Project Assistant

Lisa Cowart

**** ****** ******, ******** ****, NC 28557

PHONE: 352-***-****, EMAIL: ****.******@*****.***

EDUCATION

M.S. GEOLOGY

(2005 - 2009)

East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

Thesis: Analyzing Estuarine Shoreline Change in Coastal North Carolina

http://thescholarship.ecu.edu/handle/10342/1897

B.S. Environmental Science

(2002 - 2004)

University of Florida, Gainesville, Fl

Honor's Thesis: Structural allocation of a stilt-rooted palm (Socratea

durissima) in sloped topography

SKILLS

Expert with the following software: ESRI ArcGIS, ArcPad, SPSS, Microsoft

Word/Excel

Coastal mapping

Spatial data and statistical analysis

Aerial Photographic Interpretation

Georeferencing spatial data

Organic Matter removal

Particle size distribution analysis

GPS data collection and equipment use

Water sampling and processing techniques

Sediment sample collection techniques, including Geoprobe core collection,

hand augering, and push cores via boat

YSI and LI-COR data collection

Crew, deckhand, and boat experience

Familiar with R statistical analysis software

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

National Ocean and Atmosphere Administration Center for Coastal Fisheries

and Habitat Research, JHT Contractor

Marine Biologist (September 2009 - Present)

Project Title: Defense Coastal/Estuarine Research Program

Analyze shoreline change and shoreline characterization within the New

River Estuary.

Analyze aerial photography shoreline characterization compared to

shoreline characterization conducted in the field

Assist in marsh organ sample collection

Assist in water sampling collection and processing, including PA, CDOM,

TSS, and turbidity

Assist in YSI and LI-COR data collection

Assist in sediment samples and benthic chlorophyll sample collections

Marine Biologist Technician (June 2008 - September 2009)

Project Title: Defense Coastal/Estuarine Research Program

Performed shoreline change analysis in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway

in NC

Performed shoreline delineation within the New River Estuary, NC

Created a shoreline classification scheme and conducted field operations

to classify shoreline

Mapped shoreline and vegetation using GPS equipment

Assisted in field data collection related to marsh elevation, i.e., SETs,

cryocores, etc.

Characterized the New River Estuary shoreline and vegetation zones in the

field using Trimble GPS equipment and ArcGIS software

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (continued)

East Carolina University

Graduate Research Assistant (June 2005 - Aug. 2008)

Project Title: Shoreline-Zone Dynamics in Response to Sea Level Rise in

North Carolina

Researched and obtained remote sensing data and created a spatial dataset

Developed shoreline change methodology for multiple parameter evaluation

Greenhouse Assistant (Feb. 2006 - May 2008)

Cared for plants including: splitting, propagating, and germinating

Cruise Research Assistant (March 24- 27, 2006)

R/V Hatteras; Onslow Bay. Paleo-channels as conduits of submarine

groundwater discharge

Collected Chirp and in situ real-time radon monitoring data

University of Florida, Geoplan Center

Literature Reviewer/Code Analyst (Aug. 2004 - June 2005)

Project Title: A GIS decision support model to assess recreational, land

use, and land management impacts on district lands

Obtained and reviewed literature pertaining to species sensitivity and

habitat requirements

Debugged species modules

University of Florida, Soil and Water Science Mineralogy Lab

Lab Technician/Lab Manager Interim

(Sept. 2003 -June 2005)

Project Title: Manure-derived components and their influence on long-term

stability of phosphorus in soils

Processed samples using total Phosphorus (Ignition method) and Particle

Size Distribution Analysis

Performed pH and electric conductivity testing

Performed texture analysis, density separations, organic matter removal,

and ammonium oxalate procedures

Prepared SEM mounts and XRD slides

Project Title: Solid-state characterization of particulate phosphorus

within the Everglades Agricultural Area and downstream watersheds

Performed carbonate and organic matter removal procedures

Prepared SEM mounts

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Barro Colorado Island, Panama

Research Assistant

(May 2003 - Aug. 2003)

Project Titles: Trade-offs of tropical tree seedlings

Conducted survival and productivity census

Processed seedling samples and collected weight, length, and leaf area

data

Project Title: Carbon allocation to storage as a basis for trade-offs

between growth and survival

Designed and constructed shade house treatment based on specific criteria

Measured and collected productivity and survival of greenhouse seedlings

Project Title: Biomechanical properties of tropical tree seedlings as a

defense mechanism against physical damage in contrasting light

environments

Constructed field plots

Measured and recorded data on flexibility of seedlings

PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS

Cowart, L., Walsh, J.P., and Corbett, D.R. 2010. Analyzing Estuarine

Shoreline Change: A Case Study of Cedar Island, NC. Journal of Coastal

Research 26(5) 817-830

Cowart, L. Currin, C., Fonseca, M., and Malhotra, A. 2010. Analyzing

Shoreline Change in the New River Estuary (NRE), The Coastal Society's

22nd International Conference Poster Presentation.

Corbett, D. R., Walsh, J. P., Cowart, L., Riggs, S. R., Ames, D. V., and

Culver, S. J. 2008 Shoreline change within the Albemarle-Pamlico

Estuarine System, North Carolina. White Paper. Available

online:http://www.coastal.geology.ecu.edu/NCCOHAZ/downloads/NC%20Estuarin

e%20Shoreline%20Change.pdf

Corbett, D.R., Walsh, J.P., Cowart, L., Mallinson, D., and Culver, S.J.,

2008. Evaluating sediment processes and accumulation patterns, Setiu

Wetlands, Terengganu, Malaysia. Conference on the Current State of

Knowledge of the Setiu Wetlands. Institute of Oceanography, Universiti

Malaysia Terengganu, December 2007, 21p

Cowart, L., Corbett, D.R., Walsh, J.P., and Riggs, S.R. 2007. A GIS

Approach to Estuarine Shoreline Erosion: Cedar Island, North Carolina.

Southeastern GSA Poster Presentation

Cowart, L., Corbett, D.R., and Walsh, J.P. 2007. Analysis of Shoreline

Change within the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System, North Carolina.

Estuarine Research Federation Poster Presentation

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Sailing

Kayaking

Surfing

Backpacking

Hiking

Camping

Biking (mountain and road)

Volleyball (sand and indoor)

Photography

Pottery

Mixed Media Art

Baking

Cooking

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