Katharina Schreier 

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

January 2016 - Present: 1st Lieutenant, Human Resources Officer, Battalion S1 Officer in

Charge. 316th Battalion, HHD, Okmulgee, OK, United States Army Reserve.

 

December 2012 - December 2015: 1st Lieutenant, Human Resources Officer, Platoon Leader /

Detachment Officer in Charge. 328th Human Resources Company, Postal Detachment, Tulsa,

OK, United States Army Reserve.

 

EDUCATION

Current:  PhD in Integrative Biology. “Defenses against infection:  Balancing behavioral and

immunological strategies.” Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Grindstaff

 

2014:  Adjutant General School, Basic Officer Leader Course, US Army, Fort Jackson, SC. Instructor:

CPT Bethany Dumas

 

2012:  BS Biopsychology, Minor: Environmental Studies. Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI.

Graduated Magna Cum Laude. Advisor: Dr. Michael Alfieri

 

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

2015:  Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research ($500)

2014:  Distinguished Honor Graduate, Adjutant General Basic Officer Leader Course, US Army

2014:  AOU Research Award ($2,450)

2014:  National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship ($132,000)

2014:  AOU Student Membership Award

2012:  Federal Pell Grant ($2,775)

2012:  Wisconsin Tuition Grant ($1,450)

2012:  Viterbo University Summer Research Fellowship ($2,500)

2011:  Viterbo University Summer Research Fellowship ($2,500)

2008-2012:  Viterbo University Dean’s Scholarship ($4,000 per semester, 9 semesters)

2008-2012:  Dean’s List (9 consecutive semesters)

2008:  Army ROTC Four-Year College Scholarship (covered tuition, ~$80,000)

 

 

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

September 2014 – present:  Fellow / Research Assistant, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

            Duties:  Animal husbandry (zebra finches), behavioral trials, video scoring, immunoassays (CORT EIA, haptoglobin, hemolysis-hemagglutination), proposal writing, grant writing, outreach, undergraduate mentoring, and dissemination of research at conferences. 

 

November 2013 – February 2014:  Lab Technician, Dr. Caldwell Hahn, US Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD.

          Duties: Ran enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure IgY antibodies from cowbird and blackbird eggs.

 

June – August 2013:  Research Assistant, Dr. Jennifer Grindstaff, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.

          Duties: Animal husbandry (zebra finches), body size measurements, monitoring of egg incubation and hatching, data collection from behavioral videos, assisting other graduate students and post-doc with projects as needed.

          Skills learned: Blood sampling, immune assay techniques, body size measurements, banding, handling birds (bander’s and photographer’s grips), and mist netting.

 

May – July 2012:  Undergraduate Researcher, Dr. Jennifer Sadowski, Viterbo University Summer Research Fellowship, La Crosse, WI.

          Topic: Natural history survey of Galerucella spp. beetles in relation to their use as a bio-control for the invasive plant, Lythrum salicaria (Purple loosestrife). Also studied association behaviors of Armadillidium vulgare.

 

May – July 2011:  Undergraduate Researcher, Dr. Jennifer Sadowski, Viterbo University Summer Research Fellowship, La Crosse, WI.

          Topic: Repeatability of anti-predator behavior in Armadillidium vulgare (pill bug).

 

 

PLATFORM PRESENTATIONS

2013:  Schreier, K.C. and Sadowski, J.A.

Repeatability of behavior in the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare: Factors affecting consistency of anti-predator behaviors.

National Conference of Undergraduate Research, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Presenter

 

2012:  Schreier, K.C. What’s possible with summer research? Brown Bag Lunch Seminar, Viterbo University Summer Research Fellowship Program, La Crosse, WI. Presenter

 

2012:  Schreier, K.C. and Sadowski, J.A. Repeatability of behavior in the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare: Factors affecting consistency of anti-predator behaviors. St. Mary’s Undergraduate Research Symposium, Winona, Minnesota. Presenter

 

 

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

2016:  Schreier, K.C. and Grindstaff, J.L. Does corticosterone exposure moderate disease avoidance strategies in zebra finches? Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology Conference, Portland, Oregon. 

