David Andrew Luther

UNC Curriculum in Ecology
CB# 3275 - 217 Miller Hall
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3275
dluther@unc.edu

Education

August 2002 - present
PhD Student in Ecology
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

December 1995
B.S. in Biology
University of Oregon, Eugene, OR

Professional and Relavent Experience


TEACHING ASSISTANT Vertebrate Zoology and Animal Behavior (August 2002 - May 2003)
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC


RESEARCH PROJECT CREW LEADER AND ADMINISTRATOR (April - August 2002)
The Nature Conservancy, San Francisco, CA
Oversaw all aspects of research study on avian diversity in montane meadows. Supervised and trained a 4-person crew in research protocols, including avian and vegetation point count, habitat assessment, and mistnetting methods. Conducted data analysis and performed literature review for research study.


RESOURCE CONSERVATIONIST / WATERSHED COORDINATOR (August 1998 - April 2002)
Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District, Petaluma, CA
Identified potential riparian restoration and erosion control projects, designed streambed and riparian enhancement applications, and maintained and monitored existing projects. Wrote and managed over two million dollars in grants, developed project budgets, and reported to funders. Designed and taught multi-week conservation planning courses to agricultural producers. Developed and conducted baseline studies for riparian communities and at-risk species.


VOLUNTEER RESEARCH ASSISTANT ( March 1998 - August 2002)
California Academy of Sciences, Department of Ornithology and Mammology, San Francisco, CA
Conducted scientific field studies of the various song dialects of White-crowned Sparrows in the Presidio region of San Francisco, under the guidance of Dr. Luis Baptista. Identified White-crowned Sparrows by vocalization, recorded dialects in the field, and analyzed data to document the distinction between dialects.


VOLUNTEER RIVER CONSERVATIONIST (March 1998 - August 2002)
Friends of the River, Sacramento, CA
Organized and implemented educational whitewater rafting trips for politicians and the public to increase awareness of river issues in California. Conducted short seminars on key riparian topics, such as dam removals, salmon lifecycles, and flood control options.


RESEARCHER (June 1999 - July 2000)
Association of Bay Area governments, Bay Trail Project, Oakland, CA
Identified, monitored, and assessed trail-user impact on the short-term behavior of shorebirds and waterfowl in wetland areas along existing and proposed Bay Trail sections. Conducted study to aid ABAG with future placement of multi-use trails.


NATURALIST GUIDE (February 1996 - January 1997)
Explorer Tours, Sacha Lodge, Ecuador
Guided groups of 5-12 tourists each week through the Upper Amazonian Rainforest. Introduced guests to the flora and fauna of the region. Led specialized tours for advanced bird watchers. Collaborated with indigenous guides to identify and explain native ethnobotanical uses of upper Amazonian flora. Translated for Spanish-speaking guides and English-speaking clients.

Presentations

2005.........Society of Conservation Biology 19th annual conference - poster presentation, Brasilia, BR
2001.........San Francisco Bay Joint Venture, North Bay Wetlands Tour, CA
2001.........State Water Quality Control Board Conference, Non Point Source Pollution, Sacramento, CA
1999.........Society for Ecological Restoration Conference, Restoration of Agricultural Areas, Sonoma, CA

Awards

2005.........Transportation Grant for Conference Presentations, UNC Graduate School
2005.........Mellon Foundation Graduate Student Travel Award, Institute for Latin American Studies, UNC
2004.........Tinker Foundation Award for Summer Field Research, Institute for Latin American Studies, UNC
2004/5.......Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship for Portuguese, Institute for Latin American Studies, UNC
2003/4.......Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship for Portuguese, Institute for Latin American Studies, UNC

Languages

Portuguese
Spanish