Work Experience
2010- 2012 Aurora Algae Inc., Research Associate Hayward, CA
· Algal physiology experiments including PAM fluorescence, growth tests and GC lipid analysis. Sterile culture technique: liquid media and plating.
Library management of algal strains.
· Transformation and screening of mutants, random mutagenesis, insertional mutation
· Sitefinder PCR, inverse PCR, amplification PCR and prep for sequencing.
· Develop chemical control protocol for grazer contaminants in open ponds algae cultures.
2007-2009 Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCSF Research Associate San Francisco, CA
· Perform a variety of laboratory protocols using human cancer specimens including tissue microdissection, Taqman RT-PCR, DNA and RNA extraction and purification, RNA amplification, electrophoresis, reverse transcription, international collaboration on gene expression analysis and comparative genomic hybridization of paraffin-embedded tumor tissues.
· Manage lab inventories, supplies and data. Assist in data analysis and submission of manuscripts.
· Algal physiology experiments including PAM fluorescence, growth tests and GC lipid analysis. Sterile culture technique: liquid media and plating.
Library management of algal strains.
· Transformation and screening of mutants, random mutagenesis, insertional mutation
· Sitefinder PCR, inverse PCR, amplification PCR and prep for sequencing.
· Develop chemical control protocol for grazer contaminants in open ponds algae cultures.
2007-2009 Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCSF Research Associate San Francisco, CA
· Perform a variety of laboratory protocols using human cancer specimens including tissue microdissection, Taqman RT-PCR, DNA and RNA extraction and purification, RNA amplification, electrophoresis, reverse transcription, international collaboration on gene expression analysis and comparative genomic hybridization of paraffin-embedded tumor tissues.
· Manage lab inventories, supplies and data. Assist in data analysis and submission of manuscripts.
Research Experience
2006-2007 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University Directed Research Providence, RI
· Research title: “Relative representation of regional phyla biodiversity in local pools”
· Advisor: Jon D. Witman
· Manipulated an existing global database of sub-tidal invertebrate biodiversity. Utilized Excel, EstimateS and JMP software to analyze the relationship between regional and local species diversity of phylogenetic group and dispersal distance.
Fall 2005 Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory Independent Research Woods Hole, MA
· Research title: “Affects of nutrient load on habitat structure and foraging behavior of Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio.”
· Advisor: Linda A. Deegan
· Created protocol for sampling local salt marsh cord grass and algae, and developed seining techniques for Grass Shrimp quantification in narrow tidal channels. Maintained and manipulated live specimens of Mummichog and Grass Shrimp in laboratory setting.
Summer 2005 UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory NSF REU Intern Bodega Bay, CA
· Research title: “Zonation of oyster drills in Tomales Bay; classical estuary or new pattern?”
· Advisors: David L. Kimbro, Edwin D. Grosholz and Susan L. Williams
· Designed and executed field and lab portions of individual project, as well as contributing to accomplishment of PI’s field research goals.
Responsible for scientific paper, poster presentation and final lecture to the lab faculty and staff.
· Research title: “Relative representation of regional phyla biodiversity in local pools”
· Advisor: Jon D. Witman
· Manipulated an existing global database of sub-tidal invertebrate biodiversity. Utilized Excel, EstimateS and JMP software to analyze the relationship between regional and local species diversity of phylogenetic group and dispersal distance.
Fall 2005 Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory Independent Research Woods Hole, MA
· Research title: “Affects of nutrient load on habitat structure and foraging behavior of Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio.”
· Advisor: Linda A. Deegan
· Created protocol for sampling local salt marsh cord grass and algae, and developed seining techniques for Grass Shrimp quantification in narrow tidal channels. Maintained and manipulated live specimens of Mummichog and Grass Shrimp in laboratory setting.
Summer 2005 UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory NSF REU Intern Bodega Bay, CA
· Research title: “Zonation of oyster drills in Tomales Bay; classical estuary or new pattern?”
· Advisors: David L. Kimbro, Edwin D. Grosholz and Susan L. Williams
· Designed and executed field and lab portions of individual project, as well as contributing to accomplishment of PI’s field research goals.
Responsible for scientific paper, poster presentation and final lecture to the lab faculty and staff.
Education
2012-2015 San Francisco State University Tiburon, CA
· M.S. Marine Biology
· Thesis: "Influence of NH4-rich effluent on phytoplankton dynamics in the upper Sacramento River"
2003-2007 Brown University Providence, RI
· Sc.B. Human Biology: Ecology, Evolution and Environment, Honors
· Senior research: “Relative representation of regional phyla biodiversity in local pools”
Fall 2005 Marine Biological Laboratory Woods Hole, MA
· The Ecosystems Center: Semester in Environmental Science
· Research title: “Effects of nutrient load on habitat structure and foraging behavior of Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio.”
· M.S. Marine Biology
· Thesis: "Influence of NH4-rich effluent on phytoplankton dynamics in the upper Sacramento River"
2003-2007 Brown University Providence, RI
· Sc.B. Human Biology: Ecology, Evolution and Environment, Honors
· Senior research: “Relative representation of regional phyla biodiversity in local pools”
Fall 2005 Marine Biological Laboratory Woods Hole, MA
· The Ecosystems Center: Semester in Environmental Science
· Research title: “Effects of nutrient load on habitat structure and foraging behavior of Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio.”
