EDUCATION
Master of Science: Biology (Environment and Sustainability)
Jan 2012 – Apr 2014
University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario Canada
Honours Bachelor of Science: Environmental Studies (Biology)
Sep 2006 -Apr 2011
Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
SUMMARY OF SKILLS
• Demonstrated proficiency at learning plant and wildlife identification in various ecosystems (e.g. Sonoran Desert, sub arctic tundra, Carolinian zone)
• Experience working in various weather conditions (e.g. extreme heat and humidity, extreme wind, rain, peak of black fly season)
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point, familiar with ArcGIS, QGIS and R
• Proficient with hand held GPS units and compasses
• Standard First Aid and CPR C
• Valid class “G” driver’s license
• Pesticide Certification: Forestry Exterminator License
RELEVANT EXPERIENCES
Coordinator, Conservation Biology, Happy Valley Forest, Nature Conservancy of Canada
Apr 2017 – present
• Plan and implement stewardship activities to protect the ecological health of nature reserves
• Write and update property management plans
• Liaise with landowners, volunteers, partner groups to build relationships and coordinate stewardship efforts
• Conduct outreach and lead public hikes, and conservation volunteer events
• Annually monitor conservation easements
Conservation Assistant, Ontario Nature
Oct 2016 – Apr 2017
• Assist with writing property management plans
• Assist with grant writing and outreach events
• Assist with data analysis for atlas publication
Conservation Technician, Nature Conservancy of Canada
May 2016 – Aug 2016
• Manage invasive species using herbicides and manual techniques
• Monitor trails, species at risk and nature reserves
• Prepare and lead public guided hikes
Stewardship Coordinator, Long Point Basin Land Trust
May 2015 – Apr 2016
• Collect reptile sighting reports, monitor reptile habitat structures, coordinate volunteers, provide landowner support for reptile conservation, build snake nesting boxes
• Create and present outreach materials, including social media, press releases, e-news letters, presentations, and advertising
• Plan and organize land trust events, including approaching experts and advertising for events
Badger Field Technician, Ontario Badger Project
May 2014 – Nov 2014
• Used radio telemetry to track endangered American badgers in southern Ontario
• Frequently approached landowners to gain permission to access to their property
Masters Project, University of Western Ontario
Jan 2012 – Apr 2014
Advisor: Dr. Nusha Keyghobadi
• Investigated the flight behaviour of the swallowtail butterflies in a fragmented landscape
• Developed project management skills by coordinating field season, volunteers, data collection and analysis
• Further developed writing skills by writing proposals, permit applications, successful scholarship applications, and thesis
• Communicated research by presenting at various conferences, seminars, and local groups
Teaching Assistant, University of Western Ontario
Jan 2012 – Apr 2014
• Lead labs and tutorials for various ecology and evolution courses, mark assignments, provide support for students
Tree Planter, Outland
May 2011 – Jun 2011
• Planted trees over 50 000 trees in all weather conditions in northern Ontario
• Required daily physical labour, heavy lifting and endurance to work for 8-10 hours a day
Undergraduate Honours Thesis Project, Queen’s University
Sep 2010 – Apr 2011
Advisor: Dr. Stephen Lougheed and Dr. Ryan Danby
• Investigated the genetic structure of the northern prairie skink using microsatellites
• Developed skills in following genetic laboratory protocols, writing and communicating my findings through presentations (oral and poster) and an oral examination
Vegetation Ecology Research Assistant, Queen’s University
May 2010 – Aug 2010
Supervisor: Dr. Ryan Danby
• Assisted in data entry and fieldwork in Kingston related to road-kill ecology
· Built fences along culverts and characterized surrounding area
• Assisted fieldwork in the Yukon related to tree-line and vegetation change research
· Surveyed transects, set up permanent vegetation plots, took standard tree measurements, and quickly learned plant identification
Environmental Studies Honours project, Queen’s University
Sep 2009 – Dec 2009
• Participated in an interdisciplinary class project that worked towards assessing the scientific, socio-political and economic aspects of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere (FAB)
• Creatively and effectively assessed the Arts and Culture aspect of the FAB using community indicators and communicated findings to stakeholders and the board of directors through a final presentation and a Statement of Environment report
Field course—Conservation and Biodiversity of Mexico,
Feb 2011
Queen’s University
• Engaged in biological observation and exploration of the Yucatan, completed a research project, and learned about conservation management and the role of biosphere reserves
