Omar Torres
Ellensburg,WA
Summary
Incorporate traditional ecological knowledge with scientific research to develop innovative tools to restore freshwater ecosystems. Additionally, working to ensure the continued success of native aquatic species in their respective habitats and helping minimize the impact of invasive species.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
WSDOT Research Lead
Central Washington University Biological Science
05.2023 - Current
- Safely captured and processed different species of fish for population estimates using Electrofisher
- Safely captured and tagged different species of trout using both PIT tags and VIE tags
- Conducted and supervised evening underwater snorkel surveys
- Collected aquatic invertebrates for laboratory analysis
- Helped identify aquatic invertebrate samples
- Assisted in amphibian and reptile surveys for other field crews
- Assisted in hosting public events on behave of theUniversity and Washington State Department of Transportation ( KEEN- Get Intimate with Shrub Steppe public event, I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Wildlife monitoring project update for University Board of Trusties)
- Adhered to laboratory safety procedures to maintain compliance with quality control standards.
- Trained and supervised junior technicians in field and laboratory protocols.
- Provided support and guidance to junior lab staff.
- Cooperated with other technicians to develop and test new protocols.
- Developed new protocols and improved existing laboratory processes.
- Troubleshot and resolved equipment and process issues.
- Helped rescue fish during WSDOT Teanaway river diversion project
Program Scholar
Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program UCSC
06.2019 - 08.2023
- Eight-week field research experience exploring ecosystems of California including tidal reefs, streams, and deep forests
- Worked collaboratively with 20 students from around the country in field research
- Attended workshops on diversity, inclusion, and conflict resolution in a professional field and laboratory setting.
- Attended in-person professional development and diversity inclusion workshops
- Attended field trips with peers to study topics outside the classroom
- Worked in a team environment to maintain high levels of productivity
Teaching Assistant
Central Washington University Biological Sciences
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Helped with grading assignments and tests, providing constructive feedback to students based on results.
- Assisted teachers with classroom management and document coordination to maintain positive learning environment.
- Supported classroom activities, tutoring, and reviewing work.
- Assisted in maintaining engaging and respectful educational environment by promoting discipline and cooperation.
- Prepared all materials for Laboratory class sessions
- Ensured all students were able to comfortably and safely complete laboratory procedures to complete assignments
- Provided transportation for student field trips using a 12 passenger van
- Collected field samples for student projects
Field Technician
Freshwater Life
06.2021 - 09.2021
- Surveyed several different streams for invasive fish in alpine lake basins using Electrofishing backpack for irradiation
- Safely used personal raft to remove, replace and set gillnets across different lakes
- Backpacked 15+ miles to remote locations
- Extensive experience using handheld Garmin in-reach GPS device to safely travel across backcountry and communicate with supervisor
- Maintained solar panels to ensure effective Electrofisher sampling
- Effectively identified and collected length measurements for fish captured in surveys
- Communicated with supervisor to report progress, discuss issues, and seek guidance.
- Helped write reports for the National Park Service for assigned basins
- Collaborated with other field technicians to resolve complex technical issues.
- Spoke to community members to effectively communicate the nature of the work being performed
Chapter President
Omega Delta Phi Fraternity Inc, Beta Xi Chapter, Heritage University
09.2020 - 09.2021
- Help organize and advertise an all-day community service event to serve 600 community members
- Represent the organization at Student Government Association meetings and any national organization affairs
- Attend and facilitate more than 15 community service events both on and off-campus each year totaling at least 50 hours of service time.
- Strengthened community involvement by developing and implementing new charitable plans
- Created and managed committees to effectively handle different aspects of organization's business
Laboratory Technician
Heritage University
03.2020 - 03.2021
- Prepared and organized chemical solutions
- Prepared and stored media culture
- Assisted professors during laboratory sessions
- Performed routine lab and department maintenance to keep area clean and orderly
- Documented information by maintaining daily logs and equipment record books
- Performed testing and quality control using approved laboratory procedures and instrumentation
- Kept laboratory supplies prepared by inventorying stock, placing orders and verifying receipt
- Operated basic laboratory equipment such as balances, pH meter, colorimeter, spectrophotometer, autoclave and evaporator
- Cleaned and sterilized tools and equipment to maximize purity of specimens
- Registered and prepared samples for general analytical testing through data entry, weighing and physical homogenization
Agriculture Summer Research Intern
Heritage University
05.2020 - 08.2020
- Thoroughly cleaned and organized data sets using both Program R and Excel
- Used various soil and fruit quality assessment techniques for data collection
- Collected and analyzed data in apple orchards (following social distancing guidelines)
- Attended meetings and presentations to learn project details
- Visualized research findings through data tables, graphs and presentations
- Obtained informed consent of research subjects or guardians
- Assisted with preparing project-related reports, presentations and manuscripts
- Utilized job-related software to perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis of data
- Coded data in preparation for computer entry
- Recorded and analyzed data to produce reports of results
Lead Mentor
EPA Nextgennss Wood Smoke Project
04.2018 - 06.2020
- Supervise and train undergraduate mentors to guide high school students in a community-based air quality research project.
- Support three students to present research results at the National Council for Science and the Environment EnvironMentors National Conference.
- Worked closely with Univerity of Washington Graduate students and professors to create and edit curriculum for students
- Co-authored an article regarding experience and results from presented curriculum
- Participated in podcast and radio interviews regarding community involvement in air-based quality projects
Education
Master of Science - Biology
Central Washington University
Ellensburg10.2023
B. S - Environmental Science, Biology
Heritage University
Toppenish, WA05.2021
Skills
- Bilingual - Spanish, English
- Soil sampling
- Plant sampling/Identification
- Small mammal trapping/Handling
- Gillnetting experience
- Necropsy
- Nutrient sampling
- Media preparation
- Basic General/Organic Chemistry Techniques
- JMP
- GIS
- Program R
- DataClassroom U
- Electrofishing
- Freshwater fish Identification
- VIE tagging
- Snorkeling fish survey experience
- Aquatic invertebrate collection
- Aquatic invertebrate identification
- PIT Tagging experience
- Amphibian and Reptile collection experience
- Invasive fish eradication experience
- Experience driving 4x4 field vehicle
- Experience driving 12 passenger van
Certification
NOLS Wilderness first aid certified CPR certified
Affiliations
- I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Wildlife monitoring project
- Doris Duke Conservation Scholars program (UCSC, 2019)
- Omega Delta Phi Fraternity inc. (Beta Xi Chapter)
- WSDOT
- Environmentors project (Eastern Washington chapter)
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
WSDOT Research Lead
Central Washington University Biological Science
05.2023 - Current
Teaching Assistant
Central Washington University Biological Sciences
09.2021 - 05.2022
Field Technician
Freshwater Life
06.2021 - 09.2021
Chapter President
Omega Delta Phi Fraternity Inc, Beta Xi Chapter, Heritage University
09.2020 - 09.2021
Agriculture Summer Research Intern
Heritage University
05.2020 - 08.2020
Laboratory Technician
Heritage University
03.2020 - 03.2021
Program Scholar
Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program UCSC
06.2019 - 08.2023
Lead Mentor
EPA Nextgennss Wood Smoke Project
04.2018 - 06.2020
Master of Science - Biology
Central Washington University
B. S - Environmental Science, Biology
Heritage University
NOLS Wilderness first aid certified CPR certified
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