ASHLEY ASMUS
ashley.asmus@gmail.com
1300 Chicon St  Austin, TX 78702  (512) 636-3421
EDUCATION
The University of Texas at Austin
Middlebury College
Bachelor of Science, Biology
Ecology, Evolution and Behavior track
Expected graduation in December 2011
Geography Major
Fall 2009-Present
2005-2006
Left after three semesters to pursue a job with Americorps*NCCC (see below)
RELEVANT COURSEWORK
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Ecology
Dr. Marty Mass
Summer 2010
General introduction to ecological processes and perspective.
Ecology Lab (Field Ecology) Dr. Larry Gilbert
Spring 2011
Execution of a group project each week using a new field method; six independently written lab reports; independent
narration of the natural history of an acre of the Brackenridge Field Laboratory; independent execution of an
experiment (proposed topic: different identities and activity of detritovores in native vs. exotic grasses).
Field Biology
Dr. Kay McMurray
Spring 2010
Similar to Ecology Lab. Independently designed a project to survey the abundance of lichen on pecan trees at the 80acre Brackenridge Field Laboratory, which were mapped and analyzed in ArcGIS.
Field Geology
Dr. Mark Cloos
May 2010
A small, three-week summer intensive course to learn methods for geologic mapping, including Brunton compass use,
hand-drawn geologic maps using topographic maps and aerial photos, and cross-section diagrams. Extensive field
trips in central Texas eventually led to a comprehensive understanding of the geologic history of the region.
Fluvial Geomorphology
Dr. Paul Hudson
Spring 2010
An engineering and geology-based class that taught the fundamentals of river dynamics working up the scale from
precipitation and sediment size to throughflow and watersheds. Emphasis was especially on anthropogenic influence
on river dynamics, using the examples of the Mississippi and Rhine Rivers.
Microbial Ecology
Dr. Christine Hawkes
Spring 2011
An ecological perspective for the study of microbes, with a special emphasis on soil biology.
Biostatistics
Dr. James Bryant
Spring 2011
General statistical methods, and group project and presentation based on survey data collected on campus. Intensive
weekly labs led to proficiency in SPSS 16.0.
Introductory and Advanced GIS
Dr. Jennifer Miller
Spring and Fall 2010
Software experience coupled with an extensive overview of spatial statistics. Labs involved producing several
deliverables (maps and descriptive statistics) using different GIS methods each week. The Advanced course required
the completion of an independent project and paper (topic: Problems of Scale in Predicting the Spread of an Invasive
Species—Purple Loosestrife in North America).
Evolution
Dr. Sharon Hedtke
Spring 2011
General introduction to the concepts and methods behind evolutionary biology.
Biology of Birds (Ornithology) with Lab
Dr. Peter English
Spring 2011
General ornithology with a strong field component, which emphasizes keeping an independent bird list with a
minimum of 100 native species. Weekly class birding field trips were an integral part of the class, as was a trip to High
Island to observe the Spring migration.
LAB EXPERIENCE
REU Intern in Plant Ecology, Research Assistant
Dr. Tom Juenger and Dr. David Lowry
June 2011-Present
Switchgrass Research Project
 Independent execution of a cross between two switchgrass ecotypes to map QTLs (in progress)
 Independent collections trip to East Texas
 Independent execution of a common garden experiment observing variation among switchgrass populations
collected across Texas (in progress)
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Flow cytometry to estimate ploidy levels for the switchgrass
Independent management of greenhouse and large outdoor garden experiments
Lab Assistant
Dr. Larry Gilbert and Dr. Robert Plowes
August 2010-Present
Fire Ant Lab, University of Texas Department of Integrative Biology
 Independent execution of a behavioral experiment looking for genetic determinants of aggression
 DNA extractions and PCR
 General caretaking for fire ants
Lab Volunteer
Amanda Kenney , PhD. Candidate (past Botany Lab TA)
January 2011-Present
Juenger Lab
 Helping with some basic lab work in Ms. Kenney’s research about heritability and fitness of various traits in
scarlet gillia
 Weighing over five hundred leaves to the nearest microgram on a chemical scale; counting gillia seeds for over
five hundred replicates.
FIELD SKILLS
 Brunton and standard compass use
 GPS use
 Mapping using GPS and by hand (pacing, aerial maps, topographic maps)
 Kick-test method for surveying aquatic invertebrate biodiversity in streams
 Point-quarter survey technique
 LICOR LI-6400 Fluorescence Monitoring using “Portable” monitors
SOFTWARE PROFICIENCY
 ESRI ArcInfo 9.3 and 10.0 and GEODA mapping software
 Excel, incl. Pivot Tables function
 SPSS 16.0
 Gap Light Analyzer
 Adobe Photoshop
NATIONAL SERVICE
Student Conservation Association- Backcountry Patrol Intern; Castolon, Texas
February-May 2008
 Helped law enforcement monitor trail and road use, maintained backcountry campsites, and helped enforce
rules and permit regulations.
 The majority of the time in the position was spent hiking or backcountry road driving solo.
Americorps*NCCC- Corps Member; Gulf Coast Region (Denver based)
January-November 2007
 A ten-month national service program for youth 18-24 years old; youth travel in teams to four different
projects over the term of service
 Three of the four terms were in post-Katrina construction
 Execution of projects with the team in an intensely group-oriented environment (the same ten people for ten
months)
 Three months of independent management of groups of volunteers in framing homes for Habitat for
Humanity
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
I can drive 4-wheel-drive and manual shift vehicles, and can comfortably use various power tools. In my free time I row with a
competitive master’s rowing team for women. I like to camp, hike, ride my bicycle, and get outdoors in general. I love to
travel, and recently saved up for and then went on a three-week trip to India.
REFERENCES
Dr. Tom Juenger
tjuenger@austin.utexas.edu
+1 (512) 232 5751
The University of Texas at Austin
Section of Integrative Biology, College of Natural Sciences
1 University Station C0930
Austin, TX 78712
Associate Professor, Section of Integrative Biology
Jacob Malcolm
Jacob.malcolm@utexas.edu
+1 (512) 906-7047
The University of Texas at Austin
Section of Integrative Biology, College of Natural Sciences
1 University Station C0930
Austin, TX 78712
Lab and Field Instructor for Ornithology
Dr. Robert Plowes
rob.plowes@mail.utexas.edu
+1 (512) 471 2825
The University of Texas at Austin
Section of Integrative Biology, College of Natural Sciences
1 University Station C0930
Austin, TX 78712
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Fire Ant Lab
Dr. Jennifer Miller
Director of GIS Science, Department of Geography and the Environment
Jennifer.miller@austin.utexas.edu
The University of Texas at Austin
Department of Geography and the Environment, College of Liberal Arts
1 University Station A3100
Austin, TX 78712