Rachel Ottino
Panacea
Summary
Passionate marine biologist with extensive field and laboratory experience in conservation, research, and ecosystem monitoring. Skilled in data collection, species assessments, and public outreach. Adept at working in dynamic environments, from research vessels to aquariums. Strong communicator with a talent for engaging audiences of all ages. Dedicated to marine conservation with a focus on coral reef ecology, marine vertebrates, and kelp forest ecosystems. Committed to lifelong learning and protecting marine environments.
Overview
1
1
year of professional experience
Work History
AmeriCorps Environmental Steward
Gulf Specimen Marine Lab
09.2024 - 07.2025
- Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation: Rescue injured and sick sea turtles, administer medical treatments, monitor recovery, and coordinate successful releases back into the wild.
- Aquarium Husbandry & Animal Care: Manage the setup, cleaning, and ongoing maintenance of multiple marine exhibits. Perform daily feeding and care of marine species, ensuring their health and well-being. Develop and implement enrichment activities for a blind loggerhead sea turtle resident to support its mental and physical stimulation.
- Marine Specimen Collection & Diving: Participate in specimen collection via boat and scuba diving, acquiring marine species from the Gulf of Mexico for educational and research purposes. Accurately record data on collected species and submit trip tickets to ensure proper documentation.
- Water Quality & System Management: Possess strong knowledge of monitoring and adjusting water quality parameters in aquarium systems. Understand the maintenance and operation of filtration and backwash systems.
- Educational Outreach: Lead interactive and educational tours for school groups and the public, sharing knowledge about local marine ecosystems, organisms, fouling communities, and the role of saltwater marshes in coastal environments. Participate in community outreach events to raise awareness about marine conservation.
Biology Assistant
Oregon Department Of Fish And Wildlife
04.2024 - 06.2024
- Assist in data collection for a fisheries hook and line monitoring project within marine reserves and comparison areas.
- Record detailed fish data, including species identification, length measurements, abnormalities, and signs of barotrauma.
- Document fishing data, such as lost time, oceanographic conditions, location, and depth, ensuring precise record-keeping for scientific analysis.
- Aid in the safe handling and release of fish, deploying the SeaQualizer to assist in barotrauma recovery by returning affected fish to appropriate depths.
- Work aboard chartered fishing vessels in rough sea conditions, adapting to variable weather and maintaining accuracy in data collection despite challenging environments.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR06-2024
Bachelor of Arts - Spanish
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR06-2024
Skills
- Software: Proficient in R, Python, and Microsoft Office Suite
- Standard biology and chemistry laboratory techniques
- Scuba Diving, PADI: Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Deep Diving, Nitrox, And Rescue Certification
- Native English Speaker with an Advanced level of Spanish
- Aquarium Maintenance and aquatic animal husbandry
- Florida Boating Safety: Hands-on experience working on boats in marine research and specimen collection
- First Aid/CPR
Research
Research Volunteer
Lubchenco-Menge Laboratory. Corvallis, OR | 01/2020 - 06/2024
- Mussel fecundity: Process and dissect mussel gonad/somatic tissue to collect long term mussel fecundity data
- Annual Colonization Experiment (ACE): Sort through yearly intertidal biomass to help quantify the strength of facilitation, competition, and predation of barnacles, mussels, other inverts, and algae that have accumulated over the year
- Sea star gonad assessment: Dissect Pisaster sea star arms to assess reproductive status
- Large Predator photoanalysis: Use photoquad software to identify intertidal invertebrate and algae species to quantify % cover at coarse levels
- Field work at various data collection site along the Oregon Coast: monitoring mussel bed disturbances and swapping temperature loggers
Timeline
AmeriCorps Environmental Steward
Gulf Specimen Marine Lab
09.2024 - 07.2025
Biology Assistant
Oregon Department Of Fish And Wildlife
04.2024 - 06.2024
Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology
Oregon State University
Bachelor of Arts - Spanish
Oregon State University
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