The Mosaics Team
Sheylda Diaz-Mendez PhD, Environment for the Americas
Sheylda has an animal science certification from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez, a BS in biology from the University of Central Florida, and an environmental science MSc from Ana G. Mendez University. She obtained her PhD in environmental resource conservation and management from Ana G. Mendez University, where she has been a lecturer in the Department of Natural Science and Technology since 2006. Sheylda is currently an associate professor at the University of Puerto Rico in Utuado (Sustainable Agriculture Department) and Arecibo (Biology Department) campuses.
Shanelle Thevarajah, Environment for the Americas
Shanelle earned a B.A.S. from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, in 2019. She studied zoology and family & child studies because of her passion for scientific communication and involving communities in conservation-related decisions. In May 2021, Shanelle earned her M.S. in environmental biology from Regis University. Her research mainly focused on the social behavior of male Asian elephants at Denver Zoo, and she loved getting to learn more about such incredible animals! In addition, Shanelle has done a lot of work with freshwater fish and invertebrates. In 2021, she completed an internship at the Butterfly Pavilion, where she worked on a long-term citizen science butterfly monitoring program called the Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network.
Kiersten Jarvis, National Park Service
Kiersten is the National Park Service (NPS) program manager for Scientists in Parks and Mosaics in Science. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a master’s degree in environmental policy and a bachelor’s degree in natural resources management from Colorado State University. Over the last 8 years of her NPS career, Kiersten has worked in various parks and offices on citizen science projects and youth engagement programs. She is passionate about connecting people to the natural world and sharing how to get involved with conservation efforts in your national parks.
Chelsea Bitting, National Park Service
Chelsea earned her B.S. and M.S. in Geology at Texas Christian University. Her thesis work focused on Cambrian volcanic rocks in southern Oklahoma. After graduation, she worked at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science as a research and collections intern, managing rock, mineral, and meteorite specimens before becoming a Geoscientists-in-the-Parks intern (now known as Scientists in Parks). As a former intern for many years, Chelsea loves supporting current SIPs in gaining valuable field and professional experience for their future science careers.