Elizabeth O’Hara
1326-B Ashland Rd. | Columbia, MO 65201 | 770-715-7211
elizabeth.ohara@mail.mizzou.edu
Objective
To obtain a position in the field of wildlife conservation where I can use
my education, field research skills, and passion for education and
outreach to make a contribution to the preservation of habitat and the
essential ecological processes found therein.
Education
University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
Master of Arts, Biological Sciences, December 2010. GPA 3.6/4.0
Research Topic: Ecology and genetic diversity among island feral
horse populations
Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences, May 2008. GPA 3.61/4.0
Moberly Area Community College, Moberly, Missouri
Associate of Arts, 2005. GPA 3.86/4.0
Experience
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Missouri.
August 2008 – present
 Instructed Introductory Biology Laboratory and General Ecology.
Conducted both classroom and laboratory exercises in both
courses.
 Expanded my knowledge with a college science teaching course.
 Participated in a workshop to develop skills in evaluating and
critiquing undergraduate research papers.
Conservation Biology seminar speaker coordinator, University of Missouri.
March 2009 – May 2010
 Recruited speakers for public seminars through three semesters.
 Coordinated travel arrangements and lodging.
 Scheduled meetings for speakers with faculty and graduate
students.
 Acted as host by meeting speaker upon arrival, escorting him/her
between engagements, introducing the seminar, and organizing
department-funded social gatherings.
Field Researcher, Missouri Department of Conservation.
May – August 2008
 Collected data as part of a long-term study on the effects of forest
management practices on songbird distribution and abundance.
 Performed point counts, monitored distribution of focal songbird
species for constructing territory maps, located nests and
monitored their success, and mist-netted and banded birds.
 Conducted an independent research project surveying species
richness of herbaceous vegetation between treatment plots.
Site Leader, University of Missouri Alternative Spring Break.
Spring 2008
 Supervised a group of undergraduate students on a service trip to
Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia, during spring
break. Arranged details with the volunteer coordinator at the
park, organized meetings of all group members, participated in
fund-raising, and prepared and adhered to group budget.
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Missouri.
August 2007 – 2008.
 Analyzed microsatellites to determine relatedness amongst
raccoon populations, suggesting a genetic susceptibility to parasitic
infestations.
 Evaluated the spatial and genetic structure of Missouri red bats
using mitochondrial DNA.
 Traveled to Shackleford Banks, NC, to collect fecal samples from
feral horses that inhabit the island. Clarified paternity of newborn
foals using microsatellites.
Field Technician, University of Missouri.
January - September 2007.
 Set up and removed Tomahawk traps from remote forest
locations.
 Anesthetized trapped raccoons to collect hair, blood and fecal
samples for graduate student thesis research.
 Trained in basic telemetry and stress hormone collection
techniques, as well as lab techniques for isolation and
identification of endo- and ectoparasites.
Volunteer Field Assistant.
Fall 2006.
 Recorded presence/absence of songbird fatalities near a local
television tower, as well as collected birds for use in the University
museum.
Laboratory
and Computer
Skills
Proficient in:

Microsoft Office software

DNA extraction from hair, feces, blood and tissue

Polymerase Chain Reaction

Microsatellite genotyping with GeneMarker

Mitochondrial sequence scoring using Sequencher

Population genetic analyses using GenePop, STRUCTURE

Parentage analyses using Parente
Skilled in:

Microsatellite primer development

Landscape analyses using ArcMap
Awards
 Conservation Biology research grant from the University of Missouri.
 Undergraduate departmental honors from the University of Missouri,
Columbia.
 Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship (2004) for study abroad in Canterbury,
England.
Presentations
 International Congress for Conservation Biology, University of Alberta,
Edmonton, AB, Canada. July 2010. “Ecological exchangeability
between two island feral horse populations.” Poster
 Conservation Biology Seminar Series, University of Missouri.
December 2009. “Genetic diversity and population ecology used to
assess exchangeability between island feral horse populations.” Short
talk
 Evolution National Conference, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID. June
2009. “Genetic exchangeability between two island feral horse
populations.” Poster
 Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum,
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. July 2008. “Effects of forest
management practices on herbaceous species richness.” Poster
 Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum,
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. April 2008. “A Tale of Two
Horses: A comparative study of the horses of Shackleford Banks, NC,
and Assateague Island, MD.” Poster
 Life Sciences Week, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. April 2008.
“A Tale of Two Horses: A comparative study of the horses of
Shackleford Banks, NC, and Assateague Island, MD.” Poster