Below is a summary of my work and research experiences. Please view a better-formatted version of my curriculum vitae as a PDF.
An undergraduate B.S. General Biology and B.A. Studio Art student pursuing an interdisciplinary career that combines ecological research and creative scientific communication. My work synthesizes scientific research methodologies and new media artistic techniques.
Education
Bachelor of Science, General Biology & Bachelor of the Arts, Studio Art
GPA: 3.99 August 2024, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida
Associate of the Arts, General Studies
GPA: 3.95 May 2019, Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, Florida
Recognition and Awards
Featured in the Spring 2023 edition of University of West Florida Connections Alumni Magazine.
Published in the 2022 International Symposium on Electronic Art Proceedings.
Won Best Environmental Science Presentation at the 2021 UWF Student Scholars Symposium.
Research Experience
Office of Undergraduate Research, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida
Developing a Conservation Program Plan for the University of West Florida Fall 2023 – Summer 2024
Mentor: Chasidy Hobbs, UWF Director of Conservation
- Researched and networked with conservation programs at several other higher education institutions.
- Reviewed institutional plans and met with faculty, staff, and administrative leaders to gain an understanding of UWF’s natural areas, long term goals, and novel programming development processes.
- Collaborated within a team to propose an Argos Conservation Corps Collective.
- Conducted a literature review to gain an understanding of relevant conservation strategies.
Resurrecting Data as a Phenomenological and Spatial Object Fall 2021 – Summer 2022
Mentor: Prof. Thomas Asmuth
- Designed a sculpture to bridge gaps in scientific communication, basing its form and concept in philosophical study of phenomenology and Deleuzean multiplicity.
- Fabricated a maquette, with techniques including 3D modeling in Fusion360, 3D-printing, laser engraving, CNC milling, and electronics soldering.
- Presented remotely for the 27th International Symposium on Electronic Art, Barcelona, Spain.
Greenough’s Washington as a 3D-Printed Commemorative Object Summer 2022
Mentors: Prof. Thomas Asmuth & Dr. Jocelyn Evans
- Taught a peer the full 3D-printing process, from preparing files to cleaning prints.
- Produced twenty-eight models of a controversial statue for an academic client.
- Presented work as a poster at the 2023 Southern Regional Honors Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina and at the 2023 UWF Student Scholar Symposium.
Defining the Relationship between Turbidity and Aerobic Anoxygenic Phototrophic Spring 2022
Bacteria from Local Waterways, Measured Using Infrared-Based Technology
Mentors: Prof. Thomas Asmuth & Dr. Lisa Waidner
- Collaboratively utilized design thinking to develop and fabricate improvements to a near-infrared (NIR) turbidity sensor alongside teammates from multiple disciplines.
- Fabricated an Arduino-based sensor apparatus, with steps including modeling the device housing using Fusion360 and soldering electronic components.
- Presented work as a group poster at the 2022 UWF Student Scholar Symposium.
Analyzing and Visualizing Porewater Nutrient Concentration Data Fall 2019 – Spring 2021
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Schwartz
- Collected porewater nutrient samples in the field using specialized equipment.
- Analyzed samples alongside standards to determine nutrient concentration using spectrophotometry.
- Explored interdisciplinary methods of data communication and analysis.
- Presented work at the 2021 National Conference on Undergraduate Research and the 2021 Student Scholars Symposium.
- Won Best Environmental Science Presentation at the 2021 UWF Student Scholar Symposium.
Mapping the Potential of Conflict – Transboundary Viewsheds Spring 2020
Mentor: Dr. Derek Morgan & Dr. Jocelyn Evans
- Collaborated with other students to record and visualize field observations relating to viewsheds across property lines at Pensacola Beach.
- Made research contributions that were presented by faculty at the 23rd International Research Symposium on Cartography and GIScience.
- Presented work at the UWF 2020 Student Scholar Symposium.
Work Experience
Department of Art and Design Assistant January 2022 – Present
College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida
Office Assistant August 2023 – Present
Supervisor: Miriam Hoover
- Devised and practiced a standardized database entry method for artwork inventory and accession records spanning three decades.
- Located, identified, and recorded loaned artwork throughout the university campus.
Teaching Assistant January 2022 – May 2023
Supervisor: Prof. Thomas Asmuth
- Assisted facilitation of the UWF course Introduction to Digital Studio Practice.
- Guided students in applying course material including fundamental HTML coding, electronics soldering, and Adobe Create Cloud Suite program skills.
UWF Makerspace Assistant September 2022 – May 2023
Supervisor: Prof. Thomas Asmuth
- Contributed to establishing a makerspace facility, from the initial move-in to its opening ceremony and beyond.
- Developed training materials for multiple devices, including laser engravers, soldering stations, and an embroidery machine.
- Conducted public outreach at events such as the 2022 Pensacola Mini Maker Faire and Pensacon 2023.
