Dr. Jackie T. Hrabok-Leppäjärvi  C.V.

---------This site is under construction-------
22.2.2010 updated

EDUCATION

Ph.D.          

Doctor of Philosophy in Parasitology (Biology), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala and RKTL Reindeer Research Station Kaamanen, Finland. October 2006.

Thesis:  Macroparasites of Reindeer in Fennoscandia: Population Dynamics, Control Options and Environmental Implications.

Internship

Arctic Biology post-graduate student internship, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology, Large Animal Research Station, Reindeer Research Program, U.S.A. June 1999 to January 2002.

M.Sc.

Master’s of Science in Biology, Lakehead University, Ontario, Canada. November 1999.

Thesis:  Density, Depth Distribution and Richness of Adult Chironomids (Diptera: Chironomidae) Before and After Experimental Upland and Riparian Deforestation.

H.B.Sc.

Honour’s Bachelor of Science in Biology, minor in Chemistry, Lakehead University, Ontario, Canada. May 1996.

Thesis:  The Possible Importance of Wintering Yards in the Transmission of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis to White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Moose (Alces alces).

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Saamelaisalueen Koulutuskeskus, Inari/Toivoniemi, Finland.

Boss: Liisa Holmberg
Position: Part-time Lecturer
Term: September 2004 - continuous

Boss: Tarmo Jomppanen
Position: Tour Guide/Special lecturer
Term:  October 2007 - continuous

Responsibilities: Design and implement an educational program at the museum to international visitors. I deliver a series of short lectures revolving around Sami culture, history, language, handicrafts, reindeer husbandry, Arctic biology, fishing, and tourism.

Lapin 4H-Liitto, Finland.

Advisor: Johanna Seppanen
Position: Youth group director
Term:  2007-08

Responsibilities: Plan and teach a fun and educational curriculum to children and youth in the Kaamasen 4H-kerho including lessons in arts & crafts, science & technology, outdoor nature skills, language (English, Swedish), and music.  I have participated in the Lapin 4H-kesäleiri at Pajakoski, Ivalo teaching kids in the Väripaja, Rautalankapaja, Mönkijäpaja, and Paijupaja.

Kaamasen Kaira ja Opastus (Kaamanen Outfitters), Finland.

Boss: Jackie Hrabok-Leppäjärvi
Position: Wilderness Guide/ Ski trail groomer
Term:  September 2009 - continuous

National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden and the Reindeer Research Station, Kaamanen, Finland.

Advisors: Dr. Peter Waller, Dr. Antti Oksanen, and Docentti Mauri Nieminen
Position: PhD research student
Term:  March 2002 to December 2006

Responsibilities: Design, co-ordinate, and conduct an intensive 4-year biological field based project in Kaamanen in cooperation with the Reindeer Research Station, the Finnish Reindeer Herder’s Association, and the Muddusjärvi Reindeer Herding Cooperative. I collected rectal fecal samples, blood, and assisted in the routine reindeer harvest every month for two consecutive years at the Kutuharju field station; cultured nematode larvae, conducted fecal eggs counts, subsampled gastrointestinal tracts, and  processed and analyzed other biological material for nematodes using high powered compound microscope, stereomicroscope, digital camera, and digitizer; assisted local Sami reindeer herders in the annual cycle of the husbandry including: using all terrain vehicles, snowmachine, lassoing deer, harvesting hay and Equisetum, capturing calves and adults during spring and winter reindeer roundups, and working at the Toivoniemi slaughter house; entered original data and analyzed it statistically; presented results orally and in scientific published journals to the herders and at national and international conferences. A main responsibility of mine was to teach fellow students and the reindeer herding community the importance of reindeer parasitology. Doctorate-level course work at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences included conversational Swedish and Finnish, pedagogy, advanced mathematics-statistics, epidemiology, and veterinary parasitology.

Alaska Biological Research Inc. , Fairbanks, Alaska.

