Curriculum Vitae

Education

Doctorate of Philosophy, Marine Biology

Aug 2012-May 2017

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (GPA 4.0)

Corpus Christi, TX

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Bachelor of Science, Biology

Aug 2008-May 2012

Eastern Kentucky University (Overall GPA 4.0, Major GPA 4.0)

Richmond, KY

Summa cum Laude; Honors Program Graduate

Aquatic Biology Option; Minor in Spanish

Research Experience

River restoration research

Jan 2019-Present

Design and conduct research on the role of stream ecology in the efficacy of river restoration for Chinook salmon and steelhead

• Variation in predation between habitat types in restored and unrestored stream reaches

• Variation in primary productivity between habitat types in restored and unrestored stream reaches

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Postdoctoral research experience

June 2018-Jan 2019

Genes to ecosystem responses of native at-risk species to removal of aquatic invasive species in Hawaiian Island streams

• Influence of hydrology and flow mitigation on community response to invasive species removal

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Postdoctoral research experience

Aug 2017-May 2018

Ecological interactions and invasion mechanisms in the invasive lionfish

• Adaptive flexibility and social learning in invasive lionfish

• Positive ecological interactions between invasive lionfish and native Caribbean species

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Doctoral research experience

Aug 2012-May 2017

Inducible defenses of the Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica

• Mechanism and cost of inducible defense-field experiment, chemical analysis, morphometric study

• Effects of food availability, temporal variation, predation cue source, predator diet (intraspecies, intraguild, hunger state, consumed tissue age), and prey size on inducible defenses-mesocosm studies

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Other graduate research experiences

Aug 2012-May 2017

• Effects of mangrove expansion into South Texas salt marshes-field sampling, field manipulations

• Effect of turbidity on trophic ecology of oyster reefs-field manipulations, mesocosm studies

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Honor senior thesis research

Jan 2011-May 2012

Reproductive habitat requirements of the federally threatened blackside dace Chrosomus cumberlandensis

• field measurements of stream habitat

• collection of video behavioral data

• developed a method of visual substrate characterization to overcome obstacles presented by species protection

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SURF REU at TAMUCC

June 2010-Aug 2010

The effects of turbidity on predation on mud crabs Panopeus spp.

Work and Teaching Experience

Senior Ecologist

Dr. Joseph Merz

Cramer Fish Sciences

Jan 2019-Present

• Manage river restoration projects throughout the California Central Valley

• Design studies of the role of ecology in the efficacy of river restoration for Chinook salmon and steelhead

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Postdoctoral Researcher

Dr. Michael Blum

Tulane University

June 2018-Jan 2019

• Analysis of multiyear dataset on removal of aquatic invasive species from Hawaiian Island streams

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Postdoctoral Researcher

Dr. Yann Henaut

Fulbright Scholar Program/El Colegio de Frontera Sur

Aug 2017-May 2018

• Research ecological interactions of invasive red lionfish with native Caribbean species and potential ecological mechanisms of invasion success

• Outreach and cultural interactions to strengthen mutual understanding and good will across borders

Research Scientist

Dr. Lee Smee

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

May 2017-Aug 2017

• Researching estuarine ecology

• Nonconsumptive predator effects on plastic prey defenses

• Expansion of black mangroves into south Texas salt marshes

• Effects of turbidity on oyster reef communities

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Research Assistant

Dr. Lee Smee

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Jan 2017-May 2017

• Researched and published on inducible defenses of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica

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Research Assistant-ETEAMS program graduate assistant

Dr. Lee Smee

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Sept 2013-Dec 2016

• Organized/led authentic research experiences for pre-service 4th-8th grade teachers

• Assisted with hands-on STEM activities at participating local elementary and middle schools

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Teaching Assistant

Dr. Lee Smee

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Sept 2012-Aug 2013

• Lab sections taught: Introductory Biology I, Principles of Ecology

• For Principles of Ecology, developed a new lab for unit on competition

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REU Participant/Summer Intern

Dr. Lee Smee

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

June 2010-Aug 2010

• Assisted with several graduate research projects on estuarine and oyster reef ecology

• Literature searches, equipment construction, experimental set-up and maintenance, data collection

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Lifeguard and Swim Instructor

Nikki Eskridge

Clark County YMCA

Feb 2006-Aug 2009

• Maintained safety in and around pool area, responded to emergency situations

• Taught swimming skills to ages 3-adult

Publications

• Kimbro DL, Scherer AE, Byers J, Grabowski JH, Hughes AR, Piehler MF, Smee DL. Environmental gradients influence biogeographic patterns of nonconsumptive predator effects on oysters. Ecosphere. In press.
  

