Hello! I'm Melissa.
Welcome to my professional page!
In a nutshell, I am a highly organized self-motivator who excels in team-building and leadership roles, managing, training, and directing multidisciplinary initiatives, as well as developing, coordinating, organizing, and executing large-scale projects. I hope that while scrolling through you will be able to learn a little more about me.
BY THE NUMBERS
2
Higher Education Degrees
7
Publications
10
Performance
Awards
EXPERIENCE
July 2019-Present
Member on the Board of Directors
BEES IN THE D
A Detroit-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to create a cooperative effort between residents, schools, organizations, and businesses in the city of Detroit and Southeast Michigan to contribute to both the health of honey bee colonies and the education of their importance to our environment.
Dec. 2018-Present
Senior Business Process Analyst
DUPONT E&I
My core responsibilities are to validate and audit external distributor's monthly CUPS submissions. Work with channel sales specialists/businesses contacts on discrepancies and potential audit failures. Obtain appropriate payout approval from business delegate(s) ensuring proper Delegation of Authority is followed, and communicate with external customer base and provide reporting and reconciliation data when requested​.
Jan. 2017-Dec. 2018
Assistant Coordinator
DOW AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS
I assisted the Global Finance Leader and finance team by completing and sending daily sales reports, creating presentations, managing calendars and trips, and other various clerical tasks. I am also the go-to for all IT questions and issues. Through my first 18 months, I received 5 professional performance awards acknowledging my work ethic and initiative. I also started a "green" initiative in the building by encouraging more sustainable practices, such as recycling, reduced printing, and less use of single-use disposable products. In 2018, I hosted an Earth Day symposium to educate my coworkers on the issues our environment currently faces.
2015-Present
Adjunct Professor
MACOMB COMMUNITY COLLEGE
During the Fall and Winter semesters I teach Environmental Science for primarily non-major students.
May 2015-Jan. 2017
Zookeeper
2013-2015
Research Biologist
2012-2013
Research Assistant
2011-2013
Graduate Teaching Assistant
DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
I maintained the overall health of the birds within the zoo; Managed and mantained bird exhibits; Interpreted animals and exhibits to zoo visitors during “keeper talks” and led talks during the “penguin mingle” experiences; Conducted conservation research and collected data on Belle Isle.
HAWK MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY
I worked in collaboration with Dr. Keith Bildstein and Falklands Conservation to research the near-threatened falcon, Striated Caracara (Phalcoboenus australis; “Johnny Rook”), in the Falkland Islands. Through trapping and saturation banding of the Johnny Rooks, data were collected and used to determine population abundance, movement amongst islands using GPS-satellite transmitters, individual behaviors, and problem-solving skills. Blood samples were taken to determine seasonal variations in lead concentrations and determine the sex of banded individuals. I also maintained a research blog while in the field and collected, organized, and analyzed data from citizen scientists.
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
During my time at ASU, I assisted on two other research projects. The first researched the nesting behaviors of Black Skimmers (BLSKs) post BP oil spill in the Gulf. The project was a joint effort with Nicholls State University and the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries. My duties included trapping and banding nesting adult BLSKs, tracking BLSKs through telemetry, observing the nesting behaviors, maintaining and carrying equipment. I was also given the opportunity to help band > 225 Brown Pelican nestlings and learned how to tag fish while there. The second project researched the nesting behaviors of Eastern Bluebirds while I finished my thesis. My duties included checking nest boxes and assist in the banding and bleeding of adult and juvenile bluebirds.
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Each semester I primarily taught 4 laboratories for undergraduates at ASU. In the past I have taught Botany, Biological Sciences, Zoology, Embryology, and Cellular Biology. My duties included preparing the lectures and equipment for the lab, lesson plans, quizzes and exams. I also graded the quizzes, exams, and lab reports for each lab. After my first year of teaching I was awarded Arkansas State University's "Outstanding Graduate Student Award" based on positive student reviews and professor recommendations.
2011-2013
MSc. Graduate Student
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
I developed and conducted a thesis project researching the overwintering behaviors of Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels; Managed and instructed a group of volunteers; Wrote successful grant proposals to raise the appropriate research funds; Presented and published research findings; Mentored an undergraduate McNair Scholar; Earned an award for contributing significantly to the growth of the university through my exemplary leadership abilities and outstanding research.
