Nelson A. Vayda

Education

Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida, Expected May 2022

Canton High School, Canton, Michigan, May 2018

Experience

• Paid position in the natural sciences tutoring program at Eckerd College
• Help students with class work, studying, and organization
• Experience explaining difficult topics in ways that make them easier to understand

• Title: A Potential Connection Between Coral-Associated Bacteria and Disease Resilience in Acropora cervicornis
• Presented undergraduate research to students and faculty members
• Created poster and website containing research information
• https://sites.google.com/eckerd.edu/vayda-poster

• Working in conjunction with Mote Marine Laboratory to research host-microbe interactions and how the mutualistic or commensal microbiota of corals influence the host’s physiological response to various abiotic and biotic stressors
• Growing and using gene sequencing to identify unknown strains of bacteria
• Testing anti-pathogenic abilities of bacteria strains to determine if they are offering protection against disease to the corals they are associated with
• Comparing bacterial communities associated with disease resistance and disease susceptible genotypes of the coral Acorpora cervicornis
• Funded by Natural Sciences Summer Research Program during the Summer of 2021

• Researching the reach of human impact on local waters
• Sorting through samples of manatee gut contents and water samples looking for plastic

• Answered visitor questions about the 75 penguins of 4 species (Rockhopper, Macaroni, Gentoo, King) in the new state-of-the-art Polk Penguin Conservation Center

• Planned and carried out restoration of a butterfly garden with new plants, borders, and mulch
• Organized and managed volunteers to assist with work

• Three trips to Costa Rica with Spanish class included service at the La Marina Wildlife Rescue Center, Comite Pro Futuro de Gandoca Sea Turtle Conservation Project, and the Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center

• Packaged food into boxes for distribution to clients, delivered food items, and greeted clients

• Helped students of all ages with their school work in mathematics, science, reading, and writing

Academic Scholarships

• Founders Scholarship – 2018-present
• Eckerd College Grant – 2018-present

College Activities

• Sigma Delta Pi (National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society)
• Coralisma Club
• Marine Science Club
• Shark Conservation Club

High School Activities

• Boy Scouts of America – Eagle Scout, Senior Patrol Leader
• National Honor Society – 2 years – volunteer activities included tutoring and food bank
• Cross Country Team – 4 years
• Track and Field Team – 4 years
• Service-Learning Trips to Costa Rica – 3 years

Skills

• Computer Skills: HTML Coding, Google Docs, Excel, Word, and Powerpoint
• Lab Skills: Growing and Handling Bacteria, Extracting DNA from Bacterial Samples, Using PCR to Amplify Target Genes, Identifying Bacteria Species Using Gene Database
• Languages: Spanish
• SCUBA: SDI Open Water Diver Certification