Beau Garcia
Research Interests
My interests include studying the behavior of animals in the wild to create efficient conservation management with a focus on herpetofauna. Specifically, I wish to help manage sustainable Eco-tourism by studying the effects it may have on the behavior of threatened/endangered species. I aim to create a program that introduces students to these ecological field studies. While teaching students the necessary skills, the data collected would help educate Eco-tourism programs and local communities on conservation.
Operation Wallacea
Lead Herpetologist, Sani Biological Station, Ecuador
2022
I guided high school and university-level students on herpetofauna visual encounter
surveys both mornings and nighttime. I captured herpetofauna when possible, allowing students to help with measurements and data collection. Using students as citizen scientists, we collected behavioral and biodiversity data. I created a new biodiversity report for the station including Identification photos
Herpetologist Technician, Wyoming Game and Fish
2021
I traveled throughout the state doing visual encounter surveys and swabbing amphibians for Chytrid to assess amphibian and reptile populations. Our focus was on trout population trends and how Chytrid fungus affects amphibian populations, especially endangered Boreal Toads (Anaxyrus boreas). I collaborated with the US Forest Service to assess amphibian populations and breeding status in post-burn areas. In a new study, I worked with Spiny Softshell Turtles (Apalone spinifera) as well.
Operation Wallacea
Lead Herpetologist, Calakmul Biological Reserve, Mexico
2019
I guided high school level students and Central American park rangers on herpetofauna visual encounter surveys both mornings and nighttime. Captured herpetofauna when possible, allowing students to help with measurements and data collection. I also taught lectures on herpetofauna. In a collective effort, we published our biodiversity and behavioral findings.
Field Biologist,
New Hampshire Fish and Game
2018
I worked with the state to assess turtle breeding habitats and population status. Specifically, we focused on endangered blandings and spotted turtles. We used radio telemetry to track blandings turtle’s movement and identify habitat use.
REU-Organization for Tropical Studies, La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica
2017
“Factors affecting clutch success in three sympatric species of glass frog in Sarapiqui, Costa Rica”
My team conducted nocturnal visual encounter surveys to find glass frogs and their eggs. Frogs found were captured if possible and data was collected such as sex, size, species, and height found. I returned alone during the day to our sites to check on each egg mass’ condition.
Directed Research Project
Eco-Quest Education Foundation, Hunua Ranges, New Zealand
2017
“Effect of pest-management on the abundance of the New Zealand endemic and endangered Hochstetter’s Frog, Leiopelma hochstetteri, within the Hunua Ranges”
Working with a team of students and our field leader, we conducted frog count surveys, recorded frog measurements, and did vegetation/habitat measurements. We worked with data collected over the past 15 years between the same pest-controlled and non-pest-controlled areas to see the significance of invasive mammals on Hochstetter’s frog populations.
Ornithologist Technician
McNair Research Fellowship, Durham, New Hampshire
2016-2017
“Quantifying the reproductive success of a declining shrubland-obligate songbird, the prairie warbler (Setophaga discolor), breeding in an active gravel pit in southeastern New Hampshire”
I worked with my project mentor, Matt Tarr, on an ecological study of shrubland habitats and their inhabitants in Southeastern, NH. Prairie warblers were caught using mist nets and tagged for ID. We took blood samples and GPS-tracked their territories to find nests throughout the summer. My project goals were to measure these birds' reproductive output to analyze the quality of their habitat and learn what these birds need to be successful.
Freshwater Ecology Lab Assistant, University of New Hampshire
2015-2016
I worked under Dr. James Haney, Dept. of Biological Sciences. My group and I were researching and culturing different species of cyanobacteria to learn more about their relations to ALS and Alzheimer’s.
RESEARCH CONFERENCES AND PRESENTATIONS
Undergraduate Research Conference 2018
The University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Poster and Oral Presentation: “Quantifying the reproductive success of a declining shrubland-obligate songbird, the prairie warbler (Setophaga discolor), breeding in an active gravel pit in southeastern New Hampshire”
McNair Scholars Research Conference 2017
Florida International University, Miami, FL
Oral Presentation: “Factors affecting clutch success in three sympatric species of glass frog in Sarapiqui, Costa Rica”
McNair Scholars Research Conference 2016
The University of California, Berkeley, CA
Poster Presentation: “Quantifying the reproductive success of a declining shrubland-obligate songbird, the prairie warbler (Setophaga discolor), breeding in an active gravel pit in southeastern New Hampshire”
The University of New Hampshire Undergraduate Research Conference 2016
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Oral or Poster Presentation: “Methods of Culturing Aerosolized Cyanobacteria”