 

2015:  Schreier, K.C. and Grindstaff, J.L. A Balancing Act:  Can Zebra Finches balance behavioral and immunological strategies to avoid infection? American Ornithologists’ Union Annual Meeting, Norman, Oklahoma.

 

2015:  Schreier, K.C. and Grindstaff, J.L. Balancing behavior and immune responses to avoid infection. Oklahoma State University Research Week Symposium, Stillwater, Oklahoma. 

 

2012:  Schreier, K.C. and Sadowski, J.A. Association behaviors of the terrestrial isopod, Armadillidium vulgare. Seven Rivers Undergraduate Research Symposium, La Crosse, Wisconsin.

 

2011:  Schreier, K.C. and Sadowski, J.A. Repeatability of behavior in terrestrial isopods (Armadillidium vulgare): How consistent is anti-predator behavior? Seven Rivers Undergraduate Research Symposium, La Crosse, Wisconsin.

 

 

TEACHING AND MENTORSHIP EXPERIENCE

Summer 2015:  REU Research Mentor. Oklahoma State University.

            + Mentored Kayce Miller in animal husbandry, video analysis, and various research techniques including behavioral trials.

 

Spring 2015: Integrative Biology Undergraduate Research Mentor. Oklahoma State University.

            + Mentored Kayla Miller, a Secondary Education student, in animal husbandry, video analysis, and various research techniques including behavioral trials and presentation skills.

 

Spring 2014: Zoology Undergraduate Research Mentor. Oklahoma State University.

            + Taught and supervised animal husbandry to two ZOOL 4700 students, Sean McLaughlin and Merria Dalimonte.

 

2013-2014: Graduate Teaching Assistant. Oklahoma State University, Department of Zoology, Stillwater, OK. Supervisor: Dr. Donald French.

            + General Biology

 

Aug 2009 - Dec 2012: Tutor. Viterbo University, Academic Resource Center, La Crosse, WI. Supervisor: Dr. Jane Eddy.

            + General Biology, General Chemistry, General Psychology, Environmental Studies, and Animal Behavior

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

2014-present: Reviewer for OSU Academic Document Exchange.

 

2015:  Certified Project WILD educator.

 

2014-2015:   Treasurer of the Oklahoma State University Zoology Graduate Student Society.

 

2014-2015:   Student Representative on Faculty Council, Zoology Graduate Student Society.

 

2012:   President of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, Omega Psi Chapter, Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI. I was an elected officer. I led all club meetings and activities, including highway clean ups, trip to the Aldo Leopold Foundation and the International Crane Foundation, and staffing the Seven Rivers Undergraduate Research Symposium.

 

2012:   Cadet Command Sergeant Major (Staff Non-Commissioned Officer) of the UW-La Crosse Eagle Battalion, La Crosse, WI. I oversaw the Leadership Development Program and Coaching / Mentoring Program for the Eagle Battalion, coordinated and oversaw Color Guard training and events, maintained accountability, discipline, morale, and training of cadets, and kept the Cadet Battalion Commander informed of such events.

 

2011:   Event Organizer. I organized the UW-La Crosse Eagle Battalion’s Annual Military Ball. My duties included securing a location, speaker, photographer, entertainment, and catering, as well as preparing the ROTC color guard and a Senior Recognition ceremony.

 

2011:   Cadet S5 (Public Affairs Staff Officer) of the UW-La Crosse Eagle Battalion. My duties included constructing, editing, and distributing the Eagle Battalion Newsletter, The Eagle Times, to cadets and Eagle Battalion alum, recruiting at ROTC events, and maintaining the Battalion website / Facebook page.

 

 

OUTREACH EXPERIENCE

October 2015: Activity Leader. “What Do Zoologists Do?”. 2015 Women in Science Conference, Tulsa, OK.

 

July 2015: Activity Leader. Insect Camp:  “Insect Life Cycles” station. WONDERtorium, Stillwater, OK.

 

April 2015: Activity Leader. Earth Month Activities:  “Birds and Binos”. WONDERtorium, Stillwater, OK.

