SUSAN (HILBER) PIACENZA
3360 NE CANTERBURY CIRCLE • CORVALLIS, OR 97330
PHONE 305-304-7099 • E-MAIL [email protected]
EDUCATION
2011-present
Oregon State University , Corvallis, OR
Ph.D. Fisheries Science in progress
Dissertation: “Developing Quantitative Tools to Evaluate Recovery in Green Sea Turtles,
Chelonia mydas”
Advisor: Selina Heppell
2003-2006
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
M.S. Coastal Marine Ecology
Thesis: “Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Feeding and Food in Three Species of Mellitid
Sand Dollars”
Advisor: John Lawrence
1998-2002
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
B.S. Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
Areas of Concentration: Ecology and Evolution
Thesis: “Ontogenetic Shifts in Habitat Preference of the Queen Conch, Strombus gigas”
2001
School for Field Studies, Center for Marine Resource Studies, South Caicos,
Turks and Caicos Islands
Semester Abroad Experience
Areas of Concentration: Marine Ecology and Marine Conservation
GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS
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NOAA Fisheries/Sea Grant Population Dynamics Fellowship, Oregon State University, (tuition,
stipend, travel, 2012-2015, $115,500)
GRANTS AND AWARDS RECEIVED
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Mastin Travel Award, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 2013,
$1,013
Graduate Student Travel Award, the Graduate School, Oregon State University, 2013, $500
Oregon Sea Grant, “Taking Stock of Oregon’s nearshore fisheries: development of simple
assessment tools for better management,” co-author with Linsey Arnold and Selina Heppell,
$163,000
Academic Scholarship, West Group, Inc., 1999-2002
School for Field Studies Academic Scholarship, 2001
Lower Division Major Honors, University of Minnesota, 1998-2000
Dean’s List, University of Minnesota, 1999
RESEARCH AND RELATED EXPERIENCE
2012
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Research Assistant – Dimensions of Biodiversity Distributed Graduate Seminar
Graduate Student Lead for OSU’s project, Biodiversity mapping of fishes and
macroinvertebrates in the Northeast Pacific: bridging the gap between fisheries science
and conservation biology. Organizes and coordinates other OSU graduate students
involved in the project. Communicates and collaborates with other university programs
involved in this NSF-funded project. Goals include mapping biodiversity indices along
the shelf and slope of WA, OR, and CA, and producing journal articles and presenting at
scientific conferences.
2010 - 2011
Marine Resources Program, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Newport, OR
Marine Fisheries Analyst – Program Leader
Conducted fishery research projects pertaining to catch and effort estimation and
biological characteristics of fished species. Constructed fishery regulation assessment
models. Developed information for stock assessments, stock assessment reviews,
agency informational reports and peer-reviewed publications. Reviewed and
recommended adjustments to commercial and recreational programs. Sat as the ODFW
representative on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and
Statistical Committee and on the technical subcommittee of the US-Canada groundfish
committee.
2008 - 2010
Fish and Wildlife Health Section, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, FWC, St.
Petersburg, FL
Biological Scientist
Conducted histological analysis of fish and invertebrate tissues. Provided statistical
analysis of fish health research. Executed necropsies and histological preparation of
tissues. Responded to Fish Kill Hotline calls, and conducted field investigations of
affected specimens and sites. Entered and proofed data in a MS Access database and
maintained other spreadsheets in regard to genetics and fish health specimens.
Supported aquaria and upheld good fish husbandry practices. Participated in field
sampling of healthy and diseased sport fish.
2006 - 2007
Wetlands Management Division, Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough
County, Tampa, FL
Environmental Scientist
Conducted wetland delineations. Routinely analyzed soil survey maps and aerial
photography. Utilized GIS programs to qualify habitat types. Performed research to
assist in implementing the mangrove trimming program and educated other staff
members about effects of mangrove trimming. Reviewed construction plans for impacts
to wetlands. Also reviewed other types of plans, such as wetland buffer setback
encroachments, Tampa Port Authority permits, and miscellaneous activities in wetlands.
Assisted citizens with questions regarding the Wetlands Management program.
Conducted file history reviews to assist citizens with property development goals.