Honors and Awards
· ARCS Scholar 2014-2015
· CSU COAST Research Award 2012
· SFSU Biology Dept., IRA Research Supplies Award 2012
· Sigma Xi National Honors Research Society
· Association for Women in Science (AWIS)
· American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Member
· Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) Member
· CSU COAST Research Award 2012
· SFSU Biology Dept., IRA Research Supplies Award 2012
· Sigma Xi National Honors Research Society
· Association for Women in Science (AWIS)
· American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Member
· Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) Member
Publications and Presentations
· Travis, N., A.E. Parker, F.P. Wilkerson, R.C. Dugdale, T. Kraus. Response of Sacramento River phytoplankton community composition to ammonium-rich wastewater in mesocosms. Bay Delta Science Conference 2014 – Poster Presentation, October 27, 2014
· Travis, N., A.E. Parker, F.P. Wilkerson, R.C. Dugdale, T. Kraus. Response of Sacramento River phytoplankton communities to NO3 and Effluent-NH4 in enclosures. 2014 California Estuarine Research Society Conference – Poster Presentation, September 26, 2014
· Travis, N., A.E. Parker, F.P. Wilkerson, T. Kraus, B. Bergamaschi, T. Mussen, T. Lee. Phytoplankton community response to ammonium-rich effluent in the Sacramento River. 2014 Annual Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) Workshop – Poster Presentation, Feb. 26, 2014
· Travis, N., A.E. Parker, F.P. Wilkerson, R.C. Dugdale. PhytoFlash Active Fluorescence probe: applications in a turbid estuary, San Francisco Bay, CA. Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation – Poster Presentation, Nov. 4, 2013
· Travis, N., A.E. Parker, F.P. Wilkerson, R.C. Dugdale. PhytoFlash Active Fluorescence probe: applications in a turbid estuary, San Francisco Bay, CA. State of the Estuary – Poster Presentation Oct. 29, 2013
· David L. Kimbro, Edwin D. Grosholz, Adam J. Baukas, Nicholas J. Nesbitt, Nicole M. Travis, Sarikka Attoe and Caitlin Coleman-Hulbert (2009). Invasive species cause large-scale loss of native California oysters by disrupting trophic cascades. Oecologia Vol. 160, pp 563-575.
· Travis, N., J.D. Witman. (2007). Does life history and taxonomic grouping influence the regional-local species diversity relationship in marine communities? Brown Biology Department Annual Poster Presentation 2007.
· Travis, N., L.A. Deegan. (2005). Affects of nutrient load on habitat structure and foraging behavior of Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio. MBL SES Student Seminar Series 2005.
· Kimbro, D. L., N. Travis, and E. D. Grosholz. (2005). The distribution of native and nonnative whelks and its effect on native oyster communities in Tomales Bay, CA. 86th Annual Meeting of Western Society of Naturalists.
· Travis, N., D.L. Kimbro, E.D. Grosholz. (2005). Factors limiting the distribution of a native (Acanthinucella spirata) and non-native (Urosalpinx cinerea) oyster drill in Tomales Bay, California. BML REU Student Project Presentations 2005.
· Travis, N., A.E. Parker, F.P. Wilkerson, R.C. Dugdale, T. Kraus. Response of Sacramento River phytoplankton communities to NO3 and Effluent-NH4 in enclosures. 2014 California Estuarine Research Society Conference – Poster Presentation, September 26, 2014
· Travis, N., A.E. Parker, F.P. Wilkerson, T. Kraus, B. Bergamaschi, T. Mussen, T. Lee. Phytoplankton community response to ammonium-rich effluent in the Sacramento River. 2014 Annual Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) Workshop – Poster Presentation, Feb. 26, 2014
· Travis, N., A.E. Parker, F.P. Wilkerson, R.C. Dugdale. PhytoFlash Active Fluorescence probe: applications in a turbid estuary, San Francisco Bay, CA. Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation – Poster Presentation, Nov. 4, 2013
· Travis, N., A.E. Parker, F.P. Wilkerson, R.C. Dugdale. PhytoFlash Active Fluorescence probe: applications in a turbid estuary, San Francisco Bay, CA. State of the Estuary – Poster Presentation Oct. 29, 2013
· David L. Kimbro, Edwin D. Grosholz, Adam J. Baukas, Nicholas J. Nesbitt, Nicole M. Travis, Sarikka Attoe and Caitlin Coleman-Hulbert (2009). Invasive species cause large-scale loss of native California oysters by disrupting trophic cascades. Oecologia Vol. 160, pp 563-575.
· Travis, N., J.D. Witman. (2007). Does life history and taxonomic grouping influence the regional-local species diversity relationship in marine communities? Brown Biology Department Annual Poster Presentation 2007.
· Travis, N., L.A. Deegan. (2005). Affects of nutrient load on habitat structure and foraging behavior of Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio. MBL SES Student Seminar Series 2005.
· Kimbro, D. L., N. Travis, and E. D. Grosholz. (2005). The distribution of native and nonnative whelks and its effect on native oyster communities in Tomales Bay, CA. 86th Annual Meeting of Western Society of Naturalists.
· Travis, N., D.L. Kimbro, E.D. Grosholz. (2005). Factors limiting the distribution of a native (Acanthinucella spirata) and non-native (Urosalpinx cinerea) oyster drill in Tomales Bay, California. BML REU Student Project Presentations 2005.