EDUCATION
2011-2013
Master's Degree
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Major: Biology
Focus: Avian Behavior
Thesis: Foraging behaviors and decision-making strategies of overwintering Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) in relation to patch-site characteristics in northeastern Arkansas
2006-2011
Bachelor's Degree
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Major: Biology
Concentrations: Animal Biology, Pre-veterinary Medicine
PUBLICATIONS
Harrington, K.J., S. Pole-Evans, M. Reeves, M. Bechard, M.M. Bobowski, D. Barber, K. Rexer-Huber, N. Lecomte, and K.L. Bildstein. 2018. Seasonal micro-migration in a farm-island population of striated caracaras (Phalcoboenus australis) in the Falkland Islands. Movement Ecology, 6:4.
Reeves, M., M.M. Bobowski, M.J. Bechard, D.R. Barber, and K.L. Bildstein. 2016. Rapid anodized-aluminum band wear in Striated Caracaras on the Falkland Islands. J. of Raptor Research, 50: 223-226.
Bildstein, K.L., M. Reeves, M.M. Bobowski, and A. Autilio. 2014. Avian scavengers, but not Turkey Vultures, feeding on the carcasses of a storm-killed Turkey Vulture on the Falkland Islands. Vulture News, 67: 53-59.
Worm, A.J., M.M. Bobowski, and T.S. Risch. 2013. Perch-type Characteristics of Overwintering Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and American Kestrels (Falco sparverius). Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, 67: 159-163. Click to Download
Swift, Maris Stella, M. McCarthy, M. Bobowski. 2010. McCarthy's Orphan Disease. Grand Valley Magazine, 9: 26-27.
Swift, Maris Stella, M. McCarthy, M. Bobowski. 2010. A Vision of Hope. Seidman Business Review, 16: 16-19.
Bobowski, M.M., V. Rolland, and T.S. Risch. 2014. Abundance and distribution of overwintering Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels in an agricultural landscape in northeastern Arkansas. Journal of Raptor Research, 48: 273-279. Click to Download
SKILLS
Research Project Design - Advanced
Presenting & Public Speaking - Advanced
Grant Writing - Proficient
Environmental Science - Advanced
Microsoft Office Programs - Advanced
PC & iOS Systems - Advanced
Teaching - Advanced
Field Work - Advanced
Collaboration with Others - Advanced
R-Statistical Program - Proficient
ADOBE - Proficient
Multi-tasking & Problem Solving - Advanced
EXPERTISE
I'M A BIOLOGIST
From a young age, the biological world always fascinated and intrigued me. Instead of playing at recess, I played with plastic frog toys and with ants I found on the sidewalk. When I started college, I had my mind set on becoming a veterinarian. However, after participating in some extracurricular research projects, I discovered my passion for researching the answers to the infinite number of questions I had about the natural world. It wasn't long after that I also discovered my love for birds, particularly birds of prey. My passion for conservation and creating a more sustainable environment has also only deepened since teaching Environmental Science.
I'M AN EDUCATOR
Teaching future generations is something I take great pride in. My primary goals when teaching are for my students to think critically, and to walk away from a classroom with not only the understanding, but also the confidence to share the knowledge they have gained with others. As our environmental health continues to decline, I believe it is my generation’s responsibility to inspire passionate scientists, as well as eco-friendly citizens. Please feel free to check out some of the reviews I have received from my students' evaluations of myself by clicking on the box below.
I'M AN ARTIST
Along with my love of Biology, I also have a love for art. Luckily, I have found ways to tie these two passions together. In 2017, I started my own business, "M2Bee | All for the Birds," selling my drawings as greeting cards. Since I am also a biologist and an educator, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to teach, so with every card I include "Fun Facts to Impress Your Friends" about the animal(s) drawn on the card. Along with cards, I also find easy ways for people to go more "green" by creating reusable straw pouches and reusable beeswax wraps. If you would like to check the things I mentioned about out, please click on the box below. If you are local, you can find my cards at Leon & Lulus in Clawson, MI.