Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
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Taylor Graves

Taylor Graves

Neosho,MO

Summary

A Marine Biologist-in training with field, lab, and aquarium experience in various locations. Committed to implementing conservation practices and adhering to regulations to protect endangered areas. Skilled in research and reporting and considered a valuable team asset. Successful Writing Tutor recognized for excellence in helping students achieve writing goals and develop confidence. Adept at helping students with compositions and science writing projects. Dependable and hardworking. Looking for a job in marine biology and marine conservation to utilize my degree and what I have learned to positively impact the environment.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Cashier and Waitress

Thai Time Express
06.2018 - Current
  • Maintained knowledge of the current menu items and prices, and recommended dishes to customers.
  • Helped customers complete purchases.
  • Helped customers with food allergies and other dietary requirements.
  • Addressed customer needs and assisted with refunds and other transaction issues.
  • Mentored new employees on cashier and waitress duties, improving overall staff performance.
  • Built relationships with customers to encourage repeat business.
  • Worked flexible schedule and extra shifts to meet business needs.
  • Collaborated with team members to achieve restaurant targets and maintain a clean and welcoming environment.
  • Handled cash with high accuracy and took care to check bills for fraud.
  • Managed inventory levels effectively, reducing stock shortages and minimizing wastage.

Biodiversity Lab Assistant

Central Methodist University
01.2022 - 05.2023
  • Inspected laboratory equipment to maintain good working condition for optimal results.
  • Helped students identify their specimens and record them accordingly.
  • Helped students set up their equipment and conduct accurate observations.
  • Graded lab reports and gave constructive feedback to students to further their understanding of the specimens and the procedures to observe them.
  • Helped students identify biological specimens in the wild and record them accurately.
  • Helped students with their understanding of the selected ecosystem and its inhabitants.

Life Sciences and Chemistry Intern

Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
05.2022 - 07.2022
  • Provided assistance to fellow interns, fostering a collaborative learning environment that facilitated skill growth among team members.
  • Increased laboratory productivity by implementing efficient workflows for routine tasks such as sample analysis, equipment calibration, and reagent preparation.
  • Carried out laboratory tests and experiments to analyze, identify and isolate chemical compounds.
  • Streamlined sample preparation processes, reducing time spent on repetitive tasks.
  • Observed necropsies on deceased aquarium animals in the veterinarian clinic.
  • Prepared food and fed several aquarium animals including the sharks and the octopus.
  • Led fellow interns and educated them on routine procedures and protocols in the aquarium.
  • Gave several presentations to marine biologists, fellow interns, aquarium staff, and aquarium guests on the shark fin trade, shark conservation, and ocean conservation.
  • Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
  • Helped prepare the aquarium for the AZA inspection, after which the certification was earned.

Writing Tutor

Central Methodist University
08.2021 - 05.2022
  • Established trust with students by creating a welcoming atmosphere that values mutual respect, patience, and empathy during all interactions.
  • Improved overall readability of papers through careful revision focusing on clarity of expression combined with compelling language choices.
  • Utilized creative teaching methods to engage diverse learners effectively and accommodate different learning preferences.
  • Assisted students in understanding complex grammatical rules and proper sentence structure for clearer communication.
  • Enabled underachieving students to reach target attainment levels by providing individualized coaching and activities.
  • Enhanced student writing skills by providing individualized feedback and guidance on essays and assignments.
  • Provided constructive criticism while maintaining a supportive environment to foster growth in students' writing abilities.
  • Enabled non-native English speakers to overcome linguistic barriers by offering tailored instruction on grammar principles and vocabulary acquisition.
  • Monitored student progress and provided feedback and support.
  • Reviewed and edited student work to ensure clear, concise, and error-free content.
  • Supported students in development of critical thinking skills and perseverance to persist with challenging tasks.

Life Sciences Intern

Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
06.2021 - 08.2021
  • Collected, arranged, and input information into database system.
  • Shadowed the lead shark biologist in the maintenance of the sharks and other tank inhabitants.
  • Prepared food and fed the animals in various different saltwater tanks.
  • Cleaned tanks by scrubbing the glass, carefully removing cyanobacteria from corals, and using a gravelVAC.
  • Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
  • Helped develop a mechanism to capture a sandbar shark and a sand tiger shark for the veterinarian.
  • Gave several presentations to marine biologists, other aquarium staff, and aquarium guests about the shark fin trade and shark conservation.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology And Sustainable Aquaculture

Unity Environmental University
New Gloucester, ME
05.2025

Skills

  • Service Minded
  • Team Leadership
  • Training and mentoring
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Cash register systems
  • Professionalism and Courtesy
  • Scientific Writing
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Data logging
  • Animal Dissection
  • Specimen Collection
  • Report Preparation
  • Photography
  • Collaborative Teamwork
  • Report Writing
  • Encouraging and Motivating Students
  • Writing assessments
  • Group and individual instruction
  • Organization and Planning Skills
  • Writing process knowledge
  • Persuasive Writing
  • Marine Conservation Strategies
  • Wildlife research
  • Scuba Diving Certification
  • Marine Ecosystem Knowledge
  • Species identification
  • Field Research Techniques
  • Environmental concerns

Accomplishments

  • Went on wildlife expeditions to Tiger Beach, Guadalupe, Bimini Bahamas to observe tiger sharks, great white sharks, nurse sharks, caribbean reef sharks, lemon sharks, great hammerhead sharks, and bull sharks.
  • Went on a wildlife expedition to Churchill, Canada to observe polar bears and beluga whales.
  • Went on a wildlife expedition to Andenes, Norway to observe bull sperm whales.
  • Used Microsoft Excel to evaluate the climate change in my local area.
  • Helped fellow marine biology student collect data for an eDNA project.
  • Gave shark conservation presentations to Martin Luther School, College Heights Christian School, Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School, twice at Central Methodist University to science faculty and students, the City of Fayette rotary members, and Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium five times, which was named America's best aquarium for 5 years and became AZA accredited.
  • Taught an ecology lecture at the University of Missouri.
  • Created Instagram and Facebook pages called "No MO Shark Fins" to raise awareness about the shark fin trade in Missouri. Used this platform to help kids and adults attending my presentations to write letters to legislators urging them to stop the shark fin trade in Missouri.
  • Created Facebook and Instagram pages called "Sharkchic Photography" to showcase the beauty of the natural world and wildlife, specifically sharks. Also used this platform for my presentations.
  • Currently the president of Ocean Predator Images, a conservation group promoting conservation by showcasing the beauty and intricacy of nature through photography and videography. Website currently in progress.
  • Won volunteer of the month for June 2021 by Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium.
  • Won the life science volunteer of the year award by Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium and Johnny Morris (the founder of Bass Pro and Wonders of Wildlife)


Certification

Open water scuba certified through SSI.

Timeline

Life Sciences and Chemistry Intern

Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
05.2022 - 07.2022

Biodiversity Lab Assistant

Central Methodist University
01.2022 - 05.2023

Writing Tutor

Central Methodist University
08.2021 - 05.2022

Life Sciences Intern

Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
06.2021 - 08.2021

Cashier and Waitress

Thai Time Express
06.2018 - Current

Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology And Sustainable Aquaculture

Unity Environmental University

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Taylor Graves