Nicole Barbour
3211 Gettysburg Court Marina, CA 93933
(714) 631-3359
nbarbour@csumb.edu
EDUCATION
Cal State Monterey Bay (expected graduation with B.S., Fall 2016)
Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, Fall 2011-Fall 2014
AS degree in Natural Sciences
Dean’s List, 3.5 GPA
Goals: Bachelors and Masters in Marine Biology
Many Natural Science coursework, including:
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Oceanography Lecture and Lab (Fall 2011, Grade A)
Coastal Oceanography (Spring 2012, Grade A)
Intertidal Ecology (Fall 2012, Grade A)
Grey Whale Ecology (Fall 2012, Grade A)
Marine Mammals (Spring 2013, Grade A)
Cell/Molecular Biology (Fall 2013, Grade B)
Diversity of Organisms Biology (Spring 2014, Grade A)
Island Ecology (Fall 2014, Grade A)
Marine Biology (Fall 2014, Grade A)
Animal Physiology (Spring 2015, Grade A)
RELATED EXPERIENCE
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Aquarium of the Pacific Photo-ID Intern, Summer-Fall 2014: interned under the Aquarium of the
Pacific (Kera Mathes) collecting behavioral data and photo ID on different cetaceans on whalewatch
boats out of Long Beach harbor. Work included interpreting to Aquarium guests and doing data and
photo processing to be sent to the Aquarium’s whale app and Cascadia Research Collective; around
15 hrs per week for 12 weeks.
Summer Camp Science Instructor at Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Summer 2014: lead
science instructor working with kids ages 8-11 (4th and 5th grade) through Powerpoint presentations,
experiments, and “field work” in learning about pinniped rehabilitation, biology, and environmental
awareness; 6-7 hours per day for 4 weeks.
Coastal Dolphins of Orange County (CDOC) Intern, Summer 2013: interned under Dr. Kayla
Causey of CSUF conducting research on coastal bottlenose dolphins through a combination of
fieldwork (boat and shore), laboratory work, and literature/research projects workshops; around 20
hours per week for 12 weeks.
ACS Naturalist on Whalewatch Boats, Winter-Spring 2014: volunteered under the American
Cetacean Society (ACS) educating visitors in a public speaking environment about the cetaceans and
marine life they encounter going out of Newport Landing and Dana Wharf whalewatch boats; one
whale watch per week.
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Research Coordinator for Coastal Dolphin Survey Project (CDSP), Spring 2014: Partner with
Professor Karen Baker and Professor Dennis Kelly at Orange Coast College in educating community
college students with an enthusiasm for dolphins and research in basic field research techniques
(shore and boat), photo ID, data entry, and lab/research work.
Educator at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Fall 2013-Spring 2014: work to educate visitors
about the Center and the injured seals and sea lions rehabilitated there, along with proper care and
management of our oceans and animals; one 3 hour shift per week.
President of ACS-OC Student Group, Summer 2013-Summer 2014: Partnered with the American
Cetaeean Society’s Orange County chapter in leading college students and marine mammal
enthusiasts in the application of their knowledge through public education, marine conservation, and
fieldtrips/workshops.
Teaching Assistant for Biology, Diversity of Organisms, Fall 2014: TA for Professor Jill Parsell at
Orange Coast College working with college students teaching lab techniques, understanding of
experiments, and assisting professor in grading.
Teaching Assistant for Oceanography, Spring 2013-Fall 2013: TA for Professor Dennis Kelly
(Spring) and Karen Baker (fall) working with college students in understanding of lab techniques and
experiments and assisting professor in grading of assignments and quizzes.
Summer UROC Research Intern at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Summer 2015:
Partnered with a graduate student at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and was funded by UROC
(Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center) at CSUMB to design an independent summer
research project that involved research methodology development, data collection, and research
presented in the form of a poster at a symposium; 10 hrs/week from June-August.
WORK
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Marine Landscape Ecology Lab Undergraduate Researcher, Present: Work as an undergraduate
researcher at the Marine Landscape Ecology Lab at CSUMB on the Geomorphology Project, which
combines data analysis, data collection and methodology experience on a boat, and writing/literature
review skills.
Educator at Return of the Natives Restoration Education Project, Present: Partner with local
schools and communities in educating children and the public about local ecosystems and their
restoration through hands-on activities, classroom presentations, and community projects.
Barista at East Village Coffee Lounge, Spring 2015-Present: Barista at local Monterey coffee shop;
skills include managing multiple tasks, organization, and customer service, along with developing a
community atmosphere with customers and interacting with people of diverse backgrounds.
Tidepool Educator through Laguna Ocean Foundation, Spring 2014-Winter 2015: educator at
Laguna Beach tidepools, engaging visitors in the beauty and conservation of the diverse ecosystem
through education and friendly guidance in a public speaking environment.
SKILLS
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Knowledgeable about ecosystems, environments, and animals, with a strong interest in marine
biology and ecology
Experienced in presentation, public speaking, demonstration of skills, and working alongside the
public and children in often hectic environments in a way that engages a crowd; also experienced in
microphone use and Powerpoint
Experienced in literature review and writing, with experience in years of college essay writing,
scientific journal article reviews and comprehension, and a personal passion for science
communication through writing
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Skilled in taking complicated, multi-tasked orders, in an organized and professional way,
interpreting directions, acting with quick judgment, and learning quickly
Passion for the natural world and people, with a personal enjoyment for learning about and
observing the complex ecosystems and animals and sharing it with the public and colleagues
Experienced in working with the public, in a variety of conditions and in an engaging, informative
manner that leaves visitors empowered with the wonder and good management of our oceans and
animals
Physically strong and capable of strenuous, tasking work, including the ability to work long
hours standing and engaging with people and duties with the same approach of excellence and a
cheerful attitude
Focused and driven educationally and professionally, always willing to go the “extra mile” and
be prepared for instructions and responsibilities promptly and routinely
AWARDS
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Receiver of Marine Science Teaching Assistant Scholarship, 2013, $500
Receiver of 2014 Garrison Fellow Award for outstanding academic excellence and leadership
CERTIFICATIONS
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Open-Water certification (NAUI), Fall 2011 and Advanced certification in scuba diving (PADI),
Summer 2015
US Sailing Safe Powerboat Handling certification through OCC School of Sailing and Seamanship,
Spring 2014
REFERENCES
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Dr. Michael Navarro, Principle Investigator for the Geomorphology Project at MLEL at CSUMB,
minavarro@csumb.edu
Dr. Corey Garza, Principle Investigator for the Marine Landscape Ecology Lab at CSUMB,
cogarza@csumb.edu
Kera Mathes, head of Aquarium of the Pacific Marine Mammal Photo ID internship and research,
KMathes@LBAOP.ORG
Dr. Kayla Causey, head of CDOC internship and research project,
kcausey@exchange.fullerton.edu
Karen Baker, Professor of Marine Science and Ecology at Orange Coast College, Director of CDSP
Project, kbaker@occ.cccd.edu
Dennis Kelly, former Professor of Marine Science and Ecology at Orange Coast College, Director of
Orange Coast Public Aquarium, and Department Chairman of Marine Science Dept.,
dkelly@mail.occ.cccd.edu
Jill Parsell, Professor of Biology at Orange Coast College, jparsell@occ.cccd.edu
Jeff Rosaler, Director of Research and Education at the Laguna Ocean Foundation, employer,
jrrosaler@gmail.com