Lydia Austin

Creating an invasive species management strategy by collecting hydrological and geological data from the surrounding Rouge River Watershed

- Regularly evaluating surface and groundwater interactions

- Physical assessments of surface water levels of a large marsh

- Measuring the pH, sediment load, organic matter, and composition of the area's soil

- Identifying the floodplain rocks and pebbles

- Leading small teams of visitors on discovery walks through natural areas and emphasizing nature's intrinsic value

- Identifying the local flora and fauna 

- Answering visitors' questions

- Coordinated marketing and organization of Michigan's booth and pavilion at the 2014 International BIO Convention

- Assisted in organizing Michigan's convention booths and pavilion speakers

- Established and maintained communication as main point of contact with sponsors at multiple tiers and external to MiLSIC

-Team Supervisor: managed and trained 11 students biotechnological lab techniques

- Researched viability and impact of bioremediation of wastewater with algae

- Collaborated with and Michigan State University and Arizona State University biofuel laboratories

- Developed a system to convert cyanobacteria into a bio-gasoline with reliable hot/cold flow dynamics

- Successfully located specific loci involved in lipid production, in order to produce short chain alkanes

- Technical writing: lab, tool, and equipment logs; federal grant proposals and application

- Trained several student teams in monitoring, thawing, and expanding algal cell cultures

- Gel electrophoresis, PCR, qPCR, solution preparation, and gas chromatography analyses

- Proposed and implemented a new recycling plan & moved from semi-paperless to paperless office  

- Over 5 years administrative experience

- Point of contact for all internal and external communications