University.
  • Completed vegetation sampling at Tam O'Shanter artificial wetland with peers from Malone University.
  • Conducted fish surveys to identify native and invasive fish populations throughout Summit County.
  • Conducted an aquatic invertebrate survey at Tam O'Shanter artificial wetland in ecological research with peers from Malone University.
  • Assisted in archaeological digs with Summit Metro Park archaeologists.
  • Proficient in Vortex software that runs ecological simulations for flora and fauna population viability (Malone University).
  • Basic ArcGIS proficiency (Malone University).
  • Utilized trail cameras to monitor white-tailed deer populations with peers from Malone University.
  • Proficient identification of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals of the eastern United States by sight and sound (SMP/Malone University).
  • Participated in an invasive plant species removal project with Stark Parks (Malone University).
  • Conducted surveys for native turtle populations by setting traps and creating data points in ArcGIS field mappers (SMP).
  • Herpetological inventory checks in conservation areas (SMP).
  • Apply glyphosate (Highly concentrated herbicide) to invasive flora to stop photosynthesis and seed deposits in Summit County.
  • Riparian inspections of Pond Brook River checking for water impediments, beaver activity, & storm damage (SMP).
  • Flora & Fauna identification in conservation areas, uploading observations into the department's iNaturalist cloud (SMP).
  • Monitoring seedling growth of native flora for Summit Metro Parks 'Wild Backyard' annual outreach event (SMP).
  • Plant propagation and personal botanical research for community engagement projects (SMP).
  • Assisted Portage County Parks biologist in 'bio blitz' a bipartisan biodiversity survey of Portage County Park conservation areas (SMP representative).
  • Completed monitoring of various groves in Summit County by observing and collecting data on the current health of trees within the groves (SMP).
  • Monitored current conditions of water control boxes that drain and flood wetlands throughout Summit Metroparks (SMP).
  • Assisted in invasive species removal projects with peers from Summit Metroparks.
  • Kayaking experience (Weekly for 7 months @ SMP).
  • Assisted in a collaborative fish study/survey with Cuyahoga Valley National Park and The Ohio State Museum of Biological Diversity, using methods including boat shocking (Netting off bow of boat) and fish seining (SMP).
  • Assisted in forest health surveys with fellow Summit Metropark biologists to collect ecological data on deciduous forests in Summit County (SMP).
  • Sample Analysis & Water Testing: Conducted quantitative analysis for total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrification, alkalinity, and water hardness.
  • Chemical Methods: Applied Mohr Method for Cl⁻, COD analysis, and Kjeldahl protein techniques.
  • Partitioning Studies: Determined octanol-water partition coefficients relevant to contaminant behavior.
  • Data Handling: Applied statistical treatment to experimental results and maintained accurate records.

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Park Biologist

Summit Metro Parks
05.2024 - 11.2024

Park Technician

Summit Metro Parks
05.2022 - 11.2023

Bachelor of Arts - Zoo & Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science

Malone University