Cara Love
307 Smith Ave. ● New Ellenton, SC 29809 ● 585-329-4422 ● caranlove@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Environmental and Forest Biology,
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY
Major: Wildlife Science
Associate of the Arts, Humanities,
Finger Lakes Community College, Canandaigua, NY
Major: Liberal Arts
(2009)
(2005)
EXPERIENCE
Research Assistant, Savannah River Ecology Lab, Aiken, SC
(2011-current)
 At SREL I am actively participating in multiple research projects and have several job responsibilities
briefly described below.
 My primary responsibility involves developing, optimizing and screening genetic markers for a wide
variety of species. In addition I coordinate projects, maintain a client database, and assist with writing
manuscripts.
 I am the lead technician on a study examining the relationship between avian malaria and contaminant
exposure in wading birds. I assist with field studies to collect blood and feathers from nestlings and
then I lead the genetic screening for avian malaria parasites and assist with mercury analysis. I will be
a co-author on all resulting manuscripts.
 I helped design, implement, and analyze a study examining the effects of contaminant exposure on
amphibian skin secretions and disease susceptibility. I am taking the lead on writing up the
manuscript resulting from this project.
 I developed my own independent side project to examine aspects of salamander mating behavior. The
project involved setting up mesocosm experiments with manipulations of sex ratio and arrival time,
and conducting paternity analysis using microsatellites. I will be lead author on the resulting
manuscript.
Research Technician, University of Tennessee, Fort Riley, KS
(2011)
 In the grasslands of Kansas I helped develop and implement a method for conducting remote bird and
frog population surveys by means of an airborne audio recording device.
 My primary responsibilities were to perform researcher bias studies, learn and program recording
equipment, and collect territory, call rate, physiological, and population density information on
Henslow’s Sparrows, Grasshopper Sparrows, Field Sparrows, Greater Prairie Chickens, and Northern
Bobwhite Quail.
Research Assistant, Department of Environmental Conservation of NY State, Seneca County, NY
(2010)
 I captured, identified, aged, sexed, and banded American Black Ducks, Mallards, and American Black
Duck/Mallard hybrids for an ongoing DEC American Black Duck/Mallard hybrid study examining
the rates of hybridization and effects on survivorship.
Research Biologist, Muraviovka Park, Amur Region, Russian Federation
(2009-2010)
 At Muraviovka I performed research encompassing many different projects with the aim of initiating
biological research programs within the region that could be continued for years to come. A few of the
projects are described briefly below.
 I led the development, management, implementation, reporting, and fundraising for a regional
waterfowl census and survey as well as drift fence surveys for small mammal and amphibian species
to develop a foundation of species composition and relative abundance at the park.
 I presented the proposed surveys to the board of directors and maintained contact with all financial
and research support personnel throughout the studies.

I co-managed the recording and collection of all avian migratory species seen at Muraviovka, mapped
White-napped Crane, Red-crowned Crane, and Oriental White Stork nests; measured habitat
variables; co-managed the care and husbandry of 17 endangered or threatened captive birds.
 I also led educational programs addressing regional ecological issues for students and professionals,
presented park resources to foreign and national visitors, and explained land management techniques
to visitors and local residents.
Team Leader, Lab of Fish and Wildlife Biology and Management, Syracuse, NY
(2009)
 I led a team to obtain samples for a Bovine immunodeficiency virus study on White-tailed Deer at
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation hunting checkpoints where we explained
the project’s desire to track diseases in regional White-tailed Deer populations to the general public
and obtained permission from local hunters and processing station managers to collect blood and
tissue samples.
Teaching Assistant, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY
(2008)
 I co-instructed weekly General Biology labs encompassing subjects such as laboratory techniques,
basic botanical and zoological forms and functions, ecological interactions, and explained
conservation and resource management concepts to undergraduate students.
 Additionally, I led groups to assess water quality with the Department of Environmental Conservation
of New York.
Research Assistant, Lab of Evolution and Behavior at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
(2007-2009)
 I assisted in collecting audio, vegetation, and avian data for a project on noise pollution and the
evolution of song and sexual selection in the Common Yellow Throat.
 I assisted with a study that looked to understand the maintenance of genetic color polymorphism in
five male color morphs of P. parae and how behavioral and ecological factors contribute to the
persistence of this polymorphism. I also managed the care of 5 tropical fish species for this study.
 I helped initiate and conduct the genetic analysis of plumage variation along an avian hybrid zone of
Bearded Manakins to look at divergent natural and sexual selection in rapid speciation.
 In addition I coordinated lab use, projects, and care, kept the lab up to date with IACUC regulations,
and facilitated lab cleanliness and product readiness.
Archivist, The Green Thumb, Naples, NY
(2005)
 I managed the collection, organization, and preparation of botanical, historical, and correspondence
material for Cornell University archives.
PUBLICATIONS
Love CN, Candy J, O’Brien C, Jones KL, and Lance SL (In preparation) Development of polymorphic
microsatellite markers for Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta). Draft available upon request.
