Degree Held:Kari LaPierre

B.S. magna cum laude with honors in Geology, minor in Outdoor Studies, St. Lawrence University, 2019

Degree Sought:

M.S. Earth Sciences

Advisor:

David McWethy

Preferred Email Address:

[email protected]

Research and Professional Experience:

Senior Honors Thesis, OBSERVATIONS ON CRAYFISH PREDATION IN NORTHERN NEW YORK

  • Presented research at the St. Lawrence University Festival of Science (Spring 2018)
  • Poster presentation at the annual Geological Society of America conference in November 2018

 

Paleontology Intern, New York State Museum, Albany, NY, June 2018-August 2018

  • Organized and properly housed specimens in the Paleontology collection, incorporated donations
  • Created new specimen label template and implemented its use in the collection
  • Worked with museum colleagues to coordinate the New York State Earth Science Teachers Workshop
  • Obtained price quotes on materials to be purchased for the Teaching Collection
  • Worked in the field collecting specimens
  • Developed information sheets about important paleontological sites

 

Climbing Wall Co-Manager, Munro Family Climbing Wall, Canton, NY, September 2016-May 2019

  • Create staff schedules and plan events
  • Perform wall maintenance and design, set, and grade climbing routes
  • Interview and train new staff members
  • Run climbing wall social media accounts and respond to emails and event requests

 

Guide, St Lawrence University Outdoor Program, Canton, NY, May 2017-May 2019

  • Co-led a ten-day climbing trip to Joshua Tree National Park, California for 13 people
  • Planned and prepared itineraries, food, and gear for trips ranging from 3 to 20 participants
  • Independently managed groups of peers on trips
  • Taught technical climbing skills to trip participants
  • Led discussions on modern outdoor recreational ethics in the climbing community

 

Field Course Teaching Assistant, October 2018

  • Co-led a week-long field course to the Colorado Plateau region alongside Dr. Jeffery Chiarenzelli
  • Planned group gear and travel logistics
  • Helped execute field exercises and answered student questions

 

Teaching Assistant, St. Lawrence University Geology Department, Canton, NY, January 2017-May 2017

  • Teaching Assistant for Dynamic Earth and Historical Geology (on-campus courses)
  • Led review sessions catering to all learning styles
  • Graded student’s exams and other assignments in a timely manner to department grading standards
  • Addressed student’s questions and clarified difficult concepts and ideas using both verbal and visual methods

Publications:

LaPierre, K. and Nagel-Myers, J. 2018. Observations on crayfish predation in northern New York. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 50, No. 6 

Honors and Awards:

  • Charles B. Scanlon Award, 2019
  • Travel Grant, August 2018              
  • Internship Fellowship, May 2018                                                                             
  • Sigma Gamma Epsilon Honor Society, 2017-2019

Certifications:

Wilderness First Responder

  • Completed five-day course to obtain certification, recertified June 2019
  • Certified to administer medical treatment in a wilderness setting
  • CPR and First Aid certification included in WFR certification

 

American Mountain Guides Association Certified Lead Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI)          

  • Completed 20-hour program to obtain nationally recognized certification
  • Certified to instruct beginner to advanced climbing skills including lead climbing in a climbing gym setting