Owner: Bob Ritchie
Position: North Slope Field Technician
Term:  May 2001 to January 2002

Responsibilities: Conducted ecological assessments of BP and Phillips oil drilling operations on the habitat of Arctic flora, caribou, muskox, Arctic fox, waterfowl, geese, and loons; performed ground and aerial (via helicopter) surveys of nesting waterfowl, shorebirds, and loon broods; captured aerial photos of exploratory well sites; rehabilitated reserve pits, ice pads, airstrips, and gravel pads with native shrubs, legumes, grasses, and aquatic vegetation; operated shotguns, VHF radios, satellite phones, 4-wheel drive trucks; and lived in field camps for extended periods working 12 to 14 hours each day, often under inclement weather including snow, ice, rain, mosquitoes, and terrorism threats.

Large Animal Research Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).

Advisor: Bill Hauer
Position: Intern/Resident/Lecturer
Term:  June 1999 to January 2002

Responsibilities:  Weekly handling, feeding, watering and behavioural observations of captive muskoxen, caribou and reindeer; teaching public tours and preparing 1-hour long lectures for JK through senior UAF students discussing biology, ecology and history of Arctic ungulates; participating in necropsies; and spring qiviut combing of muskoxen.

Department of Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Advisor: Dr. Sandy Milner
Position: Aquatic Entomology Research Technician
Term:  October 2000 to July 2001

Responsibilities: Sorting and identification of stream insects; summer field work ccollecting insects from Denali National Park, AK.

Animal Quarters, Dept. of Veterinary Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Advisor: Don Hartbauer
Position:  Animal Technician
Term:  May 2000 to October 2000

Responsibilities:  Daily care of captive reindeer and caribou, Arctic ground squirrels, mice, and black brant; lead rope training of 11 reindeer calves; repair and maintenance of feeders, gates, fences and deer yards.

Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Advisor: Dr. Perry Barboza
Position: Ungulate Nutrition and Physiology Lab Technician
Term:  Sept. 1999 to May 2000

Responsibilities:  Homogenizing/grinding and dry matter and ash determination of muskoxen (Bank’s Island) and reindeer tissues and feed; chemical analyzes (Ceruloplasmin, Bradford, Nucleic Acid, Urea, Uric Acid, Creatinine) of tissues, feces, serum, and urine; and organic (N,S,C) (LECO) and inorganic (Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn) mineral content analyzes of feces, feed and tissues using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry; and histological analyzes of muskoxen tissues using Zeiss Axiovert microscopy digital image analyzes.

Independent Study: The Effects of Rut on Muskoxen: Body Condition Scores, Body Mass and Histology.

Centre for Northern Forest Ecosystem Research (CNFER), Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Coldwater Lakes Experimental Watersheds Project, Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Advisor:  Dr. Rob Steedman
Position: Master’s of  Science Research Student
Term:  January 1997 to June 1999

Responsibilities: Collecting and sorting emergent aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa to family; dissecting, mounting and identifying chironomids to genus using stereo, compound and photomicroscopy; identification of riparian and aquatic vegetation; statistical analyzes of data; Powerpoint oral presentations; participation at scientific conferences; manuscript preparations; teaching and supervising undergraduate students; and living in summer/fall field camp with students for 5 months each year.

Lakehead University Dept. of Biology, Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Advisor:  Barb Barnes
Position:  Lab Instructor/ Teacher
Term:  January 1997 to May 1999

Responsibilities: Teaching Zoology 1000, Ecology 2000, Invertebrate Zoology 3000, and Parasitology 4000 laboratories; marking exams and formal reports, and invigilating mid-term and final examinations.

Centre for Northern Forest Ecosystem Research (CNFER), Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Coldwater Lakes Experimental Watersheds Project, Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Advisor: Pat Furlong
Position: Student Limnologist and Fisheries Biologist
Term:  Sept. 1996 to December 1996

Responsibilities: Performing lake profiles and monitoring water quality from ISCO’s, wetland/upland wells, tensiometers and lysimeters; measuring stream hydrology parameters; gill netting and preparing Lake Trout subsamples for heavy metal contaminants and helminths analyzes; living in field camp with students for 3 months.

Lakehead University, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Vegetation Management Alternatives Project (VMAP), South Gillies, Ontario.