• Scherer AE, Bird CE, McCutcheon MR, Hu X, Smee DL. 2018. Two-tiered defense strategy may compensate for predator avoidance cost of an ecosystem engineer. Marine Biology, 165:131. DOI 10.1007/s00227-018-3391-2.

• Scherer AE, Smee DL. 2017. Eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica produce plastic morphological defenses in response to crab predators despite resource limitation. The Biological Bulletin, 233(2):144-150. DOI 10.1086/695470.

• Scherer AE, Garcia M, Smee DL. 2017. Predatory blue crabs induce stronger nonconsumptive effects in eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica than scavenging blue crabs. PeerJ, 5:e3042. DOI 10.7717/peerj.3042.

• Scherer AE, Lunt J, Draper AM, Smee DL. 2016. Phenotypic plasticity in oysters (Crassostrea virginica) mediated by chemical signals from predators and injured prey. Journal of Invertebrate Biology, 135(2):97-107. DOI: 10.1111/ivb.12120.

• Scherer AE, Smee DL. 2016. A review of predator diet effects on prey defensive responses. Chemoecology, 26:83-100. DOI 10.1007/s00049-016-0208-y.

• Scherer AE, Santangelo N. 2013. Assessment of reproductive requirements in habitat conservation efforts: a case study on blackside dace (Chrosomus cumberlandensis), a federally listed threatened species. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 71:408-415.

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Non-Peer Reviewed

• Doerr A, Emery N, Ficken C, Scherer A, Fullman T. 2020. Human dimensions: Professional development for the everyday early-career ecologist. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. DOI 10.1002/bes2.1695.

• Scherer AE 2017. Mangrove expansion changing Texas coastlines. ECO Magazine, April:58-59.

Presentations

Oral Presentations

• Scherer AE, Sellheim K, Merz J. 2020. I know what you ate last summer. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Predation Project Working Group Meeting. Sacramento, CA.

• Scherer AE, Sellheim K, Colombano P, Merz J. 2019. Invasive competition and predation: An ecological perspective on threats to juvenile Chinook salmon. American Fisheries Society National Conference. Reno, NV.

• Scherer AE. 2019. I know what you ate last summer: Video monitoring for invasive species management. Delta Invasive Species Symposium. Davis, CA.

• Scherer AE, Smee DL, Grabowski JH, Byers J, Hughes AR, Piehler MF, Kimbro DL. 2019. Emergence of nonconsumptive predator effects on eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica across environmental and ecological gradients in the South Atlantic Bight. Ecological Society of America Meeting. Louisville, KY.

• Scherer AE, Smee DL. 2017. Predator diet effects on prey defensive responses: A review of the field and case study in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Benthic Ecology Meeting. Myrtle Beach, SC.

• Scherer AE, Smee DL. 2017. Predator diet effects on prey defensive responses: A review of the field and case study in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Ecological Integration Symposium. College Station, TX.

• Scherer AE. 2017. Characterization of an induced morphological defense in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Dissertation defense. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE, Bird CE, Hu X, McCutcheon M, Smee DL. 2017. Cost and mechanism of an induced morphological defense in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. New Orleans, LA.

• Scherer AE, Bird CE, Hu X, McCutcheon M, Smee DL. 2016. Cost and mechanism of an induced morphological defense in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Ecological Society of America Meeting. Fort Lauderdale, FL.

• Scherer AE, Bird CE, Smee DL. 2016. Reproductive costs of an induced morphological defense in the Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Texas Bays and Estuaries Meeting. Port Aransas, TX.

• Scherer AE, Bird CE, Smee DL. 2016. Reproductive costs of an induced morphological defense in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Benthic Ecology Meeting. Portland, ME.

• Scherer AE. 2016. Scared strong: An oyster's guide to smelling your way to a longer life. Regional Conference of Southern Graduate Schools, 3MT® Three Minute Thesis Regional Competition. Charlotte, NC.

• Scherer AE, Lunt J, Draper AM, Smee DL. 2015. Scared strong: An oyster's guide to smelling your way to a longer life. TAMUCC Regional Student Research Forum. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE. 2015. Scared strong: An oyster's guide to smelling your way to a longer life. TAMUCC 3MT® Three Minute Thesis Competition. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE, Smee DL. 2015. Impacts of food availability on prey defense in Eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica. Texas Bays and Estuaries Meeting. Port Aransas, TX.

• Scherer AE, Smee DL. 2015. The impacts of food availability on prey defenses in eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica. Benthic Ecology Meeting. Quebec City, QC.

