Emily Parks

• Compiled data to conduct air quality and greenhouse gas technical analysis using excel, California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod), and EMFAC emissions model to estimate on-road vehicles emissions • Coordinated with internal and external teams to meet project deadlines • Prepared environmental impact assessment documentation under CEQA and NEPA compliance for a variety of projects located in California, including EIRs, MNDs, and Tech Memos • Improved verbal communication skills to efficiently speak and troubleshoot data needs with clients • Assisted project managers in writing non-air quality/GHG text sections to engage more into the general CEQA process

• Developed a controlled laboratory study comparing the otolith microstructures, somatic growth rates, and RNA/DNA index values (via SYBR Green II technique) of California killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis) to infer recent nutritional condition and habitat quality for wild populations in Kendall-Frost Mission Bay salt marsh reserve • Submitted an approved Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) proposal for the ethical use of vertebrates (fish) that comply with the animal welfare laws and guidelines for humane treatment of all animals on campus • Submitted a research proposal and received George Maier Fund Grant to provide funds for chemicals and supplies necessary to complete my thesis work

• Learned how to plan and win advocacy campaigns via remote trainings provided by San Diego’s Audubon Society Chapter • Lead and gathered resources to provide recommendations as part of the San Diego’s Green New Deal effort to improve the City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), specifically to include more measurable goals associated with the benefits of wetland restoration and riparian forest habitat in the City’s domain

• Explored population dynamics of sandy beach invertebrate communities from Santa Barbara shores and Channel Islands for the Santa Barbara Coastal Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) and larger NSF kelp tracking project • Assisted Ph.D. students and associate research biologist, Jenny Dugan, with the field collection process and maintained database for animal inventory for department use

• Conducted a collaborative research project to examine how proximity to a freshwater stream, based on pH and salinity levels, may affect meiofauna community composition on pneumatophores at Moreton Bay research station • Investigated the predatory response of the gobiid fish, Cryptocentrus cinctus, based on predator size at Heron Island research station • Learned the writing skills associated with producing a manuscript for submission to academic journals and presented research findings to other students and professors

• Part of the executive board that discussed and voted on funding requests for major grants ($5,000) and minor grants ($1,000) • Prepared a detailed monthly budget for the organization and ensured all regulatory documents were maintained during the lifecycle of each project’s term • Maintained office hours on a weekly basis and actively interviewed service-based programs or groups that foster greater awareness regarding social, educational, economic, and environmental issues