CURRICULUM VITAE

SKILLS

The ability to conduct scientific research in a laboratory and field setting. Advanced written and oral communication skills, demonstrated by communicating with clients, colleagues, and other professionals. Veterinary Nurse and veterinary student placement experience. Science interpretation skills reflected in my ability to convey complex ideals to an audience.

EDUCATION

December 2020

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

December 2014

Bachelor of Science in Biology (Zoology), California State Polytechnic University Pomona, Pomona, CA, USA

August 2010 – June 2011

Spanish language and literature, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

VETERINARY WORK EXPERIENCE

October 2023 - Present

Locum Veterinarian

July 2022 - Present

January 2020 - August 2023

Recent Graduate Representative, Executive Committee of the Australian Small Animal Veterinarians (ASAV), Australian Veterinary Association.

Veterinarian, RSPCA Victoria, Australia.

April 2020 - December 2020

Veterinary Nursing Assistant, Advance Vetcare, Kensington, VIC, Australia.

February 2019 - October 2020

Veterinary Nurse, Bird and Exotic Animal Clinic, Williamstown, VIC, Australia.

January 2019 - December 2019

Australian Veterinary Association Student Webinar Host.

VETERINARY WORK PLACEMENTS AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

March 2021 - Present

January 2017 - November 2020

January 2020 - November 2020

Fenruary 2020 & January 2019

January 2020

September 2017

September 2012 - June 2014

Fall 2013

Veterinary Volunteer, Pets in the Park Organisation, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Veterinary Nurse Volunteer, Pets in the Park Organisation, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Veterinary Clinical Rotations. UVet Animal Hospital, Werribee, Australia.

Veterinary Clinical Placement. Sunset Vet Animal Hospital, Bali, Indonesia.

Veterinary Clinical Placement. Illawarra Animal Hospital, NSW, Australia.

Veterinary Clinical Placement. Lake Tyres, Victoria, Australia.

Foal Watch Volunteer, Kellogg Arabian Horse Center, Pomona CA, USA.

Veterinary Job Shadow, Coast to Coast Cardiology Veterinary Service, Los Angeles CA.

RESEARCH

Duke University Intern, Research Experience for Undergraduates.
June 2014–August 2014, Organization for Tropical Studies, La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica.

Social Organization in Day and Night Roosts of the Proboscis Bat (Rhynchonycteris naso).
Individual signatures of the echolocation calls of the Proboscis Bat (Rhynchonycteris naso).
Using playback experiments to investigate the social significance of echolocation-like calls in the Proboscis Bat (Rhynchonycteris naso).

Undergraduate Researcher, Ronald E. McNair Scholar, A.K. Lappin Laboratory.
Intraspecific geographic variation of body size dimorphism in the Northern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea). December 2012 - February 2015. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, USA.

PUBLICATIONS

Coaching Cards for New Dog & Cat Owners, Smith Street Books | Publication date April 2023

Coaching Cards for New Cat Parents includes 50 illustrated cards that cover the topics a new cat owner will need to know, including picking the best cat for your lifestyle, selecting the right food, dealing with issues like furniture scratching, and knowing when to visit a vet.
Coaching Cards for New Dog Parents includes 50 illustrated cards that cover the topics a new dog owner will need to know, including picking the best dog for your lifestyle, selecting the right food, dealing with issues like separation anxiety, and knowing when to take your dog to the vet.
Distribution in the US & Canada by Rizzoli New York, in Australia by Simon & Schuster, and in the UK by Abrams and Chronicle.

Gunther L, Lopez M, Kornschild M, Reid K, Nagy M, and Mayer F. From Research To Female Defence: The Impact of Roosting Ecology On A Bat's Mating Strategy. Royal Society Open Science 3.11 (2016): 160503.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS AND POSTERS

Marlena Lopez, Peter Muckton, Heath Stewart. Economic Forum. Veterinary Business Group Summit, Australian Veterinary Association, October 2020.

Lopez M, Nagy M. Social Organization in Day and Night Roosts of the Proboscis Bat (Rhynchonycteris naso).

Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference, Washington D.C., USA (February 2015).
Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research, California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA (November 2014).
Southwest Organismal Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA (September 2014).
La Selva Biological Station Summer Research Symposium, Costa Rica (August 2014).

Lopez M, Marino T, Lappin AK. Intraspecific geographic variation of body size dimorphism in the Northern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea).

Ronald E. McNair 22nd Annual National Research Symposium, University of California Berkeley, CA, USA (June 2014).
Cal Poly Pomona Ronald E. McNair Research Symposium, CA, USA (June 2014).
Cal Poly Pomona Student Research Conference, CA, USA (March 2014).

Marino T, Lopez M, Lappin AK. A comparative analysis of sexual dimorphism in California Alligator Lizards (Elgaria): lineage and population level divergence in form and function. Cal Poly Pomona College of Science Student Research Poster Presentations, CA, USA (June 2014).

WORK EXPERIENCE

Learning Assistant and Tutor, March-June 2014. Biology Learning Center, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, USA.

Science Interpreter and Exotic Animal Tour Guide, January- March 2014. Biotrek, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, USA.

Sales Associate, American Eagle Outfitters, San Francisco, USA, Sep 2008-June 2010. Implemented training for new employees and acted as lead associate on duty.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Laboratory Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Vertebrate Zoology (ZOO 238), Winter 2013. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, USA.

Learning Assistant and Tutor, March-June 2014. Biology Learning Center, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, USA.

LEADERSHIP

Student Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (SVECCS) First & Second Year Student Representative. The University of Melbourne, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. March 2015 – December 2015.

Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program President. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA. August 2013-August 2014.

Student Interest Council Representative. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA. August 2013-August 2014.

Cancer Awareness Fundraising Chair. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA. September 2012-June 2013.

Pre-Veterinary Club Vice President. San Francisco State University, CA. September 2009-August 2010.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Best New Talent 2021-22, Dogie Award, in recognition and celebration of a contribution to building RSPCA Victoria’s profile in media and communication.

RSPCA SAVE Award Nomination for exceptional work at RSPCA Victoria, January 2022.

Veterinary Business Thought Leader of the Year 2020, Veterinary Business Group, Australian Veterinary Association

Australian Small Animal Veterinary (ASAV) Association Student Scholarship 2020

Australian Small Animal Veterinary (ASAV) Association Student Scholarship 2018

Guild Insurance Veterinary Student Ambassador

Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program

Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)

Ernest Prete Jr. Environmental Science Student Research Fellowship

Kellogg Undergraduate Scholars Program (KUSP)

Beta Beta Beta Biological Sciences Honor Society

California State University, Pomona President’s Scholarship

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS

The Brachycephalic Dog: Management of the Airway 2024

CPR: Basic Life Support by RECOVER Initiative (22/8/23)

Fear Free Veterinary Professional Certification (6/7/20)

CPR: Advanced Life Support by RECOVER Initiative (24/6/20)

Animal Behaviour and Welfare by The University of Edinburgh on Coursera (4/7/2019)

Mental Health First First Aid Certificate (17/04/18)

Large Animal Handling, GoTafe Certificate (10/07/2015)

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Training

Certified in Animal Biosafety (21/6/2013)
Certified in When Working with Non-traditional Species (21/6/2013)

ACUC/EH&S Animal Safety and Training

Risk Assessment Screening (21/6/2013)

MEMBERSHIPS

Australian Veterinary Association

Australian Small Animal Veterinary (ASAV) Association

Veterinary Business Group (VBG)

INTERESTS

Baking

Salsa Dancing

Pet owner education through social media (@veterinary_adventures)