TEACHING STATEMENT
My name is Seth Sykora-Bodie and I am a conservation scientist, geographer, and policy analyst who believes that creating and engaging students in an active learning environment is the key first step to preparing the next generation to tackle pressing environmental challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss.
· Click here to see the rest of my Teaching Statement and more about Duke University's Certificate in College Teaching program.
My name is Seth Sykora-Bodie and I am a conservation scientist, geographer, and policy analyst who believes that creating and engaging students in an active learning environment is the key first step to preparing the next generation to tackle pressing environmental challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss.
· Click here to see the rest of my Teaching Statement and more about Duke University's Certificate in College Teaching program.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE & TRAINING
"Oceans and Human Health" – (ENV 709A) Nicholas School of the Environment Co-Instructor with Dr. Dana Hunt Certificate in College Teaching (CCT), Duke Graduate School (in progress) Fundamentals of College Teaching (GS 750); more information on the CCT program here "Conservation Biology" – (BIO 270A) Nicholas School of the Environment Graduate Teaching Assistant for Dr. Grant Murray, Dr. Doug Nowacek, and Paul Greenberg (NYTimes) "Marine Fisheries Policy" – (ENV 533A) Nicholas School of the Environment Graduate Teaching Assistant for Dr. Barbara Garrity-Blake Scientific Research and Education Network (SciREN) Spring Lesson Plan Workshop “Marine Climate Change” (ENV 745A) – Nicholas School Graduate Teaching Assistant for Dr. David Johnston “Marine Mammal Biology and Conservation” (BIO 376A/ENV 776A) – Nicholas School Graduate Teaching Assistant for Dr. Renee Albertson and Dr. Andrew Read "Marine Fisheries Policy" – (ENV 533A) Nicholas School of the Environment Graduate Teaching Assistant for Dr. Barbara Garrity-Blake "Social Impact Analysis" – (ENV 705A) Nicholas School of the Environment Graduate Teaching Assistant for Dr. Grant Murray “The Biology of Marine Mammals and Seabirds” (BIO 376A/ENV 776A) – Nicholas School Graduate Teaching Assistant for Dr. Lesley Thorne and Dr. Andrew Read “Marine Science & Conservation Leadership” (ENV 350S) – Nicholas School of the Environment Graduate Teaching Assistant for Dr. Andre Boustany “Ocean and Coastal Law and Policy” (LAW 298/ENV 775) – Nicholas School of the Environment Graduate Teaching Assistant for Steve Roady, J.D. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lunar & Planetary Science Academy, Logistics Coordinator |
Duke University, N.C. August – November 2020 Duke University, N.C. January 2016 – May 2016 Duke University, N.C. July 2018 – August 2018 Duke University, N.C. March 2018 – April 2018 Duke University, N.C. January 2018 Duke University, N.C. Sept. 2017 – December 2017 Duke University, N.C. July 2017 – August 2017 Duke University, N.C. March 2017 – April 2017 Duke University, N.C. Jan. 2017 – March 2017 Duke University, N.C. July 2016 – August 2016 Duke University, N.C. January 2016 – May 2016 Duke University, N.C. August 2015 – Dec. 2015 Greenbelt, Maryland June – August 2011 |
SELECTED FIELDWORK/RESEARCH
National Geographic/Ponant Antarctic Odyssey – Le Lyrial National Geographic Expert – Antarctic conservation, governance, marine protected areas FaunaGuardTM Field Research and Testing Visiting Scientist – Sea turtle behavioral disturbance project Southwest Fisheries Science Center/Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center – RV Reuben Lasker Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (HICEAS) 2017 – Visiting Scientist/Ind. Observer Sea Turtle Population Assessment (Southeast Fisheries Science Center – Beaufort Lab) Annual abundance survey to determine population count – Visiting Scientist · Satellite and flipper tagging, skin sampling, blood sampling, etc. · Pound net captures · Aerial drone surveys to identify new mark-recapture techniques (UAS Facility, Duke Marine Lab) Southeast Fisheries Science Center – RV Gordon Gunter Marine Mammal Survey – Visiting Scientist/Independent Observer · Bottlenose dolphin abundance and distribution/stock structure survey · Mooring unit (HARP) recovery, servicing, and re-deployment Leatherback Hatchling Project (Southwest Fisheries Science Center – NOAA) Genetic sampling to determine the local population structure – Visiting Scientist Gray Whale Southbound Migration Survey (Southwest Fisheries Science Center – NOAA) Annual abundance survey to determine population count – Visiting Scientist St. Eustatius National Park (STENAPA) & Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Marine/Sea Turtle Program – Beach patrols, excavations, reef surveys and 35+ dives · Conducted sea turtle (hawksbill, green, leatherback) nesting patrols and in-water surveys · Mentored volunteers, maintained moorings, eradicated lionfish, conducted fish and reef surveys Center for Integrated Environmental Research & Hultman Research Group Graduate Research Assistant · Critiqued and evaluated research for climate mitigation and adaptation in Maryland · Investigated German climate and energy policy and produce a comparative study · Conducted research focused on the political aspects of environmental policy Cahuita Sea Turtle Conservation Project (WIDECAST) Volunteer – Hawksbill and green turtle nesting patrol and hatchery management |
S. Georgia, Antarctica November – December 2019 Santa Catarina, Brazil March 2018 Hawaiian Islands/Pacific August – September 2017 Beaufort, North Carolina May 2016, June/July 2017 F.L. Keys/Gulf of Mex. July – August 2015 Sandy Point N.W.R. July 2015 Piedras Blancas, C.A. January 2015 Oranjestad, St. Eustatius May – July 2013 University of Maryland August 2011 – May 2012 Cahuita Nation. Park, C.R. June – July 2007 |
"You can’t outwit fate by standing on the sidelines placing little side bets about the outcome of life. Either you wade in and risk everything
you have to play the game or you don’t play at all. And if you don’t play you can’t win." -- Judith McNaught