KAYLEIGH A. SOMERS Duke University: Box 90328 · LSRC Room A329 · Durham, NC 27708 · [email protected] · 443.695.2134

EDUCATION Duke University: Durham, NC 2013 Doctoral Candidate: University Program in Ecology; Advisors: Emily Bernhardt and Dean Urban Dissertation: “Thermal Pollution in Urban Streams” UMBC: Baltimore, MD 2008 Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Bachelor of Arts in English Literature

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Duke University: Durham, NC 2008 to Present Biogeochemistry Lab: Dr. Emily Bernhardt & Landscape Ecology Lab: Dr. Dean Urban Graduate Research Assistant • Conducted surveys of stream habitat, water and sediment chemistry, and macro-invertebrates • Utilized fiber-optic cable and discrete loggers to measure stream temperature • Maintained and managed ecological data • Calculated landscape and spatial metrics using ArcGIS • Analyzed data using R and MatLab UMBC: Baltimore, MD 2007 to 2008 Freshwater Ecology Lab: Dr. Christopher Swan Undergraduate Research Assistant • Performed routine water chemistry, physical habitat assessment, and ecological characterization of headwater streams • Carried out ecological surveys in streams in support of field experiments • Worked with a team of researchers to design, implement, and sample a field experiment exploring the role of tree species loss on organic matter dynamics in headwater streams

GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS • Center for Transformative Environmental Monitoring Program’s Pilot Program Grant • North American Benthological Society’s Simpson Award ($600) • American Society for Limnology and Oceanography’s Student Travel Award ($250) • James B. Duke Fellowship ($20,000) • Undergraduate Research Award ($1,500)

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE Duke University: Durham, NC Teaching Assistant 2008 to present • Landscape Ecology, Biogeochemistry, Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy • Led small group discussions on current scientific papers and topics with undergraduates, graduates • Facilitated in the creation of exams and writing prompts • Evaluated students qualitatively and quantitatively Co-Chair – Nicholas School PhD Student Steering Committee 2009 to present • Addressed concerns of PhD students • Delegated responsibilities to fellow students by creating sub-committees Co-Leader of University Program in Ecology Seminar 2009 to 2011 • Scheduled seminars with top local and international ecologists • Facilitated PhD students in organizing seminars and travel for visiting speakers Co-Chair of Women’s Mentoring and Networking Group 2009 to present • Organized annual meeting and guided activities to encourage mentoring and networking between female graduate students and professors

PRESENTATIONS • International Association of Landscape Ecology Conference (2011) Oral: “Local and watershed controls on the thermal regime of urban streams” • Water Resources Research Institute Conference (2011) Oral: “Streams in the urban heat island: spatial and temporal variability in thermal regimes” • Joint North American Benthological Society and American Society for Limnology and Oceanography Conference (2010) Poster: “Streams in the urban heat island: landscape and local controls on thermal pollution in urban watersheds”