Marine Biologist · Wildlife Rehabilitator

Katelynn
Tucker

Wildlife Rehabilitation · Marine Biology · Conservation Education

Auburn-trained marine biologist with hands-on experience in raptor husbandry, native wildlife rehabilitation, and marine field research. Most interested in education, rehabilitation, ecology, and conservation of wildlife, with a particular love for coastal and raptor work.

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01 About

About Katelynn.

Auburn University · Class of 2025

My name is Katelynn Tucker. I graduated from Auburn University in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, and over my time on campus my love of wildlife, both terrestrial and marine, only grew stronger.

During college I tried to be involved everywhere I could. I joined the swimming club my freshman year and continued to compete throughout my time at Auburn. I took a sequence of scuba courses, joined Dr. Katherine Buckley's invertebrate biology lab, volunteered for nearly three years with the Auburn Raptor Center, and worked as an Orientation Leader and Peer Advisor with Student Services in the College of Sciences and Mathematics.

After graduation, I moved into a six-month internship at the Orange Beach Wildlife Center, where I rehabilitated native Alabama mammals, reptiles, and birds. I responded to rescue calls, triaging incoming patients, calculating dosages, administering medications, and completing externships at a local zoo and a state park. From there I traveled to South Carolina as the sole spring intern at the Center for Birds of Prey in Awendaw, helping care for nearly fifty raptor species and conducting an independent research project on resident clutch histories, including Harris's Hawks and Asian Brown Wood Owls.

As I move into my career, I'm focused on roles where I can continue developing as a wildlife professional, contribute to meaningful conservation work, and help bridge the gap between the public and the species that need their support.

Education
B.S. Marine Biology
Auburn · 2025
Focus
Rehabilitation,
Education & Coastal
GPA
3.43
02 Experience

Professional Experience.

Five positions across rehabilitation, raptor husbandry, education, and student leadership. Each one shaped how I approach animal care and conservation today.

March – June 2026
Center for Birds of Prey · Awendaw, SC

Education Intern

Selected as the sole spring intern at the Center for Birds of Prey, a working collection of nearly fifty native and exotic raptor species. Responsible for daily husbandry, care, and education programming, while also leading an independent research project documenting clutch histories for resident birds, including Harris's Hawks and Asian Brown Wood Owls.

  • Daily feeding, medication administration, enclosure cleaning, and condition checks
  • Assisted with raptor training, demonstrations, and public education programs
  • Educated visitors on raptor natural history, conservation, and rehabilitation efforts
  • Conducted independent intern research project on clutch histories of resident raptors
Harris's Hawks Asian Brown Wood Owls ~50 Raptor Species
July 2025 – January 2026
Orange Beach Wildlife Center · Orange Beach, AL

Wildlife Center Intern

Six-month internship in rehabilitation and husbandry of native Alabama wildlife: mammals, birds, and reptiles. Responded to rescue calls in the field, triaged incoming patients, calculated and administered medications, and worked with the center's resident education animals. The program also included structured externship experiences at a local zoo and a state park.

  • Rehabilitation and husbandry of native Alabama mammals, birds, and reptiles
  • Responded to rescue calls; assessed and triaged new patients on intake
  • Calculated dosages and administered medications and other treatments
  • Worked with resident educational animals and joined off-site outreach programs
  • Completed externships at a local zoo and a state park
Native Mammals Reptiles Birds
October 2022 – May 2025
Auburn Raptor Center · Auburn, AL

Education Volunteer

A nearly three-year commitment to one of the Southeast's premier raptor education and rehabilitation facilities. Provided daily care across a range of raptor species and progressed into the role of primary caregiver for select ambassador birds, including a Lanner Falcon and a Harris Hawk. Participated in educational presentations, private facility tours, and Auburn's storied Eagle Flight tradition.

  • Daily husbandry: feeding, mews cleaning, training, and condition checks
  • Primary caregiver to ambassador birds: a Lanner Falcon and a Harris Hawk
  • Participated in educational presentations and private facility tours
  • Supported Auburn's Eagle Flight tradition at home football games
  • Educated visitors on raptor natural history and conservation efforts
Lanner Falcon Harris Hawk Ambassador Birds
Junior & Senior Year
Dr. Buckley's Lab · Auburn University

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Two years of undergraduate research in invertebrate biology. First studying pigmented immune cells in two sea urchin species, and later investigating pigmentation and temperature relationships in upside-down jellyfish. Presented at the Auburn Undergraduate Research Symposium in both years.

  • Cultured and imaged invertebrate cell populations using microscopy
  • Performed PCR and downstream DNA techniques in jellyfish pigment work
  • Maintained organism cultures and supported lab husbandry
  • Presented original research at Auburn's Undergraduate Research Symposium
S. purpuratus L. pictus Cassiopea sp.
May 2023 – May 2025
College of Sciences & Mathematics · Auburn University

Orientation Leader & Peer Advisor

Two years on the Student Services team in COSAM, supporting incoming and current students through Camp War Eagle orientation sessions and walk-in advising. The role honed the public-speaking and mentorship skills that translate directly into education work today.

