Research assistant and PADI advanced open water
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I gained significant ecological surveying experience during a course at Utila (Honduras). Where I worked as a research assistant for Operation Wallacea, and trained over a 6 week period in Caribbean reef ecology and surveying techniques. I also assisted a research team into tropical ecosystem ecology, conducting linear transects to survey bivalve and arthropod diversity within fallen mangrove material. I then helped investigate sea sponge diversity and distribution using fixed linear transects and quadrat sampling to survey reef systems. I concluded my trip by carrying out controlled culls and dissections of lionfish. By participating in various research roles I also became proficient in multiple sampling and analysis techniques, whilst integrating and performing effectively within a variety of research teams.