Ms. Natalia Zurcher
Research Associate

EDUCATION

• B.S (2001) Biology (minor: Marine Sciences), University of Miami

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Research Associate 1 (2003-Present), University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
  • Theory and application of quantitative methods to link empirical sampling with analytical model building using a systems approach in support of Fisheries Management
  • Responsible writing research proposals, carrying out complex research tasks while directing substantial scientific staffs to conduct and complete these tasks 
  • Responsible for compiling population dynamic data and management regulation histories for the snapper-grouper complex species for Stock Assessment studies in South Florida
  • Member of the ground breaking team (only 4 members) conducting active coral reef and reef fish research in South Florida waters as deep as 300'/90m (Scientific/Technical Diving)
  • Responsible for supervising students and assisting them with their research
  • Lab manager
  • Contribute in writing of Dry Tortugas National Park management plan for National Park Services
  • Responsible for coordinating Biscayne National Park boater use program and West Florida aerial survey
  • Responsible for coordinating personnel for Reef Visual Census field work in South Florida waters as deep as 100'/30m (Scientific Diving)
  • Responsible for coordinating field work for Bonefish and Tarpon projects and writing of technical memoranda to the Friends of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation.
  • Database manager for Bonefish and Tarpon Conservation Research Program Webmaster and Design of: www.bonefishresearch.com, bonefish.rsmas.miami.edu Webmaster: www.tarbone.org
• Research Associate (2001-2003) Laboratories for Pollution Control Technologies (Uni. of Miami)
• Conducting weekly experimental runs at Ballast Water Treatment Test Facility
• Responsible for running and analyzing Chlorophyll a samples (Fluorometer)
• Identification and counting of zooplankton organisms
• Responsible for Particle Size Counting analysis (Multisizer 3. Coulter Counter)
• Assistant to Systems Administrator (Mar-Aug 2001) CENTREX Telecommunication (Uni. of Miami)
  • Assigned new corporate telephone numbers for the university
  • Analyzed and reported telecommunication's network outages as indicated
  • Processed service orders, checking for accuracy and contents before releasing them to billing
  • Assisted providing the necessary resources in order to stabilize voice connectivity
• Research Assistant (May-July 1999) Seaquarium of Las Islas del Rosario (Cartagena, Colombia)
  • Tagged and weighed turtles, sharks and tarpons
  • Worked in the Environmental Program of Carey Turtles, breeding and releasing tagged animals to repopulate the local population
  • Managed database of samples
• Research Assistant (May-Aug 1998) Seaquarium of Las Islas del Rosario (Cartagena, Colombia)
  • Participated in training and feeding of dolphins
  • Collaborated in environmental education and coral protection programs " Transect/Quadrant sampling of intertidal organisms
  • Maintained the aquarium facilities and diving equipment
  • Supervised snorkeling tours and provided appropriate information to the tourists
• Study Assistant (Oct 1998) Parque Tairona, Universidad de Los Andes (Santa Marta, Colombia)
  • Collected and identified local invertebrates for work-study program

SKILLS

• Arcview GIS, Website Design, Macromedia, Corel, Photoshop. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, Lotus, COMPCO.
• GUE Tech1 diver certified, AAUS-certified SCUBA diver, PADI certified, NAUI Nitrox diver certified, CPR/First Aid certified, Oxygen administration certified.
• Languages: Spanish, English, German, French (fluently)

PUBLICATIONS AND TECHNICAL REPORTS:

• Valadez L.V., L.C. Cedeño, and N. Zurcher. (2007) Coastal ecosystem management to support bonefish and tarpon sport fishing in Peninsula de Zapata National Park, Cuba . Chapter 6 in Ault, J.S. (ed.) Biology and Management of the World Tarpon and Bonefish Fisheries. Taylor and Francis Group. CRC Series on the Environment. Oxford , UK . 550 p.
  
• Ault, J.S., R. Humston, M.F. Larkin, E. Perusquia, N.A. Farmer, J. Luo, N. Zurcher , S.G. Smith, L. Barbieri, and J. Posada. (2007). Population dynamics and resource ecology of Atlantic tarpon and bonefish. Chapter 16 in Ault, J.S. (ed.) Biology and Management of the World Tarpon and Bonefish Fisheries. Taylor and Francis Group. CRC Series on the Environment. Oxford , UK . 550 p.
  
• Larkin, M.F., Ault, J.S., R. Humston, J. Luo, and N. Zurcher . (2007). Tagging of bonefish in south Florida to study population movements and stock dynamics. Chapter 19 in Ault, J.S. (ed.) Biology and Management of the World Tarpon and Bonefish Fisheries. Taylor and Francis Group. CRC Series on the Environment. Oxford , UK . 550 p.
  
• Ault, J.S., S. Moret, J. Luo, M.F. Larkin, N. Zurcher , and S.G. Smith. (2007). Florida Keys bonefish population census. Chapter 19 in Ault, J.S. (ed.) Biology and Management of the World Tarpon and Bonefish Fisheries. Taylor and Francis Group. CRC Series on the Environment. Oxford , UK . 550 p.
  
• Ault, J.S., L. Jiangang, M.F. Larkin, N. Zurcher, and S.G. Smith. (2007). Bonefish and Tarpon Conservation Research Program. Final Report to the Friends of the Sanctuary 2006. 136 p.
  
• Ault, J.S., M.F. Larkin, J. Luo, N. Zurcher, and D. Debrot (2005). Bonefish-tarpon conservation research program. Final Report to National Fish & Wildlife Foundation. 92 p.
  
• Ault, J.S., N. Zurcher, E.C. Franklin, S.G. Smith, and J. Luo. (2004). A strategy for managing marine ecological resources in Dry Tortugas National Park . Final Report to National Park Service. 75 p.
  
• Ault, J.S., S.G. Smith, D. McClellan, N. Zurcher , E.C. Franklin, and J.A. Bohnsack. (2004). An aerial survey method for estimation of boater use in Biscayne National Park during 2003-2004. Final Report to the National Park Service. 44 p.
  
• Ault, J.S., M.F. Larkin, J. Luo, and N. Zurcher . (2004). Bonefish-tarpon conservation research program. Final Report to National Fish & Wildlife Foundation. 74 p.
  
• Ault, J.S., S.G. Smith, D. McClellan, N. Zurcher, E.C. Franklin, and J.A. Bohnsack. (2003). Aerial survey method for estimation of boater use in Biscayne National Park spring and summer seasons 2003. National Park Service. 30 p.
  
• Waite T.D., J. Kazumi, L. Farmer, S. Smith, P. Lane, S.G. Smith, G. Hitchcock, T. Capo, and N. Zurcher . (2003) Large-Scale testing of treatment processes as alternatives to ballast exchange. Final Report to U.S. Department of Homeland Security United States Coast Guard Marine Safety and Environmental Protection. 218p.
  
• Schmidt, T.W., J.S. Ault, and J.A. Bohnsack, J. Luo, S. G. Smith, D. E. Harper, G. A. Meester, and N. Zurcher. (1999). Site characterization for the Dry Tortugas region: fisheries and essential habitats. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and National Park Service. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC- 000 . 117p.
  

Contact: Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149, Office Phone: (305)-421-4164 or Email: nzurcher@rsmas.miami.edu

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