Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Sarah MacWhirter

WA

Summary

After completing a Masters in Marine Ecosystem Management in Scotland, I made the move to Australia to be surrounded by coral reefs and other incredible ecosystems I do not have the opportunity to work in back home in the UK. Skilled in research and reporting data and applying findings to real life scenarios such as educating stakeholders and finding solutions to current environmental issues. I understand the importance of recording data accurately and efficiently in the field for when it comes time to analyse findings back at the lab. Experienced in field work both on land, on boats, and while scuba diving. I am well-organised with good communication and problem-solving skills that I enhanced during five years at university and one year working as a Marine Biologist for a tourism operator in Cairns.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Marine Biologist

Great Adventures
03.2023 - 02.2024
  • Daily presentations to up to one hundred people educating customers about the Great Barrier Reef
  • Teaching people about the reefs, diversity of marine life, and different threats the reefs face both human and natural
  • Complete Eye on the Reef Tourism Weekly surveys to monitor the health of the reefs our tour boats would frequently visit to notice changes in the abundance of important species for the reef, early warning signs of issues such as coral bleaching, and any immediate impacts after weather events such as flooding and cyclones in Far North Queensland
  • School education days at Green Island for different age groups, teaching children about the reef at different levels depending on their age range
  • Life guarding duties, safety briefings, teaching customers how to use snorkel equipment properly.

Food and Beverage Attendant

Muddy's Café
01.2023 - 02.2024
  • Working as a barista making high quality coffees as well as fresh juices, smoothies, other cold beverages
  • Keeping clean workstations and working efficiently in a faced past environment with a team
  • Taking food and drink orders and making drink and kitchen staff aware of all dietary requirements
  • Running food and drinks to customers, keeping tables clear of dirty plates, keeping the café looking clean especially during rushes.

Aquatic & Terrestrial Animal Husbandry (Volunteer)

St Andrews Aquarium UK
06.2022 - 08.2022
  • Engaged with visitors to the aquarium, giving them an insight to the life of the aquarium and the species housed
  • Focusing on the rehabilitation and preservation of species in the wild and environmental impacts that are affecting their natural habitats
  • Management of food preparations including prescribed vitamins for individuals
  • And carrying out of feeding for reptiles, amphibians, fish, penguins, and seals
  • Took temperature and salinity readings of different tanks in the aquarium and performed chemical tests on water samples from tanks to check the water quality for things like pH, nitrate, and nitrites, etc
  • Maintaining hygiene practices in preparation areas and safety measures in common areas where there was higher risk, such as wet areas.

Server & Kitchen Hand

Made & Found Café
10.2020 - 12.2020
  • Maintained health and safety practiced with additional precautions due to covid restrictions
  • Seating customers, clearing tables promptly, taking orders with customers in person and on delivery apps
  • Conducted quality control on items being received by customers, to ensure a high quality was consistently maintained
  • Replenishing beverages, condiments, and supplies while also ensuring cleanliness of areas
  • Making coffees and other beverages for customers, with complex dietary requirements and orders

Field Researcher (Volunteer)

Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit
07.2016 - 08.2016
  • Took part in extensive field work on specially equipped RIBs, surveying the sea and recording sightings of cetaceans including bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises
  • Compared data collected to previous sightings to determine if the same animals are returning to that area
  • Learnt about photo-identification procedures and mark capture-recapture analyses for dolphins and whales
  • Learnt about nomenclature and the taxonomy of cetaceans found in Scottish waters
  • Worked well as part of a close-knit team with a common interest and passion for the protection and research of sea life

Education

MSc Marine Ecosystem Management -

University of St Andrews
Scotland
08.2022

BSc Marine Biology (With Study Abroad) -

University of Essex
England
06.2021

Skills

  • Public Outreach and Education
  • Seawater and freshwater systems
  • Scientific scuba diving experience
  • Marine Conservation Strategies
  • Fisheries Management Knowledge
  • Remote Sensing Techniques
  • GIS Mapping Abilities
  • Statistical Data Interpretation

References

  • Phil Coulthard, Marine Biology Manager, marinebio@quicksilvergroup.com.au
  • Kayci Browning, Muddys Café Manager, hello@muddyscafe.com
  • Sophie Smout, University of St Andrews- Supervisor, scs10@st-andrews.ac.uk

Certification


  • PADI Open Water - approx 35 dives
  • First Aid Academy Cairns:

- HLTAID011 Provide First Aid [02/03/23]

- HLTAID015 Provide advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy [02/03/23]

- HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation [02/03/23]

  • Valid UK and QLD drivers licence

Timeline

Marine Biologist

Great Adventures
03.2023 - 02.2024

Food and Beverage Attendant

Muddy's Café
01.2023 - 02.2024

Aquatic & Terrestrial Animal Husbandry (Volunteer)

St Andrews Aquarium UK
06.2022 - 08.2022

Server & Kitchen Hand

Made & Found Café
10.2020 - 12.2020

Field Researcher (Volunteer)

Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit
07.2016 - 08.2016

MSc Marine Ecosystem Management -

University of St Andrews

BSc Marine Biology (With Study Abroad) -

University of Essex

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Sarah MacWhirter