Ashley R Booth
PhD Candidate
227 Renewable Natural Resources Building
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
aboot19 at lsu.edu
Education:
Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA May 2023 (expected)
PhD Candidate, School of Renewable Natural Resources
Concentration in Wildife; Minor in Mass Communication
Dissertation Title: Understanding mechanisms for coastal marsh sustainability in the face of sea level rise
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Nicholls State University Thibodaux, LA May 2016
MS Marine and Environmental Biology
Thesis Title: Impact of molt-disrupting PBDEs on epidermal ecdysteroid signaling in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, in vitro: an initial mechanistic look into disruption of crustacean molting
Clemson University Clemson, SC May 2011
BS Animal and Veterinary Science
Tri-County Technical College Pendleton, SC May 2008
AS Health Sciences, Major in Veterinary Technology
Current Positions:
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John A Knauss Marine Policy Fellow February 2023 - January 2024
Nicholls State University MMEB Grad Student Alumni Association Founder August 2019 - Present
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Peer-Reviewed Publications:
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Cadigan, JA, JH Bekkaye, NH Jafari, L Zhu, AR Booth, Q Chen, B Raubenheimer, BD Harris, C O’Conner, R Lane, GP Kemp, J Day, JW Day, and HO Ulloa. 2022. Impacts of coastal infrastructure on shoreline resilience to major hurricanes in southwest Louisiana. Frontiers in Built Environment.
Ringelman, KM, ES Bonczek, JR Marty, AR Booth, and AL Dopkin. 2021. Survival of western Gulf Coast Mottled Ducks (Anas fulvigula) in the path of a category 4 hurricane. Ecology and Evolution.
Booth, A and E Zou. 2016. Impact of molt-disrupting BDE-47 on epidermal ecdysteroid signalling in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, in vitro. Aquatic Toxicology. 177:373-379.
Booth, A. 2016. Impact of molt-inhibiting PBDEs on epidermal ecdysteroid signaling in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus: an initial mechanistic look into disruption of crustacean molting. MS thesis. Nicholls State University. Print.
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Popular Science Publications:
Booth, AR. 2022. Gulf of Mexico Sea Level Rise Workshop at the Gulf of Mexico Conference. CERF’s Up! Newsletter: Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation. 48:13.
Booth, A. 2020. Exploring the effects of wetland management on marsh accretion. Research Matters: School of Renewable Natural Resources, Spring 2020:8.
Booth, A. 2020. Students breathe new life into Society of Wetland Scientists. Research Matters: School of Renewable Natural Resources, Spring 2020:11.
Booth, A. 2020. Researchers work to improve waterfowl habitat management in Gulf Coast Chenier Plain. Louisiana Agriculture Magazine, 63(1):18-19.
Booth, A. 2020. Exploring the effects of wetland management on marsh accretion. Research Matters: School of Renewable Natural Resources, Spring 2020:8.
Booth, A. 2020. Students breathe new life into Society of Wetland Scientists. Research Matters: School of Renewable Natural Resources, Spring 2020:11.
Booth, A. 2020. There are more tigers in the USA than in the wild. Should we really be the tiger king of the world? Envirobites.
Booth, A. 2020. Effective environmental policy requires inclusion. Envirobites.
Booth, A. 2019. What is scarier than zombies, ghosts, and witches? A modern mass extinction. Envirobites.
Booth, A. 2019. Native milkweed supports healthy monarch communities. Envirobites.
Booth, A. 2019. Trees, tempests, and time: what trees can tell us about weather in the past. Envirobites.
Booth, A. 2019. Preserving culturally-important Xochimilco wetlands requires policy and personal change. Envirobites.
Booth, A. 2018. Sea level rise and coastal wetlands: predicting the future. Envirobites.
Booth, A. 2018. For the Jurassic world, pollen shows what plants grew when dinosaurs roamed. Envirobites.
Booth, A. 2018. Not all wetlands are created equal. Envirobites.
Booth, A. 2018. When a bad thing becomes good: Was inflammation modified to become implantation in placental mammals? Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology.
