Larissa Kitchens

PhD-trained marine biologist with 12+ years of research experience and expertise in scientific literature review, technical writing, research evaluation, and complex data interpretation. Author of multiple peer-reviewed publications with extensive experience communicating scientific concepts to technical and non-technical audiences. Skilled at assessing scientific accuracy, identifying inconsistencies, synthesizing information from multiple sources, and delivering clear, evidence-based analyses.

Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work independently in remote environments.

Doctoral Researcher - Texas A&M University, Galveston - Galveston, Texas

(2009-06 - 2017-04)

Led independent doctoral research investigating population connectivity of Atlantic yellowfin tuna using geochemical and genetic techniques

• Coordinated international collaborations across 8 countries to support multi-year research initiatives and biological sample collection
• Analyzed and interpreted large scientific datasets and communicated findings through peer-reviewed publications, grant reports, conference presentations, and regulatory documentation
• Evaluated and synthesized scientific evidence from multiple sources to support research conclusions
• Produced technical reports and scientific manuscripts requiring rigorous attention to accuracy, consistency, and scientific validity

Research Assistant - Texas A&M University, Galveston - Galveston, Texas

(2008-06 - 2008-08)

Examined nutrient assimilation in restored brackish wetlands, assisted in design and construction of experimental equipment

Research Assistant - University of Texas, Austin - Austin, Texas

(2008-12 - 2009-04)

Examined microevolution in pond metacommunities using microsatellite analysis

• Designed and executed an independent research project to assess the effects of nutrient enrichment on pond communities

Research Assistant - University of Texas, Austin - Austin, Texas

(2005-09 - 2008-03)

Examined whether the efficacy and reliability of military dogs can be predicted from behavioral assessments conducted during the juvenile stage

• Designed and edited behavior assessment coding manuals, observed and coded canine behaviors, ran coding experiments using ~50 human participants

Instructor/Teaching Assistant - Texas A&M University at Galveston - Galveston, Texas

(2010-08 - 2015-12)

Served as instructor/teaching assistant for 7 undergraduate courses

• Developed and delivered lectures and educational materials for audiences of 25-100 people

Lead Scientist - Texas A&M University, Galveston - Galveston, Texas

(2010-06 - 2015-07)

Served as lead scientist during 10 offshore research expeditions (4-6 days each)

• Managed and trained teams of 4-9 researchers during each expedition

Supervisor/Mentor - Texas A&M University, Galveston - Galveston, Texas

(2009-01 - 2015-09)

Supervised and trained 12 undergraduate research assistants

Primary Supervisor/Mentor - Texas A&M University, Galveston - Galveston, Texas

(2013-06 - 2013-12)

Served as primary supervisor/mentor for exchange graduate student from Brazil

PhD - Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Marine Biology - Texas A&M University, College Station (2017-05)

Bachelor of Science - Biology - University of Texas, Austin (2008-12)

Bachelor of Science - Psychology - University of Texas, Austin (2008-12)