Kate Lyn Sheehan
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EDUCATION

Ph.D. Wildlife and Fisheries Biology 2013
School of Agricultural, Forest, and Environmental Sciences (SAFES)
College of Agricultural, Forest, and Life Sciences (CAFLS)
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634



M.S. Marine Sciences 2008
College of Arts & Sciences
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL, 36688
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Dauphin Island, AL 36529

B.S. Biological Sciences 2004
College of Arts & Sciences
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL, 36688
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C.V.
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teaching experience

Ecology (lecture & lab)
Instructor of Record
Southern Arkansas University
​2 semesters​
  • ​An in-depth discussion of the interactions of organisms with each other and with their environments
  • ​Topics range from individual, to populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes, and global ecology
  • ​Designed to develop educated voters that can understand the consequences of environmental change, population management, and personal choices
  • Labs teach student basic techniques in the field, provide hands-on examples for data collection & experimental design, and statistical analyses - including coding in MS Excel and R software
  • Students design & carry out 2 experiments over the semester. They present their results, including stats to the class

Parasitology (lecture & lab)
​Instructor of Record
Southern Arkansas University
1 semester
  • ​An overview of the major taxonomic groups of parasitic organisms with an emphasis on those that cause disease in humans & animals
  • ​Weekly readings of pop-literature in the subject (Parasite Rex by Car Zimmer) and peer-reviewed publications 
  • ​Students quickly learn to become effective & efficient readers, and randomly are assigned to lead paper discussions
  • Small groups present interesting concepts they know well on the subject to a non-science audience with great success
  • Labs include dissections & necropsies of invertebrates, vertebrates & plants
  • ​Parasites were pulled from assigned samples (intestinal parasites & entomological samples) & each student stained, mounted, and collected their own parasites for a class collection

Independent Research
Instructor of Record
Southern Arkansas University
3 semesters
  • ​Students work alone or in pairs to plan, carry out, process, and analyze research projects dealing with environmental plastics or parasitology
  • ​Projects completed by mid- March are presented at the Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASP) conference. 
  • 1 student in 2018
  • ​6 students in 2019

University Biology II (lecture & lab)
Instructor of Record
Southern Arkansas University
1 semester
  • ​Topics include ecology, evolution, and the diversity of life - for biology majors freshman year
  • Students write a 2,000-word paper on a taxonomic family of their choice, learning how to use reference librarians & the writing center on campus
  • ​Labs provide a brief overview of basic organismal groups
  • ​Lecture is designed to provide students with foundational information needed for upper division courses while developing needed study skills for success in college

Field Experiences (lecture & lab)
Instructor of Record
Southern Arkansas University
​2 semesters
  • ​Lecture included a semester-long preparatory course where students researched and planned for a trip to the national parks of the US
  • Fundraised over $12,000 to fully support travel and supply costs
  • ​Students developed lists of organisms, geological features, astronomical constellations & subjects, and human-based items that they hoped to/might encounter while on the trip
  • Students planned their final projects - aimed to share their experience with the general public
  • ​The lab consisted of a 7-day trip to 3 National Parks in TX & NM
  • Students hiked, went horseback riding, canoeing, wildlife-watched & documented their experience
  • ​The final presentation was attended by dozens of university & public patrons, followed by a brief Q&A session

Biology Colloquium
Instructor of Record
Southern Arkansas University
1 semester
  • Provided resources for students to enhance their professional development materials for post-graduate life: resumes, CVs, personal statements, elevator pitches, vision statements, application questionnaire assistance, phone/skype/in-person interview responses
  • ​Set-up 2 phone, skype, or in-person interviews for each student to speak with professionals in the fields they are interested in 

Oceanography
Instructor of Record
Southern Arkansas University
1 semester
  • ​Used current and classic peer-reviewed papers to teach chemical oceanography, physical oceanography, and geological oceanography
  • ​Linked non-biology disciplines to the ecology, distribution, and physiology of marine organisms
  • ​Small class size allowed for personalized tutoring on topics that were not covered in general science courses at a college level
  • No concurrent lab offered