Advisor: Dr. Murray Lankester
Position:  Forestry Field Crew Leader
Term:  May to September 1994, 95, 96

Responsibilities: Collecting/identifying terrestrial gastropods from the boreal forest experimental treatment areas (clearcut, brushsaw, Vision and Release Herbicides, mature forest); determining soil calcium, pH, moisture and relative humidity; and driving rugged logging roads via 4-wheel drive trucks and ATV’s; teaching junior students the trade.

Lakehead University Centre For Analytical Services (LUCAS), Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Advisor:  Al McKenzie
Position: Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma (ICP) Operator
Term:  November 1995 to May 1996

Responsibilities: Analyzing water, foliage, soil and lake sediment for nutrient composition; distilling and deionizing water samples; refilling compressed gas cylinders; reactivating Silica gel. Also participated in ICP quality controls (QC’s) and standard operator procedures (SOP’s) training.

Lakehead University, Dept. of Biology/Parasitology Unit, Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Advisor: Dr.Murray Lankester
Position: Honor’s Bachelor of Science Research Student and Assistant
Term:  May 1994 to September 1996

Responsibilities: Collecting and processing white-tailed deer, moose, caribou, and elk fecal samples and craniums for detection of nematode parasites; collecting and digesting terrestrial gastropods in search of P. tenuis; handling deer and elk at the Kakabeka Game Farm; trapping and examining small mammals for deer ticks; skinning skulls (black bear, wolf, red fox, beaver and lynx), and editing manuscripts for J. Wildl. Dis., J. Wildl. Mgmt. and Can. J. Zool. publications.

Lakehead Region Conservation Authority, Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Advisor: Julien Holstein
Position: Wetlands Assessment Assistant
Term:  June 1993 to August 1993

Responsibilities: Identifying aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna; ranking and classifying wetlands on the basis of rare and significant species; mapping, collecting and pressing vegetation for herbarium collection; eradicating colonies of purple loosestrife; and designing blueprint maps of protected conservation areas.

PERSONAL DATA

Languages: 

Mother tongue Canadian English; spoken and written working knowledge of Finnish, and beginner-level  Swedish, French, and American Sign Language. 

Licenses/Certificates/Training: 

Inarin Kuntalainen; Matkailuturvalisuus kurrsi, Hygienpassi; Inarin verokorti; Ylä-Lapin Kalastuslupa; Maastoliikennelupa (moottorikelkka); Suomalainen oleskelulupa; Suomen ajokortti (AB); Metsästäjätutkinto; Vehicle training (4WD, ATV, 14-16 boat w/motor, snowmobile, trailer towing);  Ensiapu I, Työturvallisuus Kurssi, Poronsisna Neuvoja Kurssi, Lakehead Search and Rescue Winter Training School (Emergency first-aid/CPR); WHIMS training; Alaska hunting/fishing/trapping license; Ontario Hunter’s Education Course, Canadian Firearms Acquisition Certificate; Level I Flat water Kayak;Canadian National Level II Ice Hockey Referee; SAKK Karvatkengät kurssi, SAKK Vasannahkalakki kurssi, SAKK Sisnaa Poronnahkaa- Hanke Opintomatka kurssi; SAKK Kalannahka ompelu kurssi; Folkuniversitet ‘På Svenska’ course; Kansalaisopisto Kalannahkojen Parkitus kurssi; SAKK sisnaompelu kurssi; SAKK tiuhtatyö kurssi.

Computer Skills: 

Intermediate-Advanced User: Windows XP, 2000, Vista, Statistical Programs (SPSS, STATA, Brodgar), Graphic Design (Corel Draw, Paint Shop Pro), Digital Photography (Picasa, Olympus, Canon Zoom Browser), Webpage Design (Publisher, Front Page), and  Web-based Email and extensive Internet knowledge.

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

Articles

Hrabok, J. T., A. Oksanen, M. Nieminen, P. J. Waller. 2007. Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in winter-slaughtered reindeer of northern Finland. Rangifer.

Hrabok, Jackie T. 2006. Nematode Parasites of Reindeer in Fennoscandia. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae, Doctoral Thesis No. 2006:89, Uppsala, Sweden. 52 pp. + appendix.

