Matthew Spetka
Kimberley,BC
Summary
Dedicated Biologist with extensive experience in conducting research, analyzing data, and contributing to scientific knowledge. Proficient in utilizing advanced analytical techniques, fieldwork methodologies, and data analysis software.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Aquatic Biologist
Lotic Environmental Limited
Cranbrook, BC
02.2023 - Current
- Planned and conducted field research to collect data on the population dynamics of westslope cutthroat trout (Onchorhynchus clarkii lewisi).
- Monitored populations of westslope cutthroat trout through PIT tag tracking systems.
- Prepared technical reports summarizing findings from field data collection and PIT detections.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
OTTAWA, CANADA
11.2021 - Current
- Analyze and assess scientific literature for eligibility to be included in systematic reviews for various projects focusing on wetland restoration, North American protected areas, and rare plant detection.
VOLUNTEER FIELD TECHNICIAN
FISH ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY LAB
OTTAWA, CANADA
04.2021 - 07.2021
- Supported all aspects of a large-scale acoustic telemetry project in the Rideau Canal to track invasive and native fish movements and evaluate overall ecological connectivity in the system
- Tasks included: servicing, deploying, and retrieving (via free diving) acoustic receivers; assisting in surgical implantation of acoustic tags; fish capture (via electrofishing and angling), handling, and measuring.
LAB MANAGER
GEOSPATIAL ANALYTICS LAB
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA
07.2018 - 05.2020
- Managed spatial data and geodatabases for workshops and USF courses
- Coordinated conferences, projects, and workshops for students, stakeholders, and local geospatial project managers.
RESEARCH AND TEACHING ASSISTANT
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA
07.2018 - 05.2020
- Spatially and statistically modeled suitable habitat using environmental variables to create maps of usage by economically and ecologically important fish species on the west Florida shelf
- Facilitated outreach projects to educate stakeholders about conservation applications of geospatial science
- Taught undergraduate GIS workshops and USF courses.
BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA
05.2016 - 07.2018
- Inshore and offshore principal investigator tasked with collecting data on recreationally important and imperiled sportfish species for a fisheries monitoring database spanning the past 20+ years
- Used various field methods such as hook-and-line angling, trawling, and seine netting to evaluate species richness and abundance
- Lab duties included: microscopy; specimen organization; video analysis; data entry; maintenance of field equipment including motorized vessels, trailers, tow-vehicles, and underwater cameras.
RESEARCH TECHNICIAN
ECKERD COLLEGE
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA
03.2015 - 05.2016
- Conducted gillnet surveys in Florida Gulf Coast estuaries to collect DNA samples of bonnethead sharks
- Samples were used to determine potential genetically distinct bonnethead shark populations.
OCEANS RESEARCH INTERN
OCEANS RESEARCH CAMPUS
MOSSEL BAY, SOUTH AFRICA
07.2015 - 08.2015
- Captured photos of white shark dorsal fins used to identify individuals based on fin morphology
- Database of photos used to evaluate movement patterns between key habitats
- Analyzed underwater video (100+ hours) of benthic habitat to determine catshark species presence and associated community structure.
Education
Master of Science - Environmental Science and Policy
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA (USF)
Bachelor of Science - Marine Science
ECKERD COLLEGE
Study Abroad
JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY
Townsville, QLD, AUSCertification
- Advanced ArcGIS | USF
- Advanced Water Resources ArcGIS | USF
- Environmental Applications of ArcGIS | USF
- Human Terrain Applications of ArcGIS | USF
- Ecopath with Ecosim | USF
- Geographic Information System (GIS) Applications of Google Earth | USF
- Captain's License, O.U.P.V. | United States Coast Guard
- CPR, First Aid, AED (American Red Cross)
- Advanced Open Water Scuba | SSI
- Rescue Scuba Diver | PADI
Presentations
- Using habitat characterization methods in GIS to determine impacts of extreme weather events on estuarine fish habitat, Florida Society of Geographers, Gainesville, Florida, USA, 02/2020, OP (awarded best graduate presentation)
- Fish Habitat Modeling: A Comparative Study, The 149th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society with The Wildlife Society, Reno, Nevada, USA, 09/2019, OP
- A comparison of two GIS-based habitat characterization methods for juvenile gag (Mycteroperca microlepis): habitat suitability model vs ecological niche factor analysis, American Association of Geographers, Washington, DC, USA, 04/2019, PP
- A comparative analysis of hurricane impacts on species abundance using HSM and ENFA, Florida Society of Geographers, Orlando, Florida, USA, 02/2019, PP
Publications
- How temporary conserved areas can support biodiversity conservation in North America: A review, Conservation Biology, In prep, Wen X, Bennett JR, Rytwinski T, Karimi S, Spetka MM, Taylor JJ, Smith PA
- Identifying drivers of wetland restoration success in temperate North America, Trends in Ecology & Evolution, In prep, Robichaud C, Spetka MM, Rytwinski, Cooke S, Schuster R, Bennett JR
- Direct remote sensing, eDNA and community science for rare plant detection, an evidence synthesis, In prep, Hernandez Martinez De La Riva A, Spetka MM, Taylor JJ, Rytwinski T, Bennett JR
References
- Brett Pittinger, Research Associate, Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Brett.Pittinger@myfwc.com, +1 (727) 502-4829
- Dr. Joseph Bennett, Professor, Carleton University, Joseph.Bennett@carleton.ca, +1 (613) 520-2600 x3124
Technical Reports
Add
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Aquatic Biologist
Lotic Environmental Limited
02.2023 - Current
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
11.2021 - Current
VOLUNTEER FIELD TECHNICIAN
FISH ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY LAB
04.2021 - 07.2021
LAB MANAGER
GEOSPATIAL ANALYTICS LAB
07.2018 - 05.2020
RESEARCH AND TEACHING ASSISTANT
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
07.2018 - 05.2020
BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
05.2016 - 07.2018
OCEANS RESEARCH INTERN
OCEANS RESEARCH CAMPUS
07.2015 - 08.2015
RESEARCH TECHNICIAN
ECKERD COLLEGE
03.2015 - 05.2016
Master of Science - Environmental Science and Policy
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA (USF)
Bachelor of Science - Marine Science
ECKERD COLLEGE
Study Abroad
JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY
- Advanced ArcGIS | USF
- Advanced Water Resources ArcGIS | USF
- Environmental Applications of ArcGIS | USF
- Human Terrain Applications of ArcGIS | USF
- Ecopath with Ecosim | USF
- Geographic Information System (GIS) Applications of Google Earth | USF
- Captain's License, O.U.P.V. | United States Coast Guard
- CPR, First Aid, AED (American Red Cross)
- Advanced Open Water Scuba | SSI
- Rescue Scuba Diver | PADI
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