• Scherer AE, Smee DL. 2014. Defense induction of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. TAMUCC Regional Student Research Forum. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE, Lunt J, Draper AM, Smee DL. 2014. The role of predation cue sources on inducible defenses in the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Graduate Student Scholarly Works Symposium. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE, Lunt J, Draper AM, Smee DL. 2014. The role of predation cue sources on inducible defenses in the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Texas Bays and Estuaries Meeting. Port Aransas, TX.

• Scherer AE, Lunt J, Draper AM, Smee DL. 2014. The influence of predation cue source on inducible defenses in the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). ELITE Graduate Student Organization Symposium. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE, Lunt J, Draper AM, Smee DL. 2014. The influence of predation cue source on inducible defenses in the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Benthic Ecology Meeting. Jacksonville, FL.

• Scherer AE. 2013. Reproductive costs of induced morphological defenses in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Texas A&M University Marine Biology Program Retreat. Galveston Bay, TX.

• Scherer AE. 2013. The effects of inducible defenses on fecundity in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. TAMUCC Regional Graduate Student Symposium. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE, Santangelo N. 2012. Habitat requirements of the federally threatened blackside dace Chrosomus cumberlandensis. Texas A&M University Marine Biology Program Retreat. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE. 2012. The effects of habitat complexity on predator prey interactions. TAMUCC Regional Graduate Student Symposium. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE, Santangelo N. 2012. Habitat requirements of the federally threatened blackside dace Chrosomus cumberlandensis. Association of Southeastern Biologists Meeting. Athens, GA.

• Scherer AE. 2012. Multiple study abroad trips in Belize and Australia. Western Kentucky University Statewide Study Abroad Symposium. Bowling Green, KY.

• Scherer AE, Santangelo N. 2012. Reproductive habitat requirements of the federally threatened blackside dace Chrosomus cumberlandensis. Kentucky Honors Roundtable Conference. Murray, KY.

• Scherer AE, Santangelo N. 2011. Reproductive habitat requirements of the federally threatened blackside dace Chrosomus cumberlandensis. Eastern Kentucky University Honors Thesis Symposium. Richmond, KY.

• Scherer AE. 2011. The effects of turbidity on predation rates on mud crabs Panopeus spp. Kentucky Honors Roundtable Conference. Louisville, KY.

• Scherer AE. 2011. The effects of turbidity on predation rates on mud crabs Panopeus spp. Southern Regional Honors Conference. Little Rock, AR.

• Scherer AE. 2010. The effects of turbidity on predation rates on mud crabs Panopeus spp. SURF REU Program Symposium. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE. 2010. Shifting perspectives on the first assassination attempt on Queen Victoria. Southern Regional Honors Conference. Greenville, SC.

• Scherer AE. 2010. Shifting perspectives on the first assassination attempt on Queen Victoria. HerStory Conference. Richmond, KY.

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Posters

• Scherer AE, Robinson E, Lunt J, Smee DL. 2015. Inducible defenses of the eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica in response to common crab predators. Texas SeaGrant Reception. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE, Robinson E, Lunt J, Smee DL. 2013. Inducible defenses of eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica in response to common crab predators. Benthic Ecology Meeting. Savannah, GA.

• Scherer AE, Santangelo N. 2012. Reproductive habitat requirements of the federally threatened blackside dace Chrosomus cumberlandensis. Eastern Kentucky University BIOS Honors Day. Richmond, KY.

• Scherer AE, Santangelo N. 2012. Reproductive habitat requirements of federally threatened blackside dace Chrosomus cumberlandensis. Eastern Kentucky University Undergraduate Presentation Showcase. Richmond, KY.

• Scherer AE, Santangelo N. 2011. Reproductive habitat requirements of the federally threatened blackside dace Chrosomus cumberlandensis. National Collegiate Honors Council Conference. Pheonix, AZ.

• Scherer AE, Nowicki S. 2009. Feminism in Twilight. National Collegiate Honors Council Conference. Washington, DC.

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Invited Guest Lectures

• Scherer AE. 2019. Mendeley and the benefits of reference managers. Brown bag seminar series, Cramer Fish Sciences. Sacramento, CA.

• Scherer AE. 2018. Nonconsumptive predator effects. Chat with an Ecologist Program, Ecology course, Jacksonville State University. Jacksonville, FL via Skype.

• Scherer AE, Henaut Y. 2018. Aprendizaje social como un mecanismo ecologico de invasion en el pez leon Pterois volitans.  ECOSUR seminar series. Chetumal, QR, MX.