Academic Success Coach November 2020 – May 2022
Center for Academic Success, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida
- Regularly met and worked with individual students to build habits to foster their academic success.
- Presented and facilitated workshops focused on study skills and time management.
- Thoroughly documented all meetings and goal-oriented progress with clients.
Diversity and Inclusion Peer Leader Spring 2020
Office of Equity and Diversity, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida
- Researched, prepared, and delivered an interactive presentation on respectful communication surrounding disability.
- Developed an understanding of diversity within the University of West Florida student population and completed a C3 Certification.
Symposia and Conferences
Publications
Asmuth, T. & Turner-Ward, D. (2022). Resurrecting data as a phenomenological and spatial object. Proceedings of the 2022 International Symposium on Electronic Art, 1095-1096. https://isea2022.isea-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ISEA2022-BCN-Proceedings.pdf
Presentations
Turner-Ward, D., Brown, M., Asmuth, T., & Evans, J. Greenough’s George Washington as a 3D-Printed Commemorative Object. (2023, April 20). University of West Florida 2023 Student Scholar Symposium and Faculty Research Showcase, Pensacola, Florida, United States. https://uwf.edu/media/university-of-west-florida/academic-affairs/departments/our/symposium/OUR-Symposium-Program-2023—FINAL.pdf
Turner-Ward, D., Brown, M., Asmuth, T., & Evans, J. Greenough’s George Washington as a 3D-Printed Commemorative Object. (2023, March 30 – April 2). Southern Regional Honors Conference 2023, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. http://www.srhconline.org/events/srhc2023
Asmuth, T. & Turner-Ward, D. (2022, June 10-16). Resurrecting data as a phenomenological and spatial object. 2022 International Symposium on Electronic Art, Barcelona, Spain. https://youtu.be/4pEL-rDecSE?si=d35WV-G5Alr0Gx52
Kerowa, D., McIntyre-Willis, G., Moore, S., Peck, A., Robbins, B., Turner-Ward, D., Asmuth, T., & Waidner, L. (2022, April 14). Intersection of and biology: A study defining the relationship between turbidity and aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria from local waterways, measured using infrared-based technology. University of West Florida 2022 Student Scholar Symposium and Faculty Research Showcase, Pensacola, Florida, United States. https://uwf.edu/media/university-of-west-florida/academic-affairs/departments/our/symposium/OUR-Symposium-Program-2022.pdf
Gambel, C., Asmuth, T., Wells, J., Dougherty, J., Lebrun, Y., White, B., Sexton, R., McDaniel, S., Stark, L., Coatney, K., TaraBori, B., Williams, B., Miller, K., Chaimowitz, S., Rahn, J., Kearney, C., Dorman, W., Schriever, S., Muir, D., … & West, O. (2022, April 14). Thinking and making in the landscape: Possibilities for a livable future. University of West Florida 2022 Student Scholars Symposium and Faculty Research Showcase, Pensacola, Florida, United States. https://uwf.edu/media/university-of-west-florida/academic-affairs/ departments/our/symposium/our-symposium-program-2022.pdf
Turner-Ward, D., Schwartz, M., Asmuth, T., & Fonder, C. (2021, April 15). Analyzing and visualizing porewater nutrient concentration data. University of West Florida 2021 Student Scholar Symposium and Faculty Research Showcase, Pensacola, Florida, United States. https://uwf.edu/media/university-of-west-florida/academic-affairs/departments/our/symposium/OUR-Symposium-Program-2021_FINAL.pdf
Turner-Ward, D., Schwartz, M., Asmuth, T., & Fonder, C. (2021, April 12-14). Analyzing and visualizing porewater nutrient concentration data. 2021 National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Virtual. https://youtu.be/WhWKzNiwaj8?si=8QuYrJcKcsEzUJ5e
Turner-Ward, D. & Schwartz, M. (2020, April 16). Analyzing porewater nutrients in relationship to precipitation. University of West Florida 2020 Student Scholar Symposium and Faculty Showcase, Pensacola, Florida, United States. https://uwf.edu/media/university-of-west-florida/academic-affairs/departments/our/symposium/UWF-Student-Scholars-Symposium-Program-2020-.pdf
Morgan, D., Day, J., Henley, J., Woodruff, M., Turner-Ward, D., & Honeycutt, N. (2020, November 18). Mapping transboundary viewsheds on developed shorelines. AutoCarto 2020, the 23rd International Research Symposium on Cartography and GIScience, Virtual. https://cartogis.org/autocarto/autocarto-2020/program/
Day, J., Turner-Ward, D., Woodruff, M., Henley, J., & Morgan, D. (2020, April 16). Mapping the potential of conflict: Transboundary viewsheds. University of West Florida 2020 Student Scholar Symposium and Faculty Showcase, Pensacola, United States. https://uwf.edu/media/university-of-west-florida/academic-affairs/departments/our/symposium/UWF-Student-Scholars-Symposium-Program-2020-.pdf