George Zaragoza

acajcw@r.postjobfree.com

559-***-****

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science: Biological Sciences 2012

University of California, Davis

Emphasis in Evolution, Ecology, and Biodiversity

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Jay Rosenheim Laboratory of Ecology and Entomology Davis, CA

University of California, Davis

Lab Assistant August 2013-Present

Managed and maintained study site equipment and conducted experimental field surveys.

Constructed and managed irrigation system at Stebbins Cold Canyon field site.

Created terraces on field site hillsides for experiments.

Conducted insect surveys of plant populations.

Collaborated with international exchange students to gather specimens for student projects in

northern California.

Research Intern April 2012-July 2013

Performed experiments observing and manipulating interactions between herbivores, predators,

parasitoids, and hosts. Developed choice-experiments in the laboratory observing predator responses to

volatile cues.

Transported materials and plant specimens to remote field sites, often through steep terrain and

temperatures above 100 F.

Designed and conducted experiments observing preference of Pselliopis spinocollis (assassin

bug) to volatiles released by Madia elegans (tarweed) plants.

Used olfactometer to conduct choice-experiments.

Brian Todd Laboratory of Herpetology and Conservation Davis, CA

University of California, Davis

Junior Specialist October 2012-August 2013

Recorded and analyzed movement patterns of Western Pond Turtles(Emys marmorata) at the USDA San

Joaquin Experimental Range in California.

Trained assistants in using telemetry equipment and navigating with GPS.

Used ArcGIS to interpret home ranges and movement patterns.

Used hoop net traps to capture turtles and record health and condition.

Attached transmitters to newly captured turtles.

Western Pond Turtle Research Assistant June 2012-September 2012

Used radio telemetry to monitor movement of Western Pond Turtles at the USDA San Joaquin

Experimental Range in California.

Used telemetry equipment including receivers, antenna, GPS, and conducted work in foothill

terrain.

Remained at field site over several nights for preliminary tracking.

Conducted habitat measurements including descriptions of native California flora, fauna,

protection, terrain, and arboreal cover.

Northern Watersnake Research Volunteer July 2011-October 2012

Assessed trapping efficiency and demography of an invasive population of Northern Watersnakes

(Nerodia sipedon).

Set and check drift fence and funnel traps for novel and native snakes.

Recorded information about snakes including species, sex, length, health, and identified

previously marked snakes.

Euthanized invasive snakes.

Artyom Kopp Laboratory of Evolution and Ecology Davis, CA

University of California, Davis

Research Assistant July 2011-May 2013

Studied the susceptibility of various fruit to Drosophila suzukii ovipositor punctures, and studied the

development of ovipositors in pupae using antibody staining techniques.

Trained other undergraduate researchers in dissection and mounting techniques.

Developed ovipositor dissection methods for mounting on slides and use in photographs.

Set up Drosophila dissections, digestions, chemical washes, and RNA extractions.

Used toxic chemicals such as parafomaldehyde and phalloidin.

Created quarterly presentations of research.

PUBLICATIONS

Zaragoza, G., J. P. Rose, K. Purcell, and B.D. Todd. In Review. Terrestrial habitat use by Western Pond

Turtles (Actinemys marmorata) in the Sierra Foothills. Journal of Herpetology.

Atallah, J., L. Teixeira, R. Salazar, G. Zaragoza, and A. Kopp. In Review. The making of a pest: The

evolution of a fruit penetrating ovipositor in Drosophila suzukii and its close relatives.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

PRESENTATIONS

Atallah, J., L. Teixeira, R. Salazar, G. Zaragoza, and A. Kopp. “The making of a pest: The

evolution of a fruit penetrating ovipositor in Drosophila suzukii and its close relatives.” Evolution

2013. Snowbird Alpine Village, Snowbird, UT. 22 June 2013.

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