Chris Talbot | CV

Computational Lab Tech at the University of Michigan – Bradburd and Weber Labs

Status: Computational Lab Tech at the University of Michigan, Bradburd and Weber Labs
Field: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Interests: Evolutionary ecology, global change, population genetics, machine learning
Techs: Python, R, C++, Rust, SLiM

Summary

First-gen academic with years of experience in the lab, field, and behind a screen. Interested in patterns of ecological organization across spatiotemporal scales, the evolutionary drivers of those patterns, and how those patterns respond to global change. Fascinated with emerging methods for evaluating complex systems, including community science, machine learning, and tree sequence statistics.

Education

B.S. – Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 2024
University of Michigan (UMich) GPA: 3.74

A.G.S. – Computer Science & Mathematics 2020
Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) GPA: 3.9

  • Coursework: C++ programming, database development, web application programming, information security

Research

Lab Technician – Bradburd Lab 2024-Present
UMich-Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB)

Lab Technician – Weber Lab 2022-Present
UMich-EEB

  • Project: “Patterns of floral color in communities of common Northeast American wildflowers”

Undergraduate Researcher – Márquez Lab 2021-2022
UMich-EEB

  • Project: “Optimizing CRISPR-Cas9 genetic modification in Phyllobates poison-dart frogs”

Publications

In Preparation

Talbot, CA, Weber, MG. 2024. Investigating patterns of floral color across Northeast American wildflowers using citizen science data.

Fellowships and Grants

Biological Station Student Fellow 2023
UMich Biological Station $1,680

Student Research Grant 2022-2023
UMich Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) $5,000

Biomedical and Life Sciences Summer Fellow 2022
UMich UROP $4,000

Community College Summer Institute Fellow 2019
UMich-School of Information $100

Teaching and Mentoring

Docent (Volunteer Educator) 2023-Present
Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum

Forestry Test Writer & Proctor (Volunteer) 2023-Present
UMich Science Olympiad

Director of Percussion 2022-2023
Lake Orion Community Schools, Lake Orion, MI

Transfer Student Peer Mentor 2022-2023
UMich-LSA Transfer Bridges Program

Director of Percussion 2019-2022
Spring Lake Public Schools, Spring Lake, MI

Freelance Percussion Instructor and Composer 2018-2022
8 local high schools, Michigan

Professional Peer Tutor – GRCC Drop-in Tutoring Labs - Mathematics, Language Arts 2019-2020
GRCC

Professional & Service

Percussionist 2024-Present
Straits of Mackinac Concert Band, Mackinaw City, MI

Founder, President, and Volunteer 2023-Present
Students for Public Power @UM

Shift Leader 2021-2022
Biggby Coffee, Grand Rapids, MI

Seasonal Retail Lead 2019
John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids, MI

Presentations

Talk @ Evolution 2024, Montreal, QC
Do flowers of a color bloom together? (Talk V.2) 2024

Poster @ Evolution 2024, Montreal, QC
Do flowers of a color bloom together? (Poster V.2) 2024

Lightning Talk @ Botany 2024, Grand Rapids, MI
Do flowers of a color bloom together? (Lightning Talk) 2024

Poster @ Botany 2024, Grand Rapids, MI
Do flowers of a color bloom together? (Poster V.1) 2024

Talk @ UMich – Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Do flowers of a color bloom together? (Talk V.1) 2024

Poster @ UMich – UROP – Spring Symposium
Optimizing CRISPR-Cas9 genetic modification in Phyllobates poison-dart frogs 2022

Languages

R – Advanced (C1)
German – Intermediate (B2)
C++ – Intermediate (B2)
Python – Intermediate (B1)
Nishnaabemwin – Beginner (A1)

Certifications

Certified Michigan Naturalist 2024
Michigan State University-College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension

Professional Memberships

American Society of Naturalists – Student Member 2024-Present

Botanical Society of America – Student Member 2024-Present

Society for the Study of Evolution – Student Member 2022-Present

Extracurriculars

Founding Member 2023-Present
UMich Ecological Restoration Club

Vice President 2019-2020
GRCC Programmers

Ensemble Leader, Section Leader, and Snare Drummer 2014-2020
Genesis Percussion Ensemble

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