Marine Biology
Instructor of Record
Southern Arkansas University
1 semester
  • Overview of ecological systems present in marine environments
  • ​Linked concepts in chemical oceanography, atmospheric & oceanographic physics, and geological processes to marine ecology
  • In-depth assessments of marine organisms, their relationships, and future in a changing world
  • No concurrent lab offered
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Special Topics in Parasitology & Conservation
Independent Research
University of California, San Diego/Scripps Oceanography
2 semesters
  • ​Developed the outline & annotated bibliographies for a publication modeling the interaction of parasites & marine plastics in seabird populations
  • ​Developed a parasite & plastic interaction model using biological values gleamed from the literature
  • Worked with 5 undergraduate students to perform a literature search of endoparasites & ectoparasites of 60 species of coastal birds
  • ​Developed database of parasites in coastal birds
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Aquatic Community Assessment and Analysis

Creative Inquiry                                          
Clemson University
6 semesters                                                             
  • Designed, implementation, assessment, and presentation of  findings of experimental field research projects
  • Exposed students to scientific literature to facilitate meaningful learning of ecological concepts
  • Students used simple field equipment, collected, and processed over 1200 field samples

Avian Ecology and Citizen Science
Creative Inquiry                                          
Clemson University
4 semesters
  • Participated in multiple citizen science programs associated with bird research and reporting
  • Exposed students to scientific literature to facilitate meaningful learning of ecological and social concepts
  • Students designed a field study that incorporates the Citizen Science initiative 'Project Feeder Watch'

Teaching Assistant
Biology  Laboratory                           
Clemson University                                   
7 semesters, 21 sections                                     
  • Trained students to use standard biological laboratory equipment and instrumentation
  • Developed in-class assignments to test material retention
  • Provided monthly study sessions for students interested in reinforcing course material

Teaching Assistant
Ecology Laboratory                            
Clemson University                                   
1 semester, 2 sections  
  • Weekly field trips were used to teach ecological concepts from various ecosystems in South Carolina
  • Created study guides and provided tutoring to students in need of extra help outside of class
  • Assigned weekly lab reports that improved overall writing skills of students by over 70%

Teaching Assistant       
Marine Aquaculture                           
Dauphin Island Sea Lab                          
2 semesters
  • Organized field trips to various facilities involved in the culture of various marine organisms
  • Proctored and graded assessments of students designed to test retention of course material  
  • Was guest lecturer for material covering freshwater salmonid operations (4 lectures)    

Teaching Assistant
Marine Biology                                    
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
1 semester                                               
  • Assisted in teaching of field and laboratory techniques of northern Gulf of Mexico research
  • Brought students on overnight field trips to visit and sample in various marine habitats
  • Demonstrated proper techniques for dissection of fishes to check for parasite infection

Laboratory Instructor
Biology                                      
University of South Alabama                              
1 semester, 3 sections                                        
  • Trained students to use simple and complex laboratory equipment
  • Lectured on various biological concepts required for the pre-med Biological Sciences program
  • Lead students in a variety of dissections from invertebrates to small vertebrates
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Ecology lab students carrying out an in-class experiment
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Hay! Did you know even livestock eat plastic. You can see the green baling nylon used on round bales
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Student researchers returning from sample collecting along roadsides in Columbia County, Arkansas. So shy!
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View from the top of the highest peak in Texas: Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains NP, Texas
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Horseback riding near Big Bend National Park, Texas
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Students leaving the light at the entrance of Carlsbad Caverns National Par, New Mexico
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Fundraising meme for Field Experiences course
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electrofishing with SCDNR on lake Moultrie
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marsh bird banding on Kiawah Island with local wildlife researcher assessing sparrow abundance
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Radio telemetry on Lake Moultrie with SCDNR
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Creative Inquiry students present a poster at the annual Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting
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Creative Inquiry student explains his research at the Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting in WV
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