Timothy Macqueen

Timothy Macqueen MSc Botany (Protea Molecular Biology) About me: • • • • • • • I developed a novel genetic method for detecting hybrid Proteas in my MSc. Understood fundamental laboratory techniques Selected out of over 1000 applicants for the WWF graduate leader’s internship. Researched ways to improve PCR performance and execution. High level of interest in science and laboratory techniques Helped managing a Genetics Lab at Nelson Mandela University I am adaptable and always willing to learn new skills. Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa | --l South African ID:- l DOB: 09/07/1993 I SA Driver's Licence (Code B) I SA Passport I https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-macqueen-a9bb98110/ Work Experience Research Assistant NSCF - Gqeberha, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape April 2021 to March 2022 Remote work from home on the computer PURPOSE OF THE JOB The aim of being a Research Assistant was to allow the incumbent to develop and grow in the skills sets of Specify collection management, .xml manipulation on the computer, data migration on Specify and data cleaning on OpenRefine. To this end, I was tasked to support the Data manager expert of Natural Science Collections Facility in what he required of me. Throughout this research assistantship, I have been undergoing practical training while also being privileged to develop a network of contacts within SANBI and the NSCF. This has provided a thorough foundation to the museum data collection sector in South Africa. KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS • Migrate specimen records to the Specify collection management software platform • Assessment of database schema configuration, form design, queries, and reports • Data cleaning and preparation for migration • Conducting data reviews with institution staff during migration 1 TASKS Some of the key tasks of the post have included: • Working with fossil and helminth datasets • Data cleaning on OpenRefine • Database management • Record keeping via Asana • Meetings via Zoom Research Assistant SANBI - Gqeberha, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape December 2020 to March 2021 Remote computer work from home on laptop computer. PURPOSE OF THE JOB The aim of being a Research Assistant was to allow the incumbent to develop and grow in the skills sets of being the gazetteer custodian, literature reviewal and GIS. To this end, I was tasked to support the Systems Information manager, Project Coordinator: Biodiversity Informatics, biodiversity ecologists and gazetteer experts of SANBI in what they required of me. Throughout this research assistantship, I have been undergoing practical training while also being privileged to develop a network of contacts within SANBI. This has provided a thorough continuation to my involvement in the environmental/conservation sector in South Africa after my time at ECPTA. KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS • Error checking the gazetteer to produce a Quality Assessment Report • Using the backend SQL server to investigate the data quality of the gazetteer. • Assessing the wildlife economy evidence base for the effectiveness of interventions from the African Journal of Range and Forage Science and a variety of international journals regarding “rewilding rangelands”. • Produce GIS products-shapefiles, for wildlife management and decision makers. TASKS Some of the key tasks of the post have included: • Highlighting in the gazetteer erroneous points • Learning the intricacies of Brahms 7 and Brahms 8 on the job. • Database management • Literature analysis and assimilation for ‘interventions’ on Excel • Communication/meetings (clear and concise) via Zoom 2 WWF Intern at Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency East London April 2019-March 2020 PURPOSE OF THE JOB The aim of this WWF internship was to allow the incumbent to develop and grow in the skills sets needed in the conservation sector. To this end, I was tasked to support the biodiversity ecologists in the Agency through the provision of logistical support, administrative support, field work, data collection and data management. Throughout this internship, I have been undergoing practical training while also being privileged to develop a network of contacts within both the WWF and ECPTA. This has provided a thorough foundation to the environmental/conservation sector in the Eastern Cape. KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS • Provide logistical support to field and technical researchers • Provide administrative support to a range of key ECPTA personnel • Undertake data collection and data management across a variety of projects • Produce GIS products, including maps and shapefiles, for management and decision makers. TASKS Some of the key tasks of the post have included: • Compiling species lists for all the reserves from a range of sources • Ground-truthing species lists (involving extensive plant identification) • Theory and application of database design and management • Compiling SQL data queries in Microsoft Access • Offering a range of support for GPS, GIS and QGIS. This included, but not restricted to, georeferencing of non-GIS imagery, plotting points submitted by rangers/managers from reserves and providing tailored maps • Mapping vegetation, roads, alien species invasion, and unlawful activities and other encroachments for reserves for early detection monitoring using QGIS. • • Creating and maintaining the equipment inventory repository Procurement – compiling specifications, expected prices and tender documents for IT equipment • Learning and applying a range of Data Quality, Data Cleaning and Data Validation techniques Education 2017 – 2018 MSc Botany Nelson Mandela University Thesis title: “Re-opening the case of Frankenflora: Evidence of hybridisation between local and introduced Protea species at Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve” First chapter published: South African Journal of Botany 118, 315-320. This scientific paper required scientific precision and accuracy and formed part https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S-X . 3 of my MSc . BSc (Honours) Botany Cum Laude 2016 Nelson Mandela University Main research topic focussed on mapping and assessing the distribution of Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS) in estuaries along the Western Cape coastline of South Africa Honours Specialisations: General Botanical Techniques Marine Botany Landscape Ecology & GIS Plant Ecology R Statistics 2012 - 2015 BSc Nelson Mandela University Geology Geography 2007 - 2011 Botany (Major) Zoology (Major) B-Aggregate Matric Achieved Westering High School Transferrable Skills that I learnt in my MSc • • • • • • • • • • • • Laboratory stock taking, getting quotations, liaising with Lasec, Whitehead Scientific and Thermo Fisher Scientific for laboratory supplies. Management of a leaf collection database. PCR calibration, optimization and Gel electrophoresis Gave presentations at international and local conferences for my MSc. Work Understanding rules and functioning of Genetics lab Taught undergrad students the rules and functioning of the Genetics lab Was a demonstrator for undergrad students during my Honours year Standard molecular laboratory techniques (DNA extraction, PCR etc.). Note that I redesigned the laboratory DNA extraction protocol for Protea leaves to obtain better DNA yields than (and 1% of the cost of) standard plant DNA extraction kits. The exacting standards for precision and accuracy required in a molecular laboratory will be an asset in any scientific environment. Designed primers to use to detect hybrid Proteas via Gel Electrophoresis A good understanding and working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook I really enjoy working in the laboratory. I can adapt to any laboratory situation. 4 References 1. Dr Ian Engelbrecht Data Coordinator, Natural Science Collections Facility Mobile:-- 2. Dr Dean Pienke Senior Manager: Scientific Services, ECPTA Phone: - Mobile: --3. Mr Sherwyn Mack Biodiversity Database Manager, ECPTA Phone: -/- Mobile: +27 -- 4. Ms. Nomatile Nombewu Regional Ecologist, Operations, ECPTA Phone: - Mobile: -- 5. Prof. Janine Adams (Honours Supervisor) Director of the Institute for Coastal and Marine Research Professor in Botany at Nelson Mandela University Phone: -- 6. Dr. Phumelele Gama Position: Acting HOD of the Botany Department, NMU Phone: --7. Mahlatse Kgatla Data quality specialist, Natural Science Collections Facility Phone:- Mobile:- 5