Booth, A. 2017. Neonicotinoid pesticide affect foraging and social interaction in bumblebees. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology.
Booth A. 2016. Predicting elk migrations to lessen the spread of Brucellosis. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology.
Professional Experience:
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River Oaks Wetland Services Baton Rouge, LA
Wetland Ecologist December 2018 - July 2020
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SynTerra Corporation Greenville, SC
Environmental Scientist January – August 2017
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Health Security Solutions Central, SC
Marketing Manager and Content Developer March 2013 – February 2016
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Hendricks Veterinary Hospital & Anderson Boarding & Grooming Anderson, SC
Licensed Veterinary Technician October 2007 – December 2012
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Research Experience:
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Louisiana State University, Graduate Research Assistant August 2017 – December 2022
Develop and conduct in situ and greenhouse research projects related to surface elevation change, belowground productivity, carbon flux, and decomposition in Chenier Plain coastal marshes. Perform data analysis and communicate research findings through manuscript publications and popular science avenues such as blog posts and podcasts. Attend regional and international conferences to present dissertation research. Manage undergraduate students and transient workers. Maintain laboratory equipment, vehicles, and boats.
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Hispanic Access Foundation, US Fish and Wildlife Service Directorate Fellow May - August 2022
Served as a Directorate Fellow at Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge in Middle River, Minnesota addressing impacts of sedimentation and historic management on cattail invasion and elevation change in wetland impoundments. Created and managed a cohesive 30-year record of impoundment management practices. Collected bathymetry data for 7,000 acres of wetland impoundments and evaluated management, bathymetry, and hydrology data using R, ArcGIS, and Google Earth. Presented findings to regional and local managers to inform adaptive management practices.
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Nicholls State University, Research Associate and Crew Leader March 2016 – August 2016 Participated in the EPA’s 2016 National Wetland Condition Assessment program by surveying wetlands throughout the state of Louisiana. Wetland assessment involved characterization and sampling of soils, vegetation, hydrology, and estimations of anthropogenic influence. Supervised undergraduate and graduate student workers, cleaned and maintained equipment, handled and trailered boats, ensured accurate record keeping, and packaged and shipped samples for processing.
Nicholls State University, Graduate Research Assistant May 2015 – August 2015
Monitored breeding and nesting populations of Royal Terns, Sandwich Terns, Gull Bill Terns, and Black Skimmers on the Isles Dernieres Barrier Island Refuge, LA. Banded and collected blood samples from adult birds within nesting colonies. Assisted with set-up and maintenance of video-monitoring systems around colonies and attachment of GPS devices to selected Royal Terns.
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Nicholls State University, MS Student August 2014 - May 2016
Developed and carried out an experiment designed to elucidate the effects of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) on molting in blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). Obtained a partial cDNA sequence of the molting enzyme N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase. Developed the epidermis-with-exoskeleton (EWE) tissue culture method for manipulating enzyme expression in live crustacean tissues. Used real-time PCR (qPCR) to evaluate relative levels of gene expression. Additional duties included collection of multiple crustacean species, PIT tagging bowfin (Amia calva) largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus), electrofishing, radio telemetry tracking of tagged fish, and operation of small boats.
Teaching Experience:
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Louisiana State University, Graduate Teaching Assistant Fall 2019
RNR 4015, Conservation Biology – Recitation Instructor
Nicholls State University, Graduate Teaching Assistant Fall 2014 – Spring 2016
BIOL 155, General Biology 1 – Laboratory Instructor
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Greenville Technical College, Adjunct Instructor Fall 2011 – Spring 2012
VET 117, Small Animal Nutrition - Instructor
VET 107, Small Animal Breeds and Care - Instructor
VET 116, Radiology and Parasitology – Laboratory Instructor
VET 152, Clinical Pathology – Laboratory Instructor
VET 151, Veterinary Assisting 1 - Instructor
VET 111, Veterinary Medical Terminology - Instructor
