Ysabel A. Sierra
Santa Cruz,CA
Summary
Marine Biology undergraduate and researcher with experience in marine mammal physiology, field data collection, and ecological restoration. Skilled in quantitative and qualitative research, data analysis, and scientific writing and communication.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Student Researcher
Building Belonging Fellowship
06.2025 - Current
- UCSC Norris Center as a Student Researcher - Working under Gizelle Hurtado doing field data collection, scientific literature reviews, data analysis, presenting research, and providing recommendations on the research project.
Assistant Trainer
Marine Mammal Physiology Project
02.2022 - Current
- Basic animal care, Senior animal care, and Assistant Trainer - facilitated in animal husbandry, medical procedures, daily medical checks, data collection, diet prep and training on site marine mammals and birds.
Research Intern
CAMINO Intern
06.2024 - 11.2024
- Research internship under Gizelle Hurtado at the UCSC Norris Center in the Behavior Ethology lab, studying mammal behavior as it relates to urbanization.
Intern
CIDER Drone Pilot Training Program
01.2024 - 06.2024
- 16 Week program, where the first eight weeks consisted of learning how to prepare for our FAA 107 pilot’s exam and the last eight weeks spent conducting a research project using drones for data collection and QGIS for data analysis and model building
Habitat Restoration Intern, SCARR Team Member, Student Employee
Younger Lagoon Reserve
01.2022 - 06.2024
- Worked in habitat restoration, data entry, guided tours, data collection, species ID of small mammal, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and native plants species.
Exhibit Ambassador
Butterfly Pavilion
10.2019 - 09.2021
- Exhibit ambassador who educated visitors in an interactive and fun way about our invertebrate’s behavior, anatomy, their relationship with humans and the ecosystems they inhabit, and the role they play in their ecosystems biodiversity.
Animal Care Volunteer
Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary
03.2019 - 09.2021
- Restoring habitat on the property, aided in fundraising and awareness events, cleaned and maintained residents’ homes, learned how to care for them, and learned their behavior while forming relationships with them.
Sales Associate/Cashier
Tilly’s
07.2020 - 03.2021
Education
High School -
Holy Family High School
Broomfield, Colorado01.2019
High School - undefined
Erie High School
Erie, Colorado01.2021
Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology
University of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California06-2025
Skills
- Microsoft Word
- Excel
- JMP
- Powerpoint
- Google Sheets, Docs
- Quantitative research
- Data collection
- Dataset analysis
- Scientific methodology
- Academic writing
- Qualitative research
- Ethical considerations
- Literature review
Certification
- Colorado License
- Remote Pilot License
- CPR Certification
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Relevant Coursework
- Intro to Field Research - 2 units
- ENVS Stu Internship - 2 units
- Animal Physiology and Lab - 7 units
- Ichthyology Lab - 2 units
- BIOE 159 - Sitka Field Quarter - 20 units
- Marine Botany and Lab - 7 units
Timeline
Student Researcher
Building Belonging Fellowship
06.2025 - Current
Research Intern
CAMINO Intern
06.2024 - 11.2024
Intern
CIDER Drone Pilot Training Program
01.2024 - 06.2024
Assistant Trainer
Marine Mammal Physiology Project
02.2022 - Current
Habitat Restoration Intern, SCARR Team Member, Student Employee
Younger Lagoon Reserve
01.2022 - 06.2024
Sales Associate/Cashier
Tilly’s
07.2020 - 03.2021
Exhibit Ambassador
Butterfly Pavilion
10.2019 - 09.2021
Animal Care Volunteer
Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary
03.2019 - 09.2021
High School - undefined
Erie High School
High School -
Holy Family High School
Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology
University of California Santa Cruz