EDUCATION
Villanova University, 2016 – present
Master of Science, Behavioral Ecology
Advisor: Dr. Robert Curry
Thesis: Dominance and sociality: implications for a moving songbird hybrid zone
GPA: 4.00/4.00

Dickinson College, 2012 – 2015
Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience and Behavior
Minor: Psychology, cum laude
GPA: 3.67/4.00

GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
Academic Year Research Fellowship, Fall 2017
Graduate Department of Biology, Villanova University

Summer Research Fellowship, Summer 2017   
Graduate Studies Department, Villanova University

Alexander Bergstrom Memorial Award, Spring 2017
Grant for field-based avian research, Association of Field Ornithologists (AFO)

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Masters Thesis Research
Hawk Mountain, PA, 2016 – present
Department of Biology, Villanova University
Dominance and mate choice: An analysis of behavioral mechanisms in a moving songbird hybrid zone
Advisor: Dr. Robert Curry
– Use network theory to examine social structure and status in winter flocks
> Feeders outfitted with RFID technology to determine flock social network
> Dominance platform outfitted with dual RFID reader to measure dominance
– Employ RFID and genetic testing to determine mate choice and extra pair paternity
> Spring artificial nest snags outfitted with RFID technology to determine mating
pairs
> Blood samples and PIT tag identification used to examine paternity
– Maintenance and monitoring of the Curry lab’s long-term field sites
> Checking and repairing artificial nest snags (PVC pipe cavity nests)
> Banding and bleeding adults and nestlings and PIT-tagging adults

Ecology of Maritime Canada
Nova Scotia, CA, July 2016
Department of Biology, Villanova University  
Abundance of bird species on Bon Portage and Webster’s Island in Nova Scotia, Canada
Course professor: Dr. Robert Curry
– Completed point counts based on visual and auditory bird identification on the
interior and exterior of both islands.
– Compared species abundance across islands and across interior/exterior habitats

RESEARCH INTEREST
– Group dynamics and relationships in social species
– Evolution of social behaviors and their effects on fitness and survival
– Genetic and behavioral aspects of hybridization
– Union of behavior and conservation studies
– Animal learning, cognition, and personality

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Villanova University
Teaching Assistant
How Microbes Rule the World, Fall 2016
– Prepped all lab media: agar plates and broth cultures
– Assisted professor with all laboratory activities and co-taught labs

Biology and Politics, Fall 2016 / Spring 2017
– Prepped all lab media: agar plates and broth cultures
– Assisted professor with all laboratory activities and held office hours for student
help

Animal Behavior, Spring 2017
– Aided in teaching biologically relevant statistics during labs
– Prepped labs and worked with students extensively on group projects involving
animals in the lab and in the field

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
Capitol Area Animal Medical Center
Harrisburg, PA, 2015 – 2016
Kennel/Veterinary Technician
– Hired as Kennel Technician, quickly promoted to train as Veterinary Technician
> Completed laboratory work such as blood testing and fecal sample examination
> Administered daily medication orally, topically, and intravenously
> Aided veterinarians during appointments and treatments

Black Pine Animal Sanctuary
Albion, IN, May – August 2014
Animal Keeper Intern
– Completed 550 hours of work with over 50 species of exotic animals including large
carnivores and primates
> Performed daily husbandry tasks such as feeding and cleaning
> Designed and deployed enrichment activities and completed behavioral
observation
> Administered animal medicine orally, topically, and intravenously

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Wilson Ornithological Society
American Ornithological Society
Animal Behavior Society
The Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology

LABORATORY SKILLS
DNA extraction, PCR, RFLP, gel electrophoresis, micropipetting, media prep and autoclave use, paternity analyses using SNP markers, fecal analyses

COMPUTER SKILLS
Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Rstats, MATLAB, Social Network Analysis (SNA), program MARK

ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Garlinger RD, Eldredge CL, Roche CJ, Curry RL. Applications of social network analysis: investigating social behaviors in resident Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis) and irruptive Black-capped Chickadees (P. atricapillus). 2017. Wilson Ornithological Society Conference, Fort Myers, FL.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS:
Bennett BL, Garlinger RD, Curry RL. Effect of PIT Tags on Survival of Carolina Chickadees. 2016. North American Ornithological Conference VI, Washington, DC.

Garlinger RD, Eldredge CL, Roche CJ, Curry RL. Applications of social network analysis: investigating social behaviors in resident Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis) and irruptive Black-capped Chickadees (P. atricapillus). 2017. Eastern Bird Banding Society Conference, Ithaca, NY.

Garlinger RD, Eldredge CL, Roche CJ, Curry RL. Integration of irruptive Black-capped Chickadees into resident Carolina Chickadee populations. 2017. American Ornithological Society / Society of Canadian Ornithologists Conference, Lansing, MI