Hrabok, J. T., A. Oksanen, M. Nieminen, A. Rydzik, A. Uggla, P. J. Waller. 2006. Reindeer as hosts for nematode parasites of sheep and cattle. Veterinary Parasitology 136, 297-306.

Hrabok, Jackie T.  1999.  Density, depth distribution and richness of emerging aquatic insects.  Lakehead University Dept. of Biology.  Master’s Science (Biology) Thesis, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.  128 pp.

Hrabok, Jackie T.  1997.  How long will chironomids tolerate clearcut logging?  Chironomid Newsletter.  April 1997, Germany.

Hrabok, Jackie T. 1996. The possible importance of wintering yards in the transmission of Parelaphostrongylustenuis to white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and moose (Alces alces).  Lakehead University Dept. of  Biology.  Honour’s Bachelor Science (Biology) Thesis, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.   41 pp.

Hrabok, J., J.A. Mooney-Gardner, J. Holenstein. 1993. Northern Ontario Wetland Evaluation, Data and Scoring Record- Mission Marsh. Ontario, Canada.

Oral presentations

Hrabok, J.T.  2006 (April). Poropäivät. Kaamanen, Finland

Hrabok, J.T.  2005 (April). Poropäivät. Kaamanen, Finland. 

Hrabok, J.T.  2004 (May).  Wildlife Society Meeting, Alaska Chapter. Girdwood, Alaska, USA.

Hrabok, J.T.  2004 (May). 10th North American Caribou Workshop. Girdwood, Alaska, USA.

Hrabok, J.T.  2004 (May). University of Alaska Department of Biology and Wildlife Seminar Series. Fairbanks, Alaska, USA.

Hrabok, J.T.  2004 (April). Poropäivät. Kaamanen, Finland. 

Hrabok, J.T.  2003 (October). Lakehead University Biology Departmental Seminar Series. Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.

Hrabok, J.T.  2003 (September). International Workshop of Arctic Parasitology II (IWAP 2). Arctic Centre, Rovaniemi, Finland.

Hrabok, J.T.  2003 (August). 11th Arctic Ungulate Conference (AUC). Saariselkä, Finland. 

Hrabok, J.T.  2003 (August). Circumpolar Arctic Environmental Studies (CAES) Workshop, ‘Reindeer 2005’. Saariselkä, Finland.

Hrabok, J.T.  2003 (August). World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP). New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.

Hrabok, J.T. 2003 (April). Poropäivät. Kaamanen, Finland. 

Hrabok, J.T. 2003 (March). Nordic Academy for Advanced Studies (NorFa) Veterinary Parasitology. Tällberg, Sweden.

Hrabok, Jackie T. 2001 (October).  Midges to Muskoxen; Exploration and Discovery in the Alaskan Arctic. ‘Oral Presentation’. Department of Biology Annual Lecture Series, Lakehead University, Canada.

Hrabok, Jackie T. 1999 (May).  Use of Chironomidae in Biological Monitoring at the Coldwater Lakes Experimental Watersheds, Northwestern Ontario.  ‘Oral Presentation’. The North American Benthological Society Conference, Duluth, MN., USA.

Hrabok, Jackie T. 1998 (October). The Use of Aquatic Diptera in Biological Monitoring. ‘Oral Presentation’.  Recipient of the Graduate Student President’s Prize Travel Award.The Entomological Society of Ontario Meeting, Sudbury, Canada. 

Poster Presentations

Hrabok, J.T. 2006 (April). Poropäivät. Kaamanen, Finland.

Hrabok, J.T. 2005 (October). The 20th International Conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP). Christchurch, New Zealand.

Hrabok, J.T. 2003 (October). Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies (ACUNS) 7th Student Conference on Northern Studies (SCNS). Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Hrabok, Jackie T. 2000 (April).  Parasitism in Arctic Ungulates. Klein Symposium, Fairbanks, Alaska.

Hrabok, Jackie T.  1999 (September).  Density, Depth Distribution and Richness of Emerging Aquatic Insects. 50^th Arctic Science Conference, Denali National Park, Alaska, USA. 

Hrabok, Jackie T. 1998 (January).  Role of Aquatic Insects in Biological Monitoring at the Coldwater Lakes Experimental Watersheds. Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.