Dawn (Scully) Sikora

Execute daily rearing of mission-critical insect populations in controlled environments while learning facility infrastructure, sanitation protocols, and utilizing PowerApps for professional communication and administrative workflows. Collaborate with team members on supply logistics and facility upkeep while proactively identifying workplace hazards and suggesting solutions. Coordinated across colony maintenance and upkeep of daily protocol.

Mid Level Seed Technician (Contract) - Bayer Crop Science - Waterman, IL

(2026-03)

• Execute daily rearing of mission-critical insect populations in controlled environments while learning facility infrastructure, sanitation protocols, and utilizing PowerApps for professional communication and administrative workflows.
• Collaborate with team members on supply logistics and facility upkeep while proactively identifying workplace hazards and suggesting solutions.
• Coordinated across colony maintenance and upkeep of daily protocol.

Co-Founder and Co-Manager - The Apis Farm, LLC: Bee Haven Fields

(2015-03)

• Advise planting decisions, crop selection for a small startup apiary
• Identify and treat hive pests including Varroa mites, wax moths, and hive beetles

Insect Production Worker - USDA APHIS PPQ Sterile Insect Release Facility

(2024-02 - 2024-07)

• Rearing of mission critical insects for the protection of agriculture crops.
• Learning production and operations of the facility and the basics of USDA APHIS.

PhD Graduate Student - Clemson University

(2018-08 - 2023-08)

• Conducted and managed multi-year greenhouse and field randomized complete block trials
• Developed, generated and analyzed data for presentation at professional conferences
• Performed primary research: Sunflower trap crops and commercial lures tests
• Social chair for Entomology club 2019-2020, Graduate Student Government Senator (GSG) 2019-2021, 2021-2022, Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) committee 2022-2023, Entomological Society of America (ESA) Southeastern branch student representative 2019-2022

Graduate Research Assistant - University of Nebraska – Department of Entomology

(2014-03 - 2016-05)

• Conducted and managed multi-year greenhouse and pivot-irrigated field randomized complete block trials
• Performed primary research: Pericarp strength as defense against sunflower head moth in sunflowers

Research Assistant - University of Tennessee – Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

(2011-01 - 2012-08)

• Performed primary research: Insect cellulases in biofuel development, Insect-Plant-Pathogen interactions
• Social Chair, Entomology and Plant Pathology (EPP) Student Government Association: (October 2011 – May 2012)

Reference Librarian - Midwestern University

(2007-03 - 2011-02)

• Analyzed and developed reference collections
• Assisted front desk operations, interlibrary loan, and patron concerns
• Conducted lectures and library user instruction
• Performed reference, research, and mediated database searching

Practicum Student - Midwestern University

(2006-09 - 2007-01)

Co-op Technical - Argonne National Laboratory – Department of Educational Programs

(2002-06 - 2008-01)

• Assisted in large-scale events: Science Careers in Search of Women, Rube Goldberg Competition, ect.
• Developed class curriculum and lab experiments, supervision and instruction: K-12, college and community groups
• Operated and maintained instrumentation: FAA, GCMS, Gel-Electrophoresis and others

STA – Special Term Appointee - Argonne National Laboratory – Department of Educational Programs

(2008-01 - 2008-08)

Adult Transition Committee - Illinois Autism Taskforce

(2020-01)

President - DuPage Families Disability Network

(2014-01)

Substitute Teaching (art, math, science) K-12 - Various

(2008-01 - 2010-01)

Masters in Plant and Environmental Sciences - Entomology - Clemson University (2024-08)

Masters in Entomology - Entomology - University of Nebraska (2017-08)

Masters in Library and Information Sciences - Library and Information Science - Dominican University (2007-05)

Bachelor of Science, Honors, Distinction - Biochemistry - Dominican University (2005-05)