  • Welcomed incoming students and families to COSAM during Camp War Eagle
  • Supported academic advisors during student advising appointments
  • Welcomed and checked in students at the Student Services front desk
  • Helped students navigate course schedules and general university questions
03 Live Demonstration

Raptor Handling Demonstration.

A short clip of me leading a live raptor demonstration, drawing on three years at the Auburn Raptor Center and a year of professional internships in raptor husbandry and education.

Live raptor demonstration · Auburn Raptor Center

05 Education

Education & Coursework.

Auburn University
B.S. Marine Biology

A blend of core marine biology coursework, supplemental wildlife ecology classes, and three years of scuba training, chosen to build a foundation across both marine and terrestrial conservation.

Graduated
May 2025
GPA
3.43
Concentration
Marine Biology
Honors
Dean's List
Fall 2022

Marine Biology Coursework

  • Marine Conservation
  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Conservation of Marine Turtles
  • Marine Mammal Biology & Health
  • Coastal Birds of Alabama

Major Coursework

  • Developmental Genetics
  • Undergraduate Research (6 credit hours)
  • Ornithology
  • Biomedical (Mammalian) Physiology
  • Comparative Anatomy

Extracurricular Coursework

  • Scuba 1, 2, and 3
  • Wildlife Ecology, Conservation & Management
06 Research & Publications

Research & Publications.

Two co-authored research projects in Dr. Katherine Buckley's lab at Auburn: pigmentation in upside-down jellyfish, and immune cell development in sea urchin larvae. Both presented at the Auburn University Research Symposium.

Research poster: Roses are Red, Upside-Down Jellyfish are Blue — Delineating Pigmentation in Cassiopea
Research Publication · Senior Year

"Roses are Red, Upside-Down Jellyfish are Blue: Delineating Pigmentation in Cassiopea"

Tucker · Maloney · Buckley

Investigated the relationship between pigmentation and temperature in the upside-down jellyfish, Cassiopea. Built confidence in molecular methods including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and other DNA-based techniques.

Presented · Auburn University Research Symposium · March 26, 2025

PCR DNA Methods Pigment Biology Cnidaria
Research poster: Immune Cell Development Throughout the Larval Stages of Two Sea Urchins
Research Publication · Junior Year

"Immune Cell Development Continues Throughout the Larval Stage of the Purple Sea Urchin"

Tucker · Maloney · Smith · Buckley

Studied pigmented immune cells in Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (purple sea urchin) and Lytechinus pictus (painted sea urchin). Developed core microscopy skills through cell culture and imaging work.

Presented · March 26, 2024

Microscopy Cell Culture Echinoderms
Marine Mammal Health Course

Dolphin & manatee necropsy experience

July 2024

Participated in a dolphin and manatee necropsy as part of a Marine Mammal Health Course. Performed hands-on procedures involving the physiology and anatomy of both species. A rare opportunity to engage directly with the systems behind marine mammal health and pathology.

07 Field Work

Field Work at Dauphin Island.

Dauphin Island Sea Lab · Junior & Senior Summers

A working immersion in Gulf Coast marine science.

As part of my summer lab curriculum, I spent two consecutive summers at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. First, the summer after my junior year and again the summer after senior year. The experience let me take a wide range of courses and step into real coastal field work alongside practicing scientists.

  • · Photo-ID work with bottlenose dolphin populations
  • · Bird identification surveys around Dauphin Island
  • · Site visits to marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation centers
  • · Shadowed sea turtle nest surveyors during active nesting
  • · Lab support with Dr. Smee on oyster research
  • · Lab support with Dr. Wibbels on diamondback terrapin research
08 Certifications & Skills

Certifications & Field Skills.

SSI-certified diver across five specialties, earned through Auburn's Scuba program and field coursework, including hands-on marine mammal anatomy work.

Diving Certifications

  • SSI Advanced Diver SSI
  • Night Diving SSI Specialty
  • Nitrox SSI Specialty
  • Wreck Diving SSI Specialty
  • Stress & Rescue SSI Specialty

Additional Field Experience

  • Dolphin & Manatee Necropsy July 2024

Field & Husbandry Skills

Wildlife Husbandry
Injections & Tube Feeding
Public Education & Outreach
Raptor Handling & Telemetry
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Microscopy & Cell Culture
PCR & DNA Methods
Marine Field Research
09 Resume

Download Resume.

A complete record of education, professional experience, research, and certifications, in one document.

Available to download as a PDF or view directly in your browser. Updated regularly as new roles and certifications are added.

Download Resume ↓ View in Browser →
10 Contact

Get in Touch.

Currently seeking opportunities in wildlife rehabilitation, raptor husbandry, marine field research, and conservation education. I'm happy to discuss potential roles, collaboration, or to answer any questions about my background.

Email
tkatelynn1@gmail.com
Phone
(256) 679-9716
Resume
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