1. Brittany Wolfe
Gloucester Point, VA 508-280-2795 brittanywolfeable@gmail.com
EDUCATION University of Maine, Orono, Maine
B.S. in Marine Science, Concentration in Marine Biology, May, 2012
Darling Marine Center, Walpole, Maine
Semester by the Sea – Fall Semester 2010
RESEARCH
EXPERIENCE
Polyploid Specialist/ Temporary Hatchery Manager November 2015-Present
Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Technology Center
Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), Gloucester Point, VA
Polyploid Specialist- manage polyploid material in the field at multiple field sites using rack and
bag, adjustable long line system, oversee inventory management, assist staff with spawns and
maintain polyploid larval and seed cultures, certify polyploid seed, assist in histological work:
embed oyster samples, stain and clean histology slides
Hatchery Manager- managed polyploid oyster hatchery: pumped water, maintained algal
cultures, spawning, larval husbandry, broodstock conditioning, seed maintenance, polyploid
certification (flow cytometry), coordinated staff, trained Oyster Aquaculture Training participants
Algae/ Hatchery Technician March-November 2015
Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Technology Center, VIMS
Grew and maintained healthy microalgae cultures (Pavlova sp., T-iso sp., Chaetoceros sp., Tetraselmis sp.)
Executed algal culture techniques, calculated feeding requirements, determined algal densities
Assisted in algal probiotic experiment for another academic facility; maintained records of
experimental data, packed and shipped biological samples
Trained Oyster Aquaculture Training participants in basic algal culturing techniques
Oyster Aquaculture Training Program Participant April-September 2014
Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Technology Center, VIMS
Experienced in oyster hatchery, field grow-out, and laboratory setting
Strip spawned Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica), checked fertilization, gonad ripeness,
egg/sperm quality, larval husbandry: counted culture densities, measured shell lengths, cleaned
tanks, calculated setting rates
Conducted experiment with triploid/ tetraploid larvae, recorded, analyzed, and summarized data
Assisted in flow cytometry of gill tissue/larvae to determine ploidy
Used culchless setting, upwelling and downwelling systems, nursery maintenance, counted seed
densities, bagged and sorted oysters
Developed knowledge of field grow-out methods: rack and bag
Acquired basic plumbing and construction skills
Algae/ Hatchery Technician November 2014-February 2015
KCB Oyster Holdings LLC. Lottsburg, VA
Grew and maintained healthy microalgae cultures (Tetraselmis sp., C-Iso sp., T-Iso sp.,Chaetoceros sp.)
Performed algal culture techniques, transfers, collected and recorded algal densities
Calculated larval feeding requirements
Developed knowledge and maintenance of algal bag system, and flow through systems
Performed weekly water quality tests
Assisted with hatchery operations (cleaned and maintained broodstock/larval oysters)
Acquired basic plumbing and construction skills
Volunteer/Internship May 2011- April 2014
National Marine Life Center, Buzzards Bay, MA
Served as Animal Care Volunteer for stranded seals, aquatic turtles, and terrestrial turtles: assisted
in feeding, restrained seals, administered treatments
Performed water quality and E. coli tests
Conducted public outreach and education services
Final project: Created educational coloring sheets with accurate marine facts about the
organisms, and created a volunteer training tutorial for future volunteer
2. SKILLS SCUBA Certified- April 2012
Proficient in the use of light microscopes and flow cytometer
HONORS/
ACHIEVEMENTS Gordon Gunter Award, 2015
Dean’s List, 2012
PRESENTATIONS Comparative larval performance between tetraploid x tetraploid and tetraploid x diploid
constructs using mosaic and non-mosaic Crassostrea virginica parents. National Shellfisheries
Association Conference, Monterey Bay, CA, March 2015 (poster)
Student Laboratory Technician IV January 2010-May 2012
University of Maine, Orono, Maine
Dr. Paul Rawson’s Research Lab
Cultured and maintained microalgae, prepared artificial sea water
Fed and maintained M. edulis, M. trossulus and C. virginica.
Senior project: Variation in Susceptibility to Roseovarius Oyster Disease among Genetic Lines of
Eastern Oysters Crassostrea virginica.
Student Laboratory Technician III January 2010-June 2012
University of Maine, Orono, Maine
Dr. Yong Chen’s Research Lab, Supervisor: Sam Truesdell
Determined age of sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus), examined shells for worm and/or impact
damage.
Student Laboratory Technician IV January 2010-May 2012
University of Maine, Orono, Maine
Dr. Ian Bricknell’s Research Lab, Supervisor: Sarah Barker
Technician at the Aquaculture Research Center
Disassembled and constructed recirculating systems: PVC piping, water pumps, power tools
Counted lice on juvenile Atlantic Salmon, removed pit tags, and completed data entry
Maintained juvenile Atlantic Salmon
Performed water quality tests, assisted with assays, bacteria culturing, performed basic DNA and
RNA work
Student Research Assistant October-December 2010
Darling Marine Center, Walpole, Maine
Assisted in an experiment using aquacultured oysters infested with the marine worm, Polydora
websteri: allocated various treatments, performed data analysis
Hatchery Assistant September 2008-May 2010
Sea & Reef Aquaculture
University of Maine, Orono, Maine
Managed broodstock, larval, and growout phases of numerous marine ornamental fish species
Maintained live zooplankton cultures including Rotifers and Artemia sp. and sustained cultures of
phytoplankton
Maintained, repaired and performed daily assessments on saltwater recirculation systems
Carried out daily water quality, organized files, fish data, and supply logs
Sampled, observed, evaluated, and packed fish to be transported
Supervised and trained students, and lead tours of the facility
Mashpee Shellfish Department (Volunteer) June-July 2008
Mashpee, MA
Helped distribute oyster seed in Popponesset and Waquoit Bay
Collected samples, and performed water quality tests