 

April 2015: Activity Leader. “Picking up STEAM:  Growing Things – Vertebrates”. Stillwater Public Library After-School Science Program, Stillwater, OK.

 

March 2015: Activity Leader. “Picking up STEAM:  Growing Things – Invertebrates”. Stillwater Public Library After-School Science Program, Stillwater, OK.

 

February 2015: Activity Leader. “Picking up STEAM:  Growing Things – Plants”. Stillwater Public Library After-School Science Program, Stillwater, OK.

 

November 2014: Volunteer. “Into the Streets” Community Yard Clean-Up event, Stillwater, OK.

 

October 2014: Activity Leader. Frankenstein Friday event:  “Match the Scat” station. WONDERtorium, Stillwater, OK.

 

August 2014: Invited Speaker at NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program 2014 Application Workshop (coordinated by Dr. Sheryl Tucker), Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. I conducted a Question & Answer session for future GRFP applicants at the end of the workshop along with one other GRF Fellow.

 

May 2014:  Activity Leader. National Lab Day, Dr. Grindstaff's lab:  "Feathers: More than meets the eye". Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.

 

2013-2014: Volunteer. OSU Football Concession Stands, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.

 

October 2013:  Activity Leader. Frankenstein Friday event:  “Creatures of the Night” station. WONDERtorium, Stillwater, OK.

 

2011-2012: Environmental / Sustainable Theme House, Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI. I petitioned to create an Environmental / Sustainable Theme House on campus with five other senior Math and Science majors. While living in the Theme House, we created and ran projects within the house, on campus, and within the community, including plastic bag collection and recycling, booths at Viterbo University Safe-Trick-or-Treat and La Crosse Living Green Expo, No-Impact Week, and highway clean-ups.

 

2009-2012:  American Cancer Society Relay for Life, La Crosse Colleges, La Crosse, WI. I participated both as a member (2010, 2012) and a team captain (2011) of a Relay for Life team that fundraised and partook in a 12-hour lock-in once a year to promote cancer research. In 2011, I was in charge of an 8-person team from our ROTC battalion.

 

2010:  International Volunteer, Bagamoyo, Tanzania, Africa. Through the Army ROTC Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency Program and Cross-Cultural Solutions, I spent three weeks in Tanzania to teach 4-10 year old children English, math, and art. Another cadet and I taught English to three 18 year old females in the afternoons. I traveled with the US Military Academy and other ROTC cadets.

 

 

MEMBERSHIPS

2015-present:  Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (Student Member)

 

2015-present: Wilson's Ornithological Society

 

2014-present: Sigma Xi (Associate Member)

 

2014-present: American Ornithologists' Union (Student Membership Award)

 

2013-present: Animal Behavior Society

 

2013-present: Oklahoma State University Zoology Graduate Student Society

 

 

WORKSHOPS

2015:  Project WILD Certification Workshop. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. April 18.

 

2014:  How to Write A Lot Workshop. OSU Writing Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. March 26 - April 16.

 

2009:  4th Annual Student Leadership Conference. Viterbo University, La Crosse, Wisconsin. November 7-8.

 

 

REFERENCES

Dr. Jennifer Grindstaff, Associate Professor, Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, 501 Life Sciences West, Stillwater, OK 74078, 405-744-9676, jen.grindstaff@okstate.edu

 

1LT Elizabeth Sillasen, Previous Officer in Charge, United States Army Reserves, 328th Human Resources Company, Postal Detachment, Tulsa, OK, 254-289-7207, elizabeth.r.sillasen.mil@mail.mil 

 

Dr. Michael Alfieri, Biology Chair, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Viterbo University, 215 Reinhart Center, 900 Viterbo Drive, La Crosse, WI 54601, 608-796-3465, msalfieri@viterbo.edu

 

Dr. Jennifer Sadowski, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Viterbo University, 020 Reinhart Center, 900 Viterbo Drive, La Crosse, WI 54601, 608-796-3466, jasadowski@viterbo.edu

 

MSG Scott Heise (RET), Former Senior Military Instructor, Eagle Battalion Reserve Officer Training Corps, University of Wisconsin: La Crosse. 785-317-7738, sheise@uwlax.edu