Love CN and Stein AC (Under Review with Casarka) Current Status of Waterfowl in Southern Amur Oblast,
Russian Federation: Spring Abundance and Species Composition.
Lance SL, Love CN, Nunziata SO, O’Bryhim JR, Scott DE, Flynn RW, Soteropoulos DL, Hagen C, and Jones
KL (2013) 32 Species Validation of a New Illumina Paired-end Approach For The Development of
Microsatellites. PLOS ONE.
Love CN, Flynn RW, Nunziata SO, Jones KL, and Lance SL (2013) Development of polymorphic
microsatellite markers for the Mole Salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum). Conservation Genetics
Resources.
Barthelmess E, Love CN, Jones KL, Lance SL (2013) Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers for
the North American porcupine, Erethizon dorsatum, using paired-end Illumina sequencing. Conservation
Genetics Resources.
Harrison E, Love CN, Jones KL, Lance SL, Trexler JC, and Collins T (2013) Isolation and characterization of
18 novel polymorphic microsatellite markers from the Mayan cichlid (Cichlasoma urophthalmus).
Conservation Genetics Resources DOI 10.1007/s12686-013-9886-8.
Love CN, Hagen C, Horne BD, Jones KL, Lance SL (2012) Development and characterization of thirty novel
microsatellite markers for the critically endangered Myanmar Roofed Turtle, Batagur trivittata, and cross
amplification in the Painted River Terrapin, B. borneoensis, and the Southern River Terrapin, B. affinis,
using paired-end Illumina shotgun sequencing. Conservation Genetics Resources DOI 10.1007/s12686012-9809-0.
Stoutamore JL, Love CN, Lance SL, Jones KL, Tallmon D (2012) Development of polymorphic microsatellite
markers for the blue king crab (Paralithodes platypus). Conservation Genetics Resources 4:897-899 DOI
10.1007/s12686-012-9668-8.
PRESENTATIONS
Love CN, Winzeler ME*, Nunziata SO, D.E. Scott DE, Lance SL (Sep 2013) Prevalence of Two Amphibian
Diseases on the Savannah River Site. Georgia Wildlife Society.
Lance SL*, Love CN, Winzeler, Schyler O. Nunziata, David E. Scott (Jul 2013) Prevalence of two amphibian
diseases, ranavirus and chytridiomycosis, in contaminated and uncontaminated sites on the Savannah
River Site. Wildlife Disease Association.
Lance SL, Love CN*, Nunziata SO, O’Bryhim JR, Scott DE, Flynn RW, Soteropoulos DL, Hagen C, and Jones
KL (Oct 2012) 32 Species Validation of a New Illumina Paired-end Approach For The Development of
Microsatellites. SouthEast Population, Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics.
Lance SL, Nunziata SO, Love CN*, Flynn RW, and Jones KL. (Feb 2012) A New and Better Method for
Genetic Microsatellite Marker Development Validated in Four Amphibian Species. Southeast Partners in
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.
Love CL*. (Sep 2011) Conducting Research in the Amur-Oblast, Russia. SUNY College of Environmental
Science and Forestry.
ACTIVITIES & AWARDS
Ralph T. King Award from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy, Research Grant
Alpha Xi Sigma Honors Society
Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society
Volunteer English Teacher Santiago, Chile and Alexandrovitch, Russia
(2010)
(2010)
(2008-2009)
(2004-2005)
(2005 & 2010)
SKILLS
Lab Skills: Experience with DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, sequencing, fragment analysis, RAD-seq SNP
development, Illumina library preps, chemical safety, data management, DNA and tissue storage,
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis sample collection, norepinephrine injection in toads, collection of
amphibian skin secretions, and mixing acids, buffers, and reagents as needed.
Field Skills: Developing and conducting surveys using point count, grid transect, and line transect techniques.
Navigating by map and compass or GPS. Experience trapping amphibians, birds, reptiles, or mammals
using funnel traps, drift fences, pit fall traps, mist nets, and Sherman traps. Marking individuals with toe
clips, bands, or fur marks. Experience territory mapping, relocating and observing adult birds, locating
and monitoring nests, and re-sighting color-banded birds. Correctly identifying species and sex of birds,
amphibians, and small mammals in the field. Experience collecting quality blood and tissue samples from
birds, amphibians, and mammals. Experience using telemetry equipment to locate individuals.
Husbandry Skills: Provided care for multiple fish, small mammal, amphibian, reptile, and bird species,
including three endangered bird species.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well with stakeholders, students, peers, the general
public, independently, in groups, and with professionals with and without a scientific background.
Effective at oral and written communication.
Language Skills: Basic Spanish and elementary Russian language skills.
Computer Literacy: MS Word/Excel/Powerpoint/Publisher/Access, Adobe Lightroom/Elements, Paint,
WINDOWS 95/98/00/NT/XP/Vista operating systems, FileMaker Pro, ArcGIS, MARK,
Distance, GeneMapper, Cervus