Curriculum Vitae
Education
2021- Ph.D. Marine Biology & Ecology. University of Miami, Miami, FL.
Advisor: Paul C. Sikkel
2020 M.Sc. Biology. Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR.
Advisor: Paul C. Sikkel
2016 B.Sc. Zoology. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
Professional Appointments
2024- Instructor of Biology, University of the Virgin Islands
2021-2025 Graduate Research Assistant, University of Miami
2021-2022 Part-Time Instructor, University of the Virgin Islands
2017-2021 Graduate Research Assistant, Arkansas State University
2016 Research Science Staff, Operation Wallacea, Tela & Utila, Honduras
2014-2016 Undergraduate Research Assistant, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Publications
(10) Vondriska, C, Sikkel, PC (2025) Chemosensory behaviour of free-living stages of aquatic parasites. In: Smit, NJ, Sures, B (eds.) Aquatic Parasitology: Ecological and Environmental Concepts and Implications of Marine and Freshwater Parasites. Springer Nature, Berlin, DEU. pp. 255-275.
(9) Titus, MB, Froehlich, CYM, Vondriska, C, Baker, R, Caves, EM (2025) Stable isotopes disentangle niche partintioning and co-occurrence in a multi-species marine mutualism. Oikos. e10553.
(8) Vondriska, C, Sikkel, PC (2023) Assessment of a new olfactometer for study of sensory ecology in small aquatic organisms. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods. 21(2):98-105.
(7) Stroud, HB, Vondriska, C (2022) Correcting mistakes of the past: A western Everglades example. Pennsylvania Geographer. 59(2):1-18.
(6) Rose, A, Titus, BM, Romain, J, Vondriska, C, Exton, DA (2020) Multiple cleaner species provide simultaneous services to coral reef fish clients. Biology Letters. 16(12):20200723.
(5) Romain, JJ, Exton, DA, Smith, DJ, Rose, A, Vondriska, C, Titus, BM (2020) Comparative cleaning behaviour of Pederson's cleaner shrimp (Ancylomenes pedersoni) between geographically close yet ecologically dissimilar coral reef habitats. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 100:1093-1106.
(4) Nicholson, MD, Hendrick, GC, Packard, AJ, Strobel, DL, Vondriska, C, Sikkel, PC (2020) Vertical limits of host infestation by gnathiid isopods (Isopoda: Gnathiidae) parasitic on Caribbean coral reef fishes. Journal of Crustacean Biology. ruaa067.
(3) Vondriska, C, Dixson, DL, Packard, AJ, Sikkel, PC (2020) Differentially susceptible host fishes exhibit similar chemo-attractiveness to a common reef ectoparasite. Symbiosis. 81(3):247-253.
(2) Titus, BM, Daly, M, Vondriska, C, Hamilton, I, Exton, DA (2019) Lack of strategic service provisioning by Pederson's cleaner shrimp (Ancylomenes pedersoni) highlights independent evolution of cleaning behaviors between Caribbean and Indo-Pacific reef systems. Scientific Reports. 9(1):629.
(1) Titus, BM, Vondriska, C, Daly, M (2017) Comparative cleaning observations demonstrate the 'cleaner' shrimp Periclimenes yucatanicus engages in true symbiotic cleaning interactions. Royal Society Open Science. 4(4):170078.
Funding
2023 The Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean, AMLC Travel Grant, $500
2023 Co-authored proposal for National Science Foundation EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (PI: Paul
Sikkel), $300,000
2022 Lerner-Gray Fund for Marine Research, American Museum of Natural History, $1,400
2021 Graduate Fellowship, International Coral Reef Society, $2,500
2021 A-State Research & Creativity Grant, Arkansas State University, $500.
2019 A-State Research & Creativity Grant, Arkansas State University, $500.
2015 Summer Research Fellowship, The Ohio State University, $3,500.
2015 Youth Activity Fund Grant, The Explorer's Club, $1,000.
2015 ASC International Research Grant, The Ohio State University, $500.
2014 Second-year Transformational Experience Program, The Ohio State University, $2,000.
Presentations
Conference Presentations
Vondriska, C, Sikkel, PC (2023) A Newly Adapted Olfactometer for Study of Sensory Ecology in Small Marine Organisms. 40th AMLC Scientific Meeting. St. Kitts & Nevis. Poster presentation.