Field Course—Desert Ecology, Queen’s University
May 2009
• Engaged in biological observation and exploration of the southwestern deserts of the US, completed a research project, kept a daily scientific journal, and learned plant identification
RELEVANT VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Board member and Resource and Development Lead,
Sep 2015 – Apr 2018
Emerging Leaders for Biodiversity
Ontario
• Responsible for procuring merchandise, logo design, design and edit newsletter
• Over see the working groups progress and address issues as they arise
Volunteer, Thames Talbot Land Trust, London, Ontario
Sep 2013 – Dec 2014
• Helped lead nature walk, community engagement activity, as a butterfly expert
• Participated in volunteer work-days removing invasive species on TTLT property, helped collect seed, and with plantings for restoration projects
Co-Chair, Earth Day Colloquium Organizing Committee
Sep 2013 – Apr 2014
University of Western Ontario
• Helped manage the planning committee, ensure that committee members fulfill their duties, and address concerns as they arise
• Created and maintained website, secured our keynote and an invited speaker, successfully applied for grants, and secured funding for our keynote’s travel cost
Chair of Social Committee, Society of Biology Graduate Students
Sep 2012 – Aug 2013
University of Western Ontario
• Helped planned, organized and advertised social events for biology graduate students and faculty and encourage participation
• Delegated specific tasks, took responsibility and ensured that events ran smoothly and provided support for my committee
RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
Siu, J., Keyghobadi, N., and Koscinski, D. (2015) Effects of habitat fragmentation on swallowtail butterflies. Ontario Biodiveristy Summit (Provincial, Poster presentation, MSc)
Siu, J., Keyghobadi, N., and Koscinski, D. (2014) Effects of habitat fragmentation on swallowtail butterflies. Otter Valley Naturalist. (Community, Oral presentation, MSc)
Siu, J., Keyghobadi, N., and Koscinski, D. (2014) Effects of habitat fragmentation on swallowtail butterflies. Norfolk Field Naturalist. (Community, Oral presentation, MSc)
Siu, J., Keyghobadi, N., and Koscinski, D. (2013) Effects of habitat fragmentation on swallowtail butterflies. Environment and Sustainability Research Forum. (Institutional, Poster presentation, MSc)
Siu, J., Keyghobadi, N., and Koscinski, D. (2013) Flight behaviour of swallowtail butterflies in a fragmented landscape. GIS Day. (Institutional, Poster presentation, MSc)
Siu, J., Keyghobadi, N., and Koscinski, D. (2013) Habitat use of the eastern tiger and spicebush swallowtail butterflies: testing for a positive edge response in a fragmented landscape. Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Canada and the Entomological Society of Ontario. (National, Oral presentation, MSc)
Siu, J., Keyghobadi, N., and Koscinski, D. (2013) Flight behaviour of swallowtail butterflies in a fragmented landscape. Biology Graduate Research Forum. (Institutional, Poster presentation, MSc)
Siu, J., Keyghobadi, N., and Koscinski, D. (2013) Habitat use of the eastern tiger and spicebush swallowtail butterflies: testing for a positive edge response in a fragmented landscape. Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution. (National, Oral presentation, MSc)
Siu, J., Keyghobadi, N., and Koscinski, D. (2013) Habitat use of the eastern tiger and spicebush swallowtail butterflies: testing for a positive edge response in a fragmented landscape. Ontario Ecology, Ethology and Evolution Conference. (Provincial, Oral presentation, MSc)
Siu, J., Keyghobadi, N., and Koscinski, D. (2013) Habitat use of the eastern tiger and spicebush swallowtail butterflies: testing for a positive edge response in a fragmented landscape. 10th Annual Earth Day Colloquium. (National, Oral presentation, MSc)
Siu, J., Lougheed, S., and Rutherford, P. (2011) Evaluating the population structure and conservation in the northern range of the prairie skink, Plestiodon septentrionalis. Biology Undergraduate Poster day. (Institutional, Poster presentation, BScH)
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Siu, J., Koscinski, D., and Keyghobadi, N. (2016) Swallowtail butterflies show positive edge responses predicted by resource. Landscape Ecology. Available here
DiLeo, M., Siu, J., Rhodes, M., Lopez-Villalobos, A., Redwine, A., Ksiazek, K., and Dyer, R. (2013) The gravity of pollination: Integrating at-site features into spatial analysis of contemporary pollen movement. Molecular Ecology.
AWARDS (Name, Value in CAD, Type and Period Held)
• Environment and Sustainability Master’s In Stream Award, $1000, Institutional, 2013
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC CSG M), $17 500, National, 2013
• PSAC Local 610 Outstanding Research Contribution Scholarship, $400, Institutional, 2013
• Environment and Sustainability Master’s Entrance Award, $1000, Institutional, 2013
• Environment and Sustainability Travel Award, $714.00, Institutional, 2013