Education

B.S. Biological Sciences, 1996
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Undergraduate Research Title: Macronutrient Pools in Accidental Wetlands on Surface Mined Lands of Southwest Virginia.

Honors/Awards

Star Award for outstanding service to the Department of the Interior, 2002, 2003
Phi Sigma, Biological Honor Society

Professional Experience

Physical Science Technician, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver CO. 2001-2004
Stable Isotope Laboratory
Operated, maintained, and developed new techniques for continuous flow, isotope ratio mass spectrometers. Worked on geological, biological, and inter-disciplinary studies with USGS and outside scientists.
Independent Contractor, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver CO. 1999-2001
Micropaleontological studies, and as above.
Technician and Student Researcher, Center for Environmental and Hazardous Materials Studies, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 1994-1996

Publications

Bern, C. R., A. R. Townsend, and G. L. Farmer. 2005. Unexpected dominance of parent-material strontium in a tropical forest with highly weathered soils. Ecology 86(3): 626-632.

Farmer, A. H., M. Abril, M. Fernandez, J. Torres, C. Kester, and C. Bern. 2004. Using stable isotopes to associate migratory shorebirds with their wintering locations in Argentina. Ornitologia Neotropical 15:337-384.

Iko, W. M., C. L. Kester, C. R. Bern, R. C. Stendell, and R. O. Rye. 2003. Isotope variations in white-tailed kites from various habitats in California: possible limitations in assessing
prey utilization and population dynamics. Isotopes Environ. Health Stud. 39(2): 159-167.

Farmer, A. H., R. Rye, G. Landis, C. Bern, C. Kester, and I. Ridley. 2003. Tracing the pathways of Neotropical migratory shorebirds using stable isotopes: A pilot study. Isotopes Environ. Health Stud. 39(2): 169-177.

Volunteer Positions in the Caving Community
Chairman, Colorado Cave Survey
Chairman, Front Range Grotto
Director, Williams Canyon Project of the National Speleological Society