Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic
Luke Stover

Luke Stover

Zoologist
Hickory

Summary

Seeking to advance science and biological conservation through non-invasive research, community-based conservation, and public outreach and education. Passionate about conservation strategies for endangered species and habitat modification and biological conservation effects in zoos, sanctuaries, and the wild.

Overview

5
5
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Veterinary Technician

Cordova Animal Medical Center
03.2023 - 04.2024
  • Prepared surgical instrument packs and drapes for use in sterile environments by processing in autoclave.
  • Administered medications and vaccinations to animals under the supervision of a veterinarian, ensuring proper dosage and administration techniques.
  • Assisted veterinarians with radiographs and ultrasounds.
  • Provided thorough discharge instructions to clients following appointments or surgical procedures, ensuring clear understanding of medications, aftercare steps, and follow-up recommendations.

Substitute Teacher, K-5

Santa Rosa County Public Schools
03.2023 - 04.2024
  • Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
  • Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop interdisciplinary lessons that connected subject areas and reinforced key concepts.
  • Supervised lunchroom and recess activities.
  • Followed lesson plans designed by absent teachers.

Primate Field Scientist

Field Projects International (FPI) in partnership with British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
10.2022 - 2 2023
  • Habituated multiple Emperor Tamarin groups using telemetry, and GPS in preparation for BBC coming to record multiple wildlife documentaries
  • Performed all day “follows” from the moment they awake and throughout their territorial-based foraging activities, until they retire in a sleep tree at night
  • Gathered opportunistic data including spatial data, behavioral data, tree use data, and biological waste data during these habituation follows
  • Organized and entered data sets and points into various programs, including Garmin BaseCamp, Animal Observer, GIS, Avenza Maps, and GIC collect.

Hoofstock Keeper

Gulf Breeze Zoo
05.2022 - 10.2022
  • Managed the daily husbandry, care, diet preparation, and feeding of over 20 exotic animals
  • The daily monitoring of animal health and well-being through close observation, routine weight, and dietary consumption charts
  • Administered medication via oral, crop tube, catheter, and injectable subcutaneous or intramuscular
  • Treated basic wellness issues such as superficial wounds and called in veterinarian assistance for more complex concerns
  • Created appropriate enrichment and training plans using operant conditioning to stimulate and engage animals in a captive environment
  • Helped lead behind-the-scenes tours to guests for our Nile Hippos
  • Had regular keeper chats at animal exhibits to explain natural behaviors and enrichment projects.

Scientific Researcher

Field Projects International (FPI)
06.2021 - 08.2021
  • Assisted the exotic veterinarians on the birds, bats, and mammals’ teams to conduct wildlife health surveys on animals, using morphometrics to identify species
  • Executed behavioral follows with 11 species of native primates to look at microhabitats and diet using sight, sound, telemetry, and GPS devices
  • Collected biological samples such as feces, urine, hair/feathers, nail clippings, etc
  • From each animal
  • Organized and projected spatial data in QGIS and Garmin BaseCamp
  • Conducted environmental DNA screening and DNA barcoding with Tamarin monkeys.

AmeriCorps Member

Racine Zoo
09.2020 - 06.2021
  • Assisted keepers with the daily husbandry care and diet preparation of different exotic animals
  • Collaborated with the lead trainer in the training of the ambassador animals
  • Handled a variety of reptiles and small mammals used for educational programs
  • Designed and presented educational curricula for the local school districts and zoo guests
  • Presented educational material and mentored younger children, some with behavioral issues, at on-site zoo programs
  • Realigned virtual educational curriculum with government standards, and edited work blog posts and educational videos.

Volunteer

Duke Lemur Center
06.2019 - 03.2020
  • Gave tours to the public to educate them on conservation strategies for rare and endangered Lemur species, the effects of habitat modification, and biological conservation
  • I have also had other extensive volunteer experiences at various animal shelters and adoption centers.

Student

The School of Field Studies (SFS)
09.2019 - 12.2019
  • Completed 18 credits with a directed research project on Macroinvertebrate Diversity
  • Improved sampling techniques and conducted statistical tests (R) to evaluate the collected data
  • Learned to develop, conduct, analyze, compile, and present research based on field methods.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Zoology

North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC
08.2018 - 06.2020

Skills

Animal Condition Evaluations

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Timeline

Veterinary Technician

Cordova Animal Medical Center
03.2023 - 04.2024

Substitute Teacher, K-5

Santa Rosa County Public Schools
03.2023 - 04.2024

Primate Field Scientist

Field Projects International (FPI) in partnership with British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
10.2022 - 2 2023

Hoofstock Keeper

Gulf Breeze Zoo
05.2022 - 10.2022

Scientific Researcher

Field Projects International (FPI)
06.2021 - 08.2021

AmeriCorps Member

Racine Zoo
09.2020 - 06.2021

Student

The School of Field Studies (SFS)
09.2019 - 12.2019

Volunteer

Duke Lemur Center
06.2019 - 03.2020

Bachelor of Science - Zoology

North Carolina State University
08.2018 - 06.2020
Luke StoverZoologist