Sierra Sky Cotrona
Fort Bliss,TX
Summary
Accomplished in laboratory and classroom settings, I've leveraged skills in teaching, course development and laboratory management to enhance education of anthropology students at Kansas State University. With my background at KSU and at University of Alaska Fairbanks, I excel in blending analytical standards in biological anthropology with dynamic teaching methods.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Infant Nanny
Self Employed Services
09.2022 - Current
- Assisted parents in establishing and maintaining routines for the infant, including feeding, bathing, and bedtime.
- Maintained a safe environment by following all safety protocols set by parents or guardians.
- Tended to children's general needs while providing supervision for safety in day-to-day activities.
- Developed lasting, professional relationships with families by encouraging open communication and delivering positive feedback.
Laboratory Manager
Kansas State University
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Managed and maintained laboratory equipment, including calibrations, repairs, and preventative maintenance, and skeletal teaching samples.
- Maintained records of all test methods used in the laboratory environment, and documented changes or modifications in lab environment.
- Ensured students showed respectful and responsible conduct with laboratory materials, and assisted students with human remains identification and assessment.
- Ensured that all regulatory standards were met during laboratory operations.
Instructor
Kansas State University
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Developed and implemented lesson plans to instruct students on the principles of Biological Anthropology, Forensic Anthropology, and Co-evolution of Humans and Pathogens courses.
- Provided feedback on student assignments such as essays, research papers or lab reports.
- Assessed student progress through tests and quizzes in order to evaluate understanding of course material.
- Included a multidisciplinary approach to biological anthropology, bringing in lessons in ethnography, genetics, and history to approach questions in the field.
Laboratory Assistant
University of Alaska Fairbanks
08.2019 - 05.2022
- Organized and maintained documentation for human and nonhuman skeletal remains that came through or remained in the lab room.
- Participated in analysis of active forensic anthropology casework, and carefully documented and reported findings to lab director.
- Analyzed skeletal and dental samples, and tested results using statistical methods and software programs.
- Documented experimental procedures accurately in logbooks or electronic databases.
Graduate Assistant
University of Alaska Fairbanks
08.2019 - 05.2022
- Assisted in the development of undergraduate-level course materials, such as syllabi, lesson plans, and assignments for six semesters.
- Served as a liaison between faculty and university administrators for various student-related issues.
- Provided guidance and assistance to students regarding academic policies and procedures.
- Developed strategies to enhance student engagement within the classroom setting, especially through laboratory periods.
Intern/Student Volunteer
Engaged Cornell
06.2018 - 08.2018
- Worked on mummy and artifact restoration for preservation of cultural heritage of small community.
- Participated in outreach by attending local community meetings regarding public display and continued preservation of mummies and artifacts.
- Collected, compiled, and analyzed bioarcheological data of skeletons excavated on site.
- Collaborated with team members to discuss implications of collected data in ethnohistorical and geographical contexts.
Intern
Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office
06.2017 - 08.2017
- Assisted forensic anthropologist in bone preparation and skeletal analysis of forensic cases.
- Assisted law enforcement in search and recovery of missing persons case.
- Complied with laboratory safety standards, including proper use of PPE.
- Maintained confidentiality of records and findings, including decedent’s identity and details of their cases.
Education
Ph. D. - Department of Anthropology
University of Alaska
Fairbanks11.2024
M. Re. - Centre for Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology
Wrexham Glyndwr University & Cyprus Institute of Sciences and Humanities
12.2020
M. S. - Department of Anthropology
Binghamton University (SUNY)
12.2018
B. A. - Departments of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Anthropology
University of Rochester
12.2016
Skills
- Museum Collections Management
- Statistics (R)
- Research and Ethics in Anthropology
- Excavation of Human Remains
- Mummy Conservation
- Palaeopathology
- Academic Writing
- Laboratory Management
- Human Skeletal and Dental Analysis
- Biological Distance Analysis
- Research and Records Analysis
References
Dr. Jessica Falcone: Departmental liaison during my time at Kansas State University as an instructor of biological anthropology
jfalcone@ksu.edu
Dr. Megan Moore: Supervisor during forensic anthropology internship at Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office
mmoore86@emich.edu
Major Renee Kane: Employer for which I provided nannying and babysitting services
renee.e.kane.mil@army.mil
Timeline
Laboratory Manager
Kansas State University
08.2023 - 05.2024
Instructor
Kansas State University
08.2023 - 05.2024
Infant Nanny
Self Employed Services
09.2022 - Current
Laboratory Assistant
University of Alaska Fairbanks
08.2019 - 05.2022
Graduate Assistant
University of Alaska Fairbanks
08.2019 - 05.2022
Intern/Student Volunteer
Engaged Cornell
06.2018 - 08.2018
Intern
Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office
06.2017 - 08.2017
Ph. D. - Department of Anthropology
University of Alaska
M. Re. - Centre for Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology
Wrexham Glyndwr University & Cyprus Institute of Sciences and Humanities
M. S. - Department of Anthropology
Binghamton University (SUNY)
B. A. - Departments of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Anthropology
University of Rochester
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