Vondriska, C, Dixson, DL, Packard, AJ, Sikkel, PC (2020) The Role of Infochemicals in Host-Attraction in Parasitic
Gnathiid Isopods. 4th International Congress on Parasites of Wildlife. Kruger National Park, South Africa. Poster
presentation. (Conference cancelled).
Vondriska, C, Dixson, DL, Sikkel, PC (2020) The Role of Infochemicals in Host-Attraction in Parasitic Gnathiid
Isopods. 2020 Benthic Ecology Meeting. Wilmington, NC, United States. Poster presentation. (Conference cancelled).
Vondriska, C, Titus, BM, Exton, DA, Hamilton, I, Daly, M (2016) Game Theory and the Stability of Cleaning
Mutualisms on Caribbean Coral Reefs. Richard J. & Martha D. Denman Undergraduate Research Forum. The Ohio
State University, Columbus, OH, United States. Poster presentation.
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Invited Seminars
Vondriska, C (2023) Implementaion of a newly adapted olfactometer for study of aquatic sensory ecology. University of Miami, Miami, FL.
Vondriska, C (2022) Parasitic Isopods. University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, VI.
Vondriska, C (2020) Role of Chemical Cues in the Host-Finding Behavior of Fish-Parasitic Gnathiid Isopods. Arkansas
State University, Jonesboro, AR.
Vondriska, C (2016) Strategic Cheating in Caribbean Cleaning Mutualisms. Operation Wallacea, Tela, Honduras.
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Teaching Experience
Instructor of Record
BIO 142: Introduction to Biology II (Lab), University of the Virgin Islands
BIO 1510: Introduction to Life Science (Lecture & Lab), University of the Virgin Islands (UVI Online)
Teaching Assistant
BIO 1001: Parasitology (Lab), Arkansas State University
BIO 3332: Invertebrate Zoology (Lab), Arkansas State University
BIO 4104/5104: Microbiology (Lab), Arkansas State University
BIO 4392: Parasitology (Lecture & Lab), Arkansas State University
BIO 6301: Aquatic Biology (Lab), Arkansas State University
BIO 6332: Comparative Ethology (Lab), Arkansas State University
Volunteer Positions
2024- Cistern Water Quality Monitoring Volunteer, University of the Virgin Islands
2020- Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Volunteer, University of the Virgin Islands
2021 Research Volunteer - Sea Lion Hearing Thresholds, Coral World Ocean Park
2014 Volunteer Researcher, Amigos de las Tortugas Marinas
Field Experience
PADI Divemaster (Over 200 logged and 150 research dives)
PADI Rescue Diver
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Field Research Locations
Barbados (2015), Curaçao (2015), Honduras (2016), Puerto Rico (2014, 2018), United States (Port Aransas, TX: 2023), United States Virgin Islands (2018-2024)
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Service
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Departmental Service
2023 CSM Programs and Curriculum Strategic Planning Committee, University of the Virgin Islands
2022-2023 Learning Management Systems Exploration Committee, University of the Virgin Islands
2017-2018 Department of Biological Sciences Graduate Student Representative, College of Sciences & Mathematics
Curriculum Committee, Arkansas State University
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Organizational Service
2023- Steering Committee Member, OA Caribbean Hub, Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON)
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Journal Reviewer
Symbiosis
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Grant Reviewer
2022-2024 Animal Behavior Society Student Research Grant
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Professional Membership
Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO)
Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean (AMLC)
International Coral Reef Society (ICRS)
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