2006
Environmental Resource Monitoring Division, Environmental Protection Commission of
Hillsborough County, Tampa, FL
Environmental Technician
Identified and sorted benthic invertebrates to appropriate taxonomic group using a
microscope. Samples were from sites in Tampa Bay and local rivers. In addition,
assisted in field work to obtain benthic samples, utilizing a grab sampler and Hydrolab.
Samples were used to evaluate diversity and community structure in areas of Tampa
Bay subject to environmental damage.
2004
West Coast Connection Montreal, Canada
Food Director, California Extreme Trip
Charged with budgeting, planning, and carrying out meals for a 26-day camping trip for
a traveling teen camp. Assisted the tour director in supervising and helping camp
participants through a series of challenging outdoor activities, including rock climbing,
whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and surfing. Required to have current certification
in CPR, First Aid and life guarding.
2001
University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN
Research Intern, BioCON
Routinely identified the plant species used in the experiment, sort aboveground and
belowground biomass, harvested root cores and biomass strips, assisted with nitrogen
mineralization analysis, and took light and time-domain reflectometry readings. Most
work was conducted outside in grasslands, despite high temperatures, rainstorms,
humidity, and insects. In addition, processed field samples in the laboratory.
1998 - 2002
Voyageurs National Park Association, Minneapolis, MN
Student Intern
Wrote articles, essays, and took photographs for the quarterly newsletter, Voyageurs
News. Assisted in editing and organizing the publishing of Birds of Voyageurs National
Park, A Guide to the Birds of the Border Country, a book written and produced by
members of the Voyageurs National Park Association. Wrote grant proposals and
assisted in fundraising projects. In charge of all member correspondence, organized
mass mailings, and managed membership files. Maintained a media file about
Voyageurs National Park. Helped coordinate member meetings and quarterly member
outings to the park.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2013
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Teaching Assistant – FW 445/545 Ecological Restoration
Collaborated on curriculum development, assisted students with group restoration
project development, met with students upon request, and graded written work.
2011
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Teaching Assistant – FW 255 Field Sampling
Collaborated on curriculum development, assisted students with field research project
development, met with students upon request, and graded written work.
2007 - 2008
Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, FL
Adjunct Instructor – Environmental Science, Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory
I, Diet and Nutrition
Developed syllabus and overall course structure, and administered all grades.
2007 - 2008
Pasco-Hernando CC, New Port Richey, FL
Adjunct Instructor – Introduction to Oceanography, Introduction to Environmental
Science, Introduction to Biology
Developed syllabus and overall course structure, and administered all grades.
2007
Science Center of Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, FL
Instructor
Instructed grade school students on principles and concepts in science. Conducted lab
experiments and field exploratory activities with children. Responsible for developing
class plans for week-long summer camp classes.
2004 - 2006
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Teaching Assistant – Biology 2010 and Biology 2011
Collaborated on curriculum and exam development, met with students upon request,
and graded all written work, including final exam papers.
2002
Seacamp Association, Inc., Big Pine Key, FL
Marine Science Instructor
Utilized snorkeling and scuba diving to provide first-hand environmental education to
campers. Responsible for creating lesson plans. Led evening programs, open water life
guarding, general supervision of campers, assisted other classes and SCUBA open water
certification dives.
PUBLICATIONS
Piacenza, SE, AK Barner, CE Benkwitt, KS Boersma, EB Cerny-Chipman, KE Ingeman, TL
Kindinger, AJ Lindsley, J Nelson, JN Reimer, JC Rowe, C Shen, KA Thompson, LL Thurman, and SS
Heppell. A method for evaluating temporal variation in biodiversity hotspots. In preparation.
TT Cody, SE Piacenza, E Leone, and J Landsberg. Integration of Stocked Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)
with the Wild Population in Tampa Bay, FL. In preparation.
Piacenza, SE, AK Barner, CE Benkwitt, KS Boersma, EB Cerny-Chipman, KE Ingeman, TL
Kindinger, JD Lee, AJ Lindsley, JN Reimer, JC Rowe, C Shen, KA Thompson, LL Thurman, and SS
Heppell. Complex patterns and variation of soft sediment benthic biodiversity in a large marine
ecosystem. In review: Ecosphere.
