1. Dennis A. Conetta
2539 Boston Post Road Darien, CT 06820 Phone: (203)-940-1560 dconetta1@my.uri.edu
EDUCATION University ofRhode Island,Kingston,RI: Graduated in December 2014 - Cum GPA: 3.37
Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, CumLaude; Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and
Conservation Biology, CumLaude
Honors: National Honors Society (Phi Eta Sigma), National Society of Collegiate Scholars,
Dean’s List Recipient 2010-2012 & Fall 2014
Related Course Work in Major(s): Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Vertebrate Biology,
Conservation Biology, Statistics, Principles of Wildlife Ecology and Management,
Genetics, Marine Mammals Seminar, Oceanography, Wetland Ecology
Bermuda Institute ofOcean Sciences: August - Dec 2012 (GPA:3.43, Dean’s List)
Related Course Work in Major(s): TropicalMarine Invertebrate Zoology, Coral Reef
Ecology, Research Diving Methods
PUBLICATIONS Forrester,G., Baily, P., Conetta, D.,Forrester,L.,Kintzing, E., and Jarecki, L., Comparing
monitoring data collected by volunteers and professionals shows that citizen scientists can detect
long-term change on coral reefs,Journal for Nature Conservation (2015).
SKILLS Computer Data Analysis Small Boats Training/Boating License
Scientific diving/snorkeling experience Laboratory Animal Handling
Greenhouse Gas Sampling (GC machine) Wetland Delineation & Classification
Caribbean Fish and Invertebrate ID Wetland Plant and Basic Invertebrate ID
Molecular Lab Experience (DNA extraction, PCR, and Nanodrop)
CERTIFICATIONS PADI Open Water Certified, Advanced Open Water Certified, Rescue Diver Certified, American
Academy of Underwater Science Recognized Scientific Diver, Emergency First Responder
Certified, Emergency O2 Provider, and CPR Certified
EXPERIENCE RI Department ofEnvironmental Management Water Quality Monitoring Intern, Providence, RI
May 2015 – Present (Supervisor: Mark Nimiroski)
 Assisted in ambient river monitoring field station sample collection in Pawcatuck River Basin
 Calibrated YSI (barometric pressure,dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and specific
conductance) for daily field station sampling
 Obtained GPS coordinates and formatted coordinates for GoogleEarth and ARC GIS
 Transcribed and compiled field data, including field parameters, digital photos, bottle sets,
and chain of custody forms for Rhode Island Dept. of Health and other contracted labs
University ofRhode Island Laboratory Assistant, Kingston, RI; November 2014 – May 2015
(Supervisor: Dr. Serena Moseman-Valtierra)
 Assisted on various projects in Dr. Moseman-Valtierra’s lab which, were focused on coastal
marine ecology. Primarily worked with a Ph.D. candidate Melanie Garate with her research
on the release of greenhouse gases from marine invertebrates.
 Performed and assisted in numerous mesocosm experiments with the goal of obtaining
greenhouse gas samples from the subtidal invertebrates Mytilus edulis and Mercenaria
mercenaria.
 Additional Projects in Lab: Performed DNA extractions of salt marsh microbes and ran PCR
on these extractions, measured gas samples from water treatment plants on GC, ran
ammonium samples through spectrometer,extracted gas fluctuation data in real time from
Piccaro at Waste Water Treatment Plant

2. W. Alton Jones URIEnvironmental Education Camp Counselor, West Greenwich, RI; June-
August 2014 (Supervisor: John Jacques)
 Taught and led campers ages 9-17 in environmentally based programs
 Supervised camper safety daily; overnight in cabins, at meals, and during field trips
 Led off-campus camping trips
Waterfowl Monitoring, Kingston, RI; January – May 2014 (Supervisor: Dr. Richard McKinney)
 Monitored and recorded waterfowl populations weekly in Jamestown and Newport,RI
 Performed weekly behavioral analyses of Harlequin Duck populations in both locations
URI Marine Biology Mentor, Kingston, RI; September 2013- May 2014
(Supervisor: Dr. Jacqueline Webb)
 Assisted fellow Marine Biology students with scheduling and guidance for career goals
 Attended open houses to talk to perspective students and families
Coral ReefRestoration Project, Guana Island, BVI; August 2013
 Obtained corals of opportunity(broken coral fragments found on substrate around growing
colony) through scuba diving and snorkeling and transplanted them either directly to reef or
grown in a nursery
 Obtained measurements and photographs of each fragment collected
 Tracked growth of corals after three month period through ImageJ program
 Aided in acquiring data for additional projects while in Guana – Whelk Shell Morphology
and Whelk Tenacity studies
NSF RI EPSCoR Intern, Kingston, RI; May-August 2013 (Supervisor: Dr. Graham Forrester)
 Research based internship aided by faculty
 Compiled and analyzed professional and volunteer reef monitoring data
 Presented project on poster board to fellow members of the scientific community and the
public- The Comparative Analysis of Volunteer and Professional Reef Monitoring Systems in
the British Virgin Islands
Tropical Marine Biology Research, BIOS,St. George, Bermuda; Aug – Dec 2012
 Obtained field data; coral reef composition, parrotfish counts, and behavior analyses
 Researched,compiled, and transformed findings into scientific paper
 Presented findings to peers – The Effects of Parrotfish Herbivory on Coral Diversity and Reef
Community Structure
VOLUNTEERISM
Information Specialist, Norwalk Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk, CT; Fall 2008 – 2010
 Educated guests on aquarium exhibits and answered questions regarding marine life
DIVING Dives to date(40 Scientific, 21 Recreation/Training - 52 Caribbean, 9 New England Dives)
EXPERIENCE DAN Insured (Member ID #2298654 – Expires 4/30/15)
ACTIVITIES Treasurer of Scuba Club Marine Science Society Member
URI Relay for Life Cancer Walk Participant URI Calculus Bowl Participant
Captain of URI Intramural Basketball & Volleyball Teams
References available upon request