Curriculum Vitae
I am a combination of ecologist, GIS nerd, and design geek who believes we can make science more effective by considering the user experience of scientific tools, websites, and technical communication. You can download a PDF, Word, or text version of my CV if you want to get fancy.
Education
MS, Ecology & Evolution
May 2005
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Thesis: GIS-based modeling of avian distributions in a montane tropical forest
BS, Natural Resources & Environmental Science
Dec 2002
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Specializations: GIS & Water Resources; Minor: English
ESRI Virtual Campus
- Linear referencing with ArcGIS Desktop, May 2008
- Creating and editing geodatabase topology, May 2008
- Creating, editing, and managing geodatabases, April 2006
- Geoprocessing with ArcGIS Desktop, June 2005
Ecological Skills
I excel at analyzing ecological problems with technical methods. I am proficient with modeling techniques, including habitat & corridor modeling, urban growth modeling, and statistical analysis, and feel equally comfortable compiling data & conducting literature reviews.
Communication Skills
Skilled at communicating complex ideas with technical and non-technical audiences via reports, maps, presentations, and personal communication; adept at hand-coding web pages using web standards techniques; good eye for graphic design & cartography.
Computer Skills
Experienced in management of data-intensive projects and application of scripting techniques to optimize efficiency of large-scale analyses. I learn new software and technology quickly, and feel comfortable with the following:
- Web & Design: XHTML, CSS, ExpressionEngine CMS, CodeIgniter (PHP), Photoshop, InDesign
- GIS: ArcGIS, Python, ArcSDE, AML, Map Algebra
Jun 2007 - Present
GIS Analyst
The Nature Conservancy Tucson, AZ- Perform spatial analysis, create maps & graphics, manage ArcSDE GIS database, mentor and train staff
- Designed and manage all aspects of TNC Arizona science website using XHTML, CSS, and ExpressionEngine CMS
- Designed and manage hydrological database web application using XHTML, CSS, and CodeIgniter PHP framework
Aug 2006 - Dec 2007
GIS Programmer & Web Designer
Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ- Created suite of ArcGIS tools—CorridorDesigner—in Python for conducting GIS-based wildlife corridor and habitat analyses.
- Designed 30-page website using XHTML and CSS to distribute CorridorDesigner and provide educational materials related to designing corridors
- Created webpage content, software tutorials, and workshop materials.
- Conducted 5 full-day workshops in Boulder, San Diego, Tucson, Phoenix, and Monterrey
Jun 2005 - Jul 2006
GIS Progammer/Analyst
Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ- Lead GIS Analyst on statewide wildlife corridor planning project.
- Performed all GIS modeling, cartography, and data management.
- Created MS Access database/ESRI geodatabase system for storing field data, GIS layers, and site photos.
- Wrote eight 70-150 page reports detailing wildlife corridor conservation plans.
- Co-wrote two grant proposals with PI to secure $145,000 in funding.
Jul 2003 - May 2005
MS Graduate Student & Teaching Assistant
Purdue University Biology Dept. West Lafayette, IN- Created GIS-based distribution models for 41 bird species in Tilaran Mtns, Costa Rica, using 5 statistical classification techniques.
- Obtained and preprocessed SRTM elevation models (DEM) and LANDSAT imagery; created topographic indices using DEM.
- Used Avenue, AML, and R scripts to automate tasks.
- Teaching Assistant for four courses; introduced Field Ecology and Conservation Biology students to GIS principles using labs and presentations.
Jan 2002 - Jul 2003
GIS Technician
Purdue University Agricultural & B West Lafayette, IN- Created, edited, maintained map layers; created maps.
- Created 92 volume GIS Atlas with 45 GIS layers.
- Created customized ArcView extension for Office of Indiana State Chemist.
- Performed complex analysis for DOT to determine road-sensitive water bodies.
- Assisted students in term projects for graduate-level GIS course.
- Instructed 55 students in 3 lab sections of field surveying course.
Publications
- R.M Marshall, M.D. Robles, D.R. Majka, and J.A. Haney. 2010. Sustainable water management in the Southwestern United States: reality or rhetoric? PLoS One 5(7): e11687. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0011687.
- Beier, P., D.R. Majka, and S.L. Newell. 2009. Uncertainty analysis of least-cost modeling for designing wildlife linkages. Ecological Applications 19: 2067-2077.
- Beier, P., D.R. Majka, and W.D. Spencer. 2008. Forks in the road: choices in procedures for designing wildland linkages. Conservation Biology 22: 836-851.
- Majka, D.R. 2007. GIS for designing corridors. Remotely Wild: Newsletter of the GIS, Remote Sensing, and Telemetry Working Group of the Wildlife Society 23: Winter 2007.
- Beier, P., and D.R. Majka. 2006. Eight linkage design reports, submitted to Arizona Game & Fish Department, Phoenix, AZ.
- Majka, D.R., 2005. GIS-based modeling of avian distributions in a montane tropical forest. M.S. Thesis, Purdue University.
Presentations
- Majka, D.R., and T. Schnaible. 2011. Conservation by DESIGN: Using the power of design to improve science communication. The Nature Conservancy’s Conservation Science for People and Nature Conference. Oct 20, 2011.
- Majka, D.R. 2011. iPads, doors, and PeopleSoft: What the design of everyday things can teach us about science communication. Brown bag presentation given AZ TNC staff. Tucson, AZ. May 17, 2011.
- Majka, D.R., M. Robles, J. Haney, and R. Marshall. 2010. Sustaining river flows in the face of growing municipal water demands. Joint Annual Meeting of the Arizona and New Mexico Chapters of the Wildlife Society. Flagstaff, AZ. Feb 6, 2010.
- Majka, D.R. 2009. CorridorDesigner: ArcGIS tools for designing wildlife corridors. Society for Conservation Biology-USGS Colorado Plateau joint meeting. Flagstaff, AZ. Oct 6, 2009.
- Robles, M.D., J. Haney, D.R. Majka, and R. Marshall. 2009. Sustaining river flows for biodiversity in the arid southwestern U.S:Effects of current and future municipal water use. 94th Annual Ecological Society of America Meeting. Albuquerque, NM. Aug 4, 2009.
- Majka, D.R., M. Robles, and R. Marshall. 2008. Arizona's Natural Infrastructure (poster). ESRI User Conference, San Diego, CA.
- Majka, D.R., P. Beier, and J. Jenness. 2007. Designing wildlife corridors with GIS. Full-day workshops presented in Phoenix, Tucson, Boulder, San Diego, and Monterrey, Fall 2007.
- Beier, P., D.R. Majka, and W. Spencer. 2007. Eight reasons not to use GIS analysis for corridor design. International Conference on Ecology & Transportation. Little Rock, AR. May 24, 2007.
- Majka, D.R. 2007. A multi-species approach to designing corridors. Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2007 Conference on Open Space. Tempe, AZ, May 9, 2007.
- Beier, P., D.R. Majka, K. Penrod, C. Luke, W. Spencer, S. Newell, and C. Cabanero. 2006. How to design a wildlife corridor. Society for Conservation Biology 20th Annual Meeting. San Jose, CA, June 25, 2006.
- Majka, D.R. 2005. Modeling the distribution of Neotropical birds using statistical classification techniques and GIS. Purdue Biology Graduate Student Retreat, West Lafayette, IN., March 2005.