Resumé

Kevin A. Zelnio

Mörtfors, Sweden | kzelnio@gmail.com | +46 (0)72-5133825 | http://zelnio.org

SUMMARY

I am a science communicator, marine biologist, folk musician, and father specializing in all aspects of the oceanic, environmental and zoological worlds. I obtained a masters degree in biology from Pennsylvania State University and have worked in labs doing organismal, genetics and molecular ecology research for nearly ten years.

I am pursuing my passion for science communications and developing effective messaging strategies for scientists. My aim is to improve the public’s understanding and appreciation of science, while making research accessible to everyone.

EDUCATION

• M.Sc. Biology: The Pennsylvania State University, 2009. Thesis: Community structure of hydrothermal vents at the Eastern-Lau Spreading Center.
• B.Sc. Evolution and Ecology: University of California – Davis, 2004.
• Diploma in Audio Engineering: Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences, 1999.

EXPERIENCE

SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS

• Freelance Science Writer (2008-present): Short articles (200-1200 words) published in Seed Magazine, Scientific American, Environmental Law Review (infographic), Voda, New Scientist. Have written for blogs on ScienceBlogs and Discovery Channel News Blogs.
• Assistant Editor, Deep Sea News (2007-present): Manage, solicit and edit copy from guest contributors. Write short to medium length articles (500-2000 words) communicating new research and current events, editorials, and concept synthesis, archived at http://deepseanews.com/tag/best-of-zelnio. Maintain and promote the website through social networking and media.
• Science Outreach Consulting (2008-present): Online social media campaign and science communications to diverse audiences for various initiatives and expeditions. Clients: HMS Beagle Project Educational Trust, The British Council, Tocorimé Pajatomari, Duke University.
• Science Communication Evangelism (2008-present): Editorials and analysis of the field on Deep Sea News and other blogs, and talks at the annual Science Online conference. Published chapter on “virtual environmentalism” with colelagues in the Handbook of Environmental Leadership.

TEACHING

• Instructed over 150 students in Introductory Biology Laboratory (including honors students), co-instructed 33 students in an upper division course ‘Symbiosis’. Developed, and instructed over 90 students in, an upper division course ‘Deep Sea Biology’. Mentored students in independent laboratory study. Tutored math to special needs students. Teaching conducted at Monterey Peninsula College, Penn State, Duke University, and University of North Carolina – Wilmington.

CONSULTING

• Scientific Consulting (2008-Present):

• Scientific: Provided advice on taxonomic issues, sample processing, study design, statistical analyses. Assembled literature reviews, delivered reports, prepared samples for isotopic and chemical analysis and analyzed data. Clients: Aquanautix Consulting, Duke University.
• Science-Public Relations: Provided advice on scientific publishing practices, new web layouts and feature testing, web analytics and topical analysis and statistics. Clients: Public Library of Science (PLoS), Altmetrics (Nature Publishing Group Digital Science)
• Science Communication: Analysis of the online conversation surrounding ocean science issues and developing analysis and reports. Training graduate students in communicating to diverse audiences. Ocean Conservancy, Upwell, Linnaeus University (Sweden)

RESEARCH

• Results published in three reports, one book chapter and nine peer-reviewed publications, including a “highly accessed” article in BMC Evolutionary Biology.
• Research presented at over 20 major conferences, workshops and university seminars. Work conducted at UC – Davis, Pennsylvania State University, Duke University, UNC – Wilmington, Ohio State University and independently.
• Ecological Study: Focus on deep-sea ecology and conservation. Expertise developed in biodiversity, multivariate statistics for community ecology, stable isotope analysis, genetic marker development for molecular ecology (gene fragment and microsatellite), and analysis of genetic data in ecological contexts.
• Taxonomic Study: Systematics of various marine invertebrates, histology, writing identification keys and phylogenetics. I’ve described and named five new species of anemone and shrimp.

RELEVANT SKILLS

• Computer: Mac OSX, Windows, OpenOffice, MS Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite. Various audio and video editing software. Variety of statistical, ecological and genetics software.
• Web Tools: Movable Type, Typepad, WordPress, Blogger, HTML, CSS, Quicktime Pro, Podcasting, Social Media (Twitter, Blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn).
• Science Skills: PCR, sequencing, genetic marker development, taxonomy, microscopy, histology, stable isotope analysis, uni-/multi-variate statistics. Lab management and training.

GRANTS, AWARDS AND HONORS

• My online writing was selected for inclusion in the print anthology “Open Lab: Best Science Writing on Blogs” for 2007, 2008 and 2010.
• University honors: Undergraduate honors from Vista Community College, Monterey Peninsula College (2000-2002). University of California – Davis Outstanding Senior Award 2004. Homer Braddock scholarship from Penn State 2004 and 2008. Ridge2000 student travel award 2005.
• Grants: Systematics of anemones from hydrothermal vents at the Lau back-arc basin ($4000). TAWNI grant from the Census of Marine Life’s Chemosynthetic Ecosystems (ChEss) field project, 2006. Contributed text and figures to 4 NSF grants (2 funded).

MEMBERSHIP

• Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (Student 2006-2012), National Association of Science Writers (Student 2010-present), American Association for the Advancement of Science (Student 2004-2010), Society for the Study of Evolution (Student and Regular Member 2003-2009), American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (Member 2005-2009), Society for Conservation Biology – Davis Chapter (Policy Chair 2002-2004)