Piacenza, SE, GH Balazs, S Hargrove, PM Richards, SS Heppell. 2013. Developing quantitative tools to
evaluate recovery in green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas: A research prospectus. Proceedings of
the 33rd Annual International Sea Turtle Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation,
Baltimore, MA. Compiled by T. Tucker, L. Belskis, A. Panagopoulou, A. Rees, M. Frick, K.
Williams, R. LeRoux, and K. Stewart. NOAA Tech Memo 645: 236. Abstract only.
Hilber, SE and JM Lawrence. 2009. Analysis of sediment and gut contents of the sand dollars Mellita
tenuis, Encope michelini, and Encope aberrans off the central Florida Gulf coast. Gulf of Mexico
Science 27(1): 74-81.
Hilber, SE and JM Lawrence. 2005. Population characteristics of the sand dollars Mellita tenuis and
Encope michelini off the central Gulf coast of Florida. Florida Scientist 68 (supplement 1): 30-31.
Abstract only.
INVITED PRESENTATIONS
Piacenza, SE. 2013. Developing quantitative tools to evaluate recovery in green sea turtles, Chelonia
mydas. NOAA Southeast Fishery Science Center, Miami, FL.
Piacenza, SE, G Balazs, S Hargrove, P Richards, and S Heppell. 2013. Developing quantitative tools to
evaluate recovery of green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas. Annual NOAA Population Dynamics
Fellows Meeting, NOAA Northeast Fishery Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.
Piacenza, SE. 2013. Marine Species and Ecosystem Recovery. Guest Lecture, FW 445/545 Ecological
Restoration, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
CONTRIBUTED PRESENTATIONS
*denotes a poster presentation
Piacenza, SE, G Balazs, S Hargrove, P Richards, and SS Heppell. Temporal variability of vital rates for a
recovering population of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas): Potential indicators for population
recovery? Western Society of Naturalists, Oxnard, CA. 8-10 November 2013.
*Piacenza, SE, G Balazs, S Hargrove, P Richards, and SS Heppell. Developing quantitative tools to
evaluate recovery in green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas: a research prospectus. International Sea
Turtle Symposium, Baltimore, MD. 4-8 February 2013.
Hilber, SE, AK Barner, CE Benkwitt, KS Boersma, EB Cerny-Chipman, KE Ingeman, TL
Kindinger, JD Lee, AJ Lindsley, JN Reimer, JC Rowe, C Shen, KA Thompson, LL Thurman, and SS
Heppell. Spatiotemporal trends in marine biodiversity in the Northeast Pacific: Linking patterns
to climate and fisheries management. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Portland,
OR. 5-10 August 2012.
Lawrence, JM, J Cobb, S Hilber, and J Swigart. Characteristics of populations of the sand dollars Encope
michelini and Encope aberrans off the central Florida Gulf coast. Society for Integrative and
Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL. 4-8 January 2006.
*Hilber, SE and JM Lawrence. Population characteristics of the sand dollars Mellita tenuis and Encope
michelini off the central Gulf coast of Florida. Florida Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting,
Tampa, FL. 17-19 March 2005.
PUBLIC OUTREACH AND MEDIA COVERAGE
Walker, C. 2013. Collaboration: A problem shared. Nature 499: 115-117.
Piacenza, S. 2013. “A tale of a turtle model(er).” Turtles in the Deep Blog, Peavey, L. (Word Press), 26
March 2013. Retrieved from http://turtlesinthedeep.org/
Kight, P. “OSU grad student wins NMFS fellowship.” Breaking Waves Blog, Oregon Sea Grant (Word
Press MU), 19 June 2012. Retrieved from
http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/breakingwaves/2012/06/19/osu-grad-student-wins-nmfsfellowship/
SERVICE AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
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Co-Secretary, Fisheries and Wildlife Graduate Student Association, Department of Fisheries and
Wildlife, Oregon State University, 2012-present
Graduate Student Committee Member, Promotion and Tenure Review Committee, Department
of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 2011
Guest Presenter, Great American Teach-In, Starkey Elementary School, 2008, 2009
Guest Presenter, Summer Splash Camp, University of South Florida, 2009, 2010
Guest Presenter, Marine Science Camp for Girls, College of Marine Science, University of South
Florida, 2008
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
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Western Society of Naturalists
Ecological Society of America
International Sea Turtle Society
LANGUAGES
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English – native language
French – speak, read and write with proficiency