• Scherer A. 2017. Characterization of an induced morphological defense in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. ECOSUR seminar series. Chetumal, QR, MX.

• Scherer AE. 2017. Scared strong: An oyster’s guide to smelling your way to a longer life. Veterans Memorial High School. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE. 2017. Characterization of an induced morphological defense in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Del Mar College Seminar Series. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE, Lunt J, Draper AM, Smee DL. 2016. Characterizing the induced defensive responses of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Smithsonian Marine Station Seminar Series. Fort Pierce, FL.

• Scherer AE, Lunt J, Draper AM, Smee DL. 2015. Scared strong: an oyster's guide to smelling your way to a longer life. Coastal Bend Audubon Society Meeting. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE, Lunt J, Draper AM, Smee DL. 2014. The role of predation cue sources on inducible defenses in the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Harte Research Institute Seminar Series. Corpus Christi, TX.

• Scherer AE. 2013. The role of predation cue sources on inducible defenses in the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Beta Beta Beta Meeting. Corpus Christi, TX.

Grants

Texas Sea Grant’s Grants-In-Aid of Graduate Research (2016-2017)

Use of novel predator diet cues in the Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica

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Texas Sea Grant’s Grants-In-Aid of Graduate Research (2015-2016)

Effects of novel diet cues on the inducible defenses of eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica

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Texas Sea Grant’s Grants-In-Aid of Graduate Research (2014-2015)

Characterization of morphological defenses and their energetic costs in the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

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Texas Sea Grant’s Grants-In-Aid of Graduate Research (2013-2014)

The impact of predator movement patterns on inducible defenses in the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

Outreach and Communication

Student Outreach

• Skype a Scientist (7 presentations: 2017-2020)

• Marine biology outreach presentations

  • Colerain Township Summer Camp Fun Fridays (2020)

  • Veterans Memorial High School-Aquatic Science classes (2017)

  • Thomas Jefferson Elementary School-3rd grade, gifted and talented (2017)

  • Riverside Elementary School- 5th grade, gifted and talented (2017)

  • Kostoryz Elementary School-with live animal experience, 3rd grade (2016)

  • Thomas Jefferson Elementary School-3rd grade (2009-2015)

  • Riverside Elementary School- gifted and talented (2015)

• Science Fair Judge

  • Coastal Bend Regional Science Fair K-5 Judge (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)

  • Catholic Central Elementary Science Fair (2016)

  • Kostoryz Elementary Science Fair (2016)

• Science Olympiad’s Corpus Christi Regional Competition volunteer (2017)

• National Ocean Sciences Bowl’s Loggerhead Challenge volunteer (2017)

• Kostoryz Elementary Science Spectacular activity leader (2015, 2016)

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Science Communication

• Alda Center "Know Your Audience" workshop (2020)

• 3MT® Three Minutes Thesis Competition

  • First Annual TAMUCC Master’s Competition judge (Spring 2016)

  • Southern Regional Competition participant (2016)

  • First Annual TAMUCC Doctoral Competition winner (Fall 2015)

• COMPASS “Communicating Your Science” training session hosted by UTMSI (2016)

• Student Workshop for Professional Conference Training and Grantsmanship participant (2015)

  • Special extended training: Communicating Science

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Writing

• ECO Magazine article (2017)

• Online Nature MagazineWriting Bootcamp (5 weeks, instructor Wendee Nicole, 2016)

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Social Media

• Twitter Master-Ecological Society of America Early Career Ecologist Section (2016-20)

• Crafted social media products (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) for project funder (US Department of Defense; 2018)

• Presented at the Biotweeps Twitter Conference (2018)

• SciFund x LSU class: Using Instagram to advance your research career (2017)

• SciFund class: Using Twitter to advance your research career (2016)

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Video and Public Relations

• Texas Shores Magazine

  • Photo publication (Spring 2020)​

  • Profile on my dissertation research (Spring 2020)

• Festival Booths for Cramer Fish Sciences​

  • Stanislaus River Salmon Festival (2020)​

  • Merced River Fair (2019)

• Alumni profile

  • Eastern Kentucky University (Fall 2019)​

• News interviews

  • Special on personal and general university research (Summer 2014)

  • Special on new life sciences building (Summer 2015)

• TAMUCC State of the University Video Student Reporter (2015)

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Community Service

• Sacramento Tree Foundation-Save the Elms Program tree monitoring volunteer (2019)

• Earth Day Volunteer, Sacramento, CA (2019)

• Earth Day Bay Day Volunteer, Corpus Christi, TX (2015)

• School supply drive for Belizean students (Spring 2011)

Certifications