CV/Resume
Experience
2024, November
GUEST LECTURER
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Menomonie, WI
Graduate guest lecturer for Wisconsin Wildlife (BIO 253)
Topics included bioacoustic basics, deployment strategies, and analysis methods. Special focus on practical applications, ideal use scenarios, and contextualizing results in the framework of conservation.
August 2024
PRESENTER
Presenter at the 2024 Midwest Beaver Summit
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Session 3: "Beaver Dam Impacts to Water Quality, Biodiversity, and Trout Populations in Wisconsin Streams"
2023 - Present
GRADUATE ASSISTANT
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Menomonie, WI
Primary duties are grading and course assistance for two undergraduate level courses.
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Secondary duties include herbarium specimen preparation, specimen identification, and database entry. Work is currently focused on teaching collections, but will move to the University's archival collection
Dec-May 2024
CAPSTONE ADVISOR
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Menomonie, WI
Graduate mentor for Undergraduate Capstone Course (BIO451- Beaver Activity in Western Wisconsin Watersheds) for two students at UW-Stout.
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This research project will use a combination of field data collection and internet research to investigate beaver activity on streams in western Wisconsin. This capstone project will contribute to and extend my thesis research by characterizing the current beaver impoundments and historical beaver-created wetlands at these sites.
September 2023-September 2024
GRADUATE INTERN
Wisconsin Wetlands Association
Remote
Primary duties include literature, permit, and policy reviews relating to floodplain restoration, identifying gaps in knowledge, practices, data, and/or research, and reviewing FEMA and National Flood Insurance Program regulations as they apply to floodplains, wetlands, and riparian systems.
2023, November
GUEST LECTURER
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Menomonie, WI
Graduate guest lecturer for Wetland Ecology and Delineation course (BIO452).
Topics included beaver wetlands, beaver management policies in Wisconsin, beaver-trout conflict and research, beaver ecosystem services, values conflict in conservation and restoration practices, single-species conservation, and highlights of my research.
2004-2019
CYTOTECHNOLOGIST
Mayo Clinic, HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital, Clinical Laboratory of the Black Hills, Mayo Clinic Health System- Eau Claire
Various
15 years of experience in clinical pathology, with a specific focus on cytology.
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Primary duties focused on microscopic diagnosis and interpretation of cytologic cases for cancer and infectious processes.
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Additional duties included supervisory roles, quality control and quality assurance, data analysis, staff training, student and staff education, and participation in research projects.
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Advanced skills include digital pathology, florescence in situ hybridization, rapid on-site evaluations, and regulatory compliance.
February 2024
WISCONSIN WETLAND SCIENCE CONFERENCE
Outstanding Student Presentation
Awarded by Wisconsin Wetlands Association for an oral presentation given at the 2025 annual conference.
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April 2024
COMMUNITY SHARES OF WISCONSIN
Backyard Hero
Nominated by Wisconsin Wetlands Association staff:
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"Cortney Dean is a volunteer for Wisconsin Wetlands Association, where she completed an analysis of floodplain restoration policies from other states to help inform Wisconsin Wetlands Association’s own floodplain restoration policy. Cortney’s skills, motivation, and expertise have helped Wisconsin Wetlands Association advance floodplain restoration in our state. Thank you, Cortney!Wisconsin Wetlands Association is dedicated to the protection, restoration, and enjoyment of wetlands and associated ecosystems through science-based programs, education, and advocacy.The Backyard Hero Awards are sponsored by 105.5 Triple M, Isthmus, and Budget Signs."
2023
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - STOUT
Recipient of UW Stout's Research Grant
Recipient of competitive university-wide grant funding for the calendar year of 2023.
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Funds were utilized to complete water quality testing as a part of our preliminary research.
Education
2021 - Present
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - STOUT
Master's Degree
Menomonie, WI
Thesis-track graduate program in Conservation Biology.
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Current research: Beaver dam impacts to water quality, biodiversity, and trout populations (for more information see Projects page)
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4.0 GPA
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Stout Research Grant Recipient (2023)
Graduate Assistantship (2023-2025)
2003-2004
MAYO COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Certificate
Professional Certificate program in Cytology
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3.8 GPA
CyTech Student Award 2004
Rochester, MN
1997-2001
BELOIT COLLEGE
Bachelor of Science
Beloit, WI
Ecology, Evolution and Behavioral Biology
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3.2 GPA
Departmental Honors
Dean's List
Academic All-Conference
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Sanger Research Fellow at Medical College of Wisconsin (2000)
Professional Skills
Statistics, R Studio, Excel, Infographics, Canva
Research, Data Analysis, Technical and Scientific Writing
Bioacoustic monitoring and analysis
GPS Data Collection and GIS Map Creation
Water Quality Sampling and Testing
Beaver Biology and Behavior
Policy and Procedure Writing
Wetland and Floodplain Restoration and Policy Analysis
Wetland and Riparian Ecosystems
Formal and Informal Educational Presentations
Electrofishing and Aquatic Data Collection
Educational and training program development
Study Design, Field Work Logistics, Data Collection
Landowner relations