Building a Career as a One Health Professional
About me
I am committed to advancing the One Health paradigm, which recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. My education and work history has provided me with substantial hands-on experience with wild animal care and conservation, as well as a familiarity with the world of research. In my career, I aim to work towards mitigating harmful anthropogenic impacts and promoting a holistic approach to global health.
CV
PETER ALDRICK SONNEGA
(734) 999-5144
Education
Master of Science in Conservation Medicine
August, 2022
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University GPA: 3.95
Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity
May, 2019
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI Minor: Sociology of Health and Medicine
Work Experience
Wild Animal Keeper, Wildlife Conservation Society
October, 2023-Present
- Care for a diverse set of animals through cleaning enclosures, feeding, and training. Assist veterinary staff with maintaining animal wellbeing. Collaborate closely with educational staff to devise engaging lessons that educate the public about conservation and animal welfare.
Wildlife Veterinary Care Intern, New England Wildlife Center
September, 2020 - December, 2020
- Admitted and treated wildlife patients from the greater Boston area. Cleaned cages, provided enrichment, and prepared diets for patients. Additionally, administered medications per oral, intramuscularly, and subcutaneously. Assisted veterinarians during domestic pet appointments and radiographs and observed surgeries.
Animal Care Intern, Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center
June, 2020 - August, 2020
- Worked with zookeeper staff to prepare enrichment and diets for a variety of animals and to clean enclosures. Observed and participated in operant conditioning of certain animals and veterinary procedures.
Research Experience
Research Assistant, EcoHealthNet, The Smithsonian Institution and the University of Florida
April, 2022- August, 2022
- Developed a research question related to gender and geospatial differences in pesticide exposure in wildlife. Prepared samples and conducted mass spectrometry analysis to search for the presence of permethrin in White-tailed deer hair samples in Florida.
Piping Plover Research Technician, Virginia Tech University
May, 2019 - September, 2019
- Banded, resighted, and collected behavioral and nest data of piping plovers and other shorebirds on Fire Island, New York. Additionally, surveyed invertebrate populations.
Research Assistant, University of Michigan Zoological Department
December, 2016 - April, 2017
- Catalogued and preserved freshwater mollusk specimens in the University of Michigan Natural History Museum.
Research Assistant, University of Michigan Institute for Social Research
January, 2016 - April, 2019
- Coded open-ended responses in the Health and Retirement Study’s Life History Mail Survey. Created large Excel database of question concordance with other surveys; Created question format codes for the survey in SPSS.
Peer Reviewed Research Presentations
“Effects of Invasive Cattail Typha X glauca on Northern Michigan Wetlands.” Bella Isaacs, Maddie Parsnick, and Peter Sonnega. Project selected for presentation in University of Michigan Biological Station Symposium, August, 2017
“Understanding reactions to displays of mixed loyalties with an evolutionary framework.” Stephanie Misevich, Michele Day, Camille Phaneuf, Peter Sonnega, Ailiya Duan, Anna Heyblom, Dora Juhasz, Claire Saunders, Vibha Sreenivasa, & Daniel Kruger. Poster presentation at the Association for Psychological Science, May 2016.
Skills
- Coding and programming with SPSS and R software
- Proficient in the MS Office suite including Excel for budgets
- Proficient in the Google suite
- Creating and analyzing maps in ArcGIS Pro software
- Conducting PCR and ELISA on animal samples
- Experience with drawing blood and administering medications with syringe to animal patients
- Scoping, trapping, and banding adult birds and chicks
- Experience with radio telemetry
- Fieldwork including collecting and keying fish and aquatic macroinvertebrate species
- Proficient in Spanish both written and spoken
References Available Upon Request
