Deja Perkins
The Geospatial Urban Birder
RESUME
Education
North Carolina State University
Ph.D. Geospatial Analytics
​2021 - 2025
North Carolina State University
M.Sc in Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation Biology
​2018 - 2020
Mississippi State University
Non Degree Seeking Student
Wildlife Fisheries and Aquaculture
2017-2018
Tuskegee University
B.S. in Environmental Science, Natural Resources and Plant Sciences; Wildlife Concentration
​2014 - 2018
Skills
R
QGIS & ArcGIS
GRASS GIS
Microsoft Office
Google G Suit
Basic Web Design
Photography
Videography
Languages
Research
experience​
Triangle Bird Count Research Technician
2018-2020
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Conducted avian point count surveys.
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Created maps using ArcMap looking at greenspaces, bird occurrence data and income data layers
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Created story maps using arc online and arc map.
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Managed program volunteers and organized program training workshops.
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Collected 360 images for VR outreach programs and future vegetation analysis.
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Created new content to update website as needed
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Designed bird based activities for community engagement programs
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USDA Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center Animal Care and Research Intern
Starkville Mississippi
​2017-2018
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Collected routine health parameters such as blood samples, body temperatures and fecal samples from Great Egrets and feral swine, as well as administer euthanasia at close of study.
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Performed necropsies of Double Crested Cormorants and Lesser Scaup and retrieve various body samples including feathers, muscle tissue, sub-q fat, blood, liver, upper and lower GI as well as gained experience sexing Double Crested Cormorants and Lesser Scaup.
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Performed stomach content analysis of Double Crested Cormorants and Lesser Scaup, gaining experience with fish ID, macro-invertebrate ID and seed ID.
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Provide daily animal care for research animals including feeding and cleaning.
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Completed data collection for various projects.
Georgia Tech Urban Honey Bee REU
​2017-2017
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Conducted independent toxicology research on honey bee larvae.
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Became familiar with proper lab safety, common lab tools, and became comfortable working with common chemicals within a lab.
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Conducted hive inspections and maintenance in 4 different hives across Atlanta
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English (Native)
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Field
Experience
Audubon Coastal Resilience Intern
2020
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Monitored Pelican Nests
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Banded Royal Terns
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Created strategic plan for engaging new research partners
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Created "priority species" document for restoration project
Bird Banding
2018
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Assisted with the capture of red tailed hawks using Bal-cha-tri traps. Restrained Red-tailed Hawks while wing chord, weight and other measurements were taken
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Released song birds after capture and banding from mist netting procedures during Ornithology lab
Bird ID
2018
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Experience with Eastern North American bird ID through both sight and sound through field intensive Ornithology course.
Development
Experience
2020
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Co-organized inaugural #BlackBirdersWeek online social media campaign.
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Organized Facebook Livestream Discussion #BirdingWhileBlack for #BlackBirdersWeek
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Led a bird walk and intro to citizen science program for 66 6th graders during Carrington Middle School’s Inaugural Science Day.
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Led a bird banding demonstration and bird walk for Raleigh Parks 2020 Youth Conservation Program.
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2019
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Assisted in organizing the 2019 Southeast CASC Regional Science Symposium
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Organized the Research Poster Session for the 2019 Southeast Climate Adaptation Center Regional Science Symposium.
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Planned the “Food and Water Security under a Changing Climate” Seminar for the USGS Global Change Fellow Seminar Series at NCSU.
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Assisted with the planning of the “Wildfire Management Under a Changing Climate” seminar for the USGS Global Change Fellow Seminar Series at NCSU.
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Created interactive activities including 360 habitat videos and bird ID games for Museum of Life and Science (Durham, NC) Visitors.
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Created bird watching activities for 45+ high school students at NCSU Environmental Career Day.
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2018
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Assisted the website development for the R.L Rabb Science Research Symposium held at NCSU.