Elizabeth Kurpiers
Teaching Experience
Adjunct Professor, Environmental Science, Austin Community College, Austin, TX Fall 2024 – Present
- Teach undergraduate courses in environmental science focusing on topics like conservation biology, sustainability, and climate change
Instructional Assistant Biology Department - Texas State University, San Marcos, TX August 2020 – January 2022
- Taught Wildlife Management, Vertebrate Physiology, and Biology for Educators labs
- Lead weekly undergraduate labs delivering a range of teaching and assessment activities
- Mentored students of diverse backgrounds with sensitivity to individual needs
- Supervise practical work advising students on skills, methods, & techniques for self-improvement
- Assess students’ progress giving timely and appropriate feedback
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Biology Department, College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN May 2014-May 2017
- Prepared and taught introductory biology and ecology labs effectively to a diverse students using a variety of teaching techniques
- Evaluated student performance and maintained sensitivity to deadlines when grading lab reports
Professional Experience
Park Ranger Supervisor, City of Austin, Austin, TX October 2024 – Present
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Lead and coordinate education and outreach programming across ~380 parks and 20,000+ acres, serving diverse Austin communities.
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Chair Training Committee; develop lesson plans, SOPs, and curricula for new Park Rangers supporting public engagement and natural resource stewardship.
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Use ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps, & Survey123 to collect field data, create maps, and prepare reports for internal partners.
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Supervise 2 Rangers, managing daily operations, scheduling, budget, & equipment across large urban park system.
Park Ranger II City of Austin, Austin, TX August 2023 – present
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Led bilingual (English/Spanish) outreach and adapted the Cadet Intern curriculum for Spanish-speaking students.
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Developed & led a year-long Cadet practicum teaching high school students Central Texas ecology and leadership.
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Recruited, hired, and mentored 4 summer interns.
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Hosted educational programs at the historic Park Ranger Station
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Led community-facing field programs and volunteer engagement for stewardship activities.
Park Ranger I City of Austin, Austin, TX June 2022 – August 2023
- Design and teach educational interpretative programs for diverse audiences on topics including animal identification, birding, fishing, rock climbing and cave exploration
- Patrol urban parks maintaining sensitivity to high traffic areas, demonstrating excellent customer service, and acting as a knowledgeable resource to park patrons
- Engage with people experiencing homelessness in parks, informing them of resources that may be available and building rapport through positive interactions
- Organize and lead volunteers in park clean-ups and invasive species removal projects
Veterinary Assistant Banfield Pet Hospital, Austin, TX October 2022 – August 2023
- Performed physical assessments and assisted during surgeries, delivering medical treatments and vaccinations to pets
- Provided excellent customer service to pet owners, delivering sensitive medical information about pets effectively and empathetically
Associate Pharmacologist American Preclinical Services, Coon Rapids, MN September 2017 – August 2020
- Acted as Principal Investigator on proprietary preclinical pharmacology and toxicology studies, duties including: coordinating with client to design a study, writing study protocols, organizing technicians to run studies, analyzing data, & writing final reports
- Performed surgical procedures & behavioral assays in rodents
- Initiated and implemented first scheduling/coordination system to manage pharmacology department with associated departments
Sage-Grouse Research Technician University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY April 2019 — August 2019
- Conducted sage-grouse capturing, collaring, & night-time brood counts
- Monitored sage-grouse nests for nest success & brood-rearing hens to estimate recruitment
- Sampled vegetation using techniques including Daubenmire quadrats & Robel pole measurements
- Tracked sage-grouse in difficult terrain & adverse weather conditions using radio-telemetry, GPS units, compass, & 4x4 drive vehicles
Student Researcher Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador Summer 2016
- Designed & implemented undergraduate level field study investigating foraging behaviors of sally lightfoot crab
- Composed a scientific paper and presentation analyzing data, describing results, and forming conclusions
Field Research Assistant Dr. Carol Jansky, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, MN Summer 2015
- Independently initiated facet of research comparing resting tree swallow metabolic rate across nests and habitats
- Trapped and banded tree swallows, collecting blood & fecal samples
- Performed field behavioral tests to assess aggression levels of mother swallows
- Performed DNA extractions & PCR isolation techniques on samples to determine hormone levels in subjects
Professional Presentations
Implications of Cropping Rate Variation on the Costs of Vigilance in Roosevelt Elk February 2022 Wildlife Society - Texas Chapter’s 58th Annual Meeting
When Can Bite Rate Compensate for Increased Vigilance? February 2021 Wildlife Society - Texas Chapter’s 57th Annual Meeting
Behavioral Analysis of Galapagos Grapsus grapsus in Response to Daily Tidal Conditions April 2017 National Conference for Undergraduate Research, University of Memphis, TN
Factors Affecting Tree Swallow Nestling Resting Metabolic Rate April 2016 National Conference for Undergraduate Research, University of North Carolina, NC
Awards
Employee Recognition, Natural Resources Division - City of Austin, Fall 2025
Lamar & Marilynn Johanson Graduate Endowment in Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX Fall 2021
The Graduate College Thesis Research Support Fellowship, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX Fall 2021
W. E. (Henry) Norris, Jr. Endowed Scholarship, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX Fall 2021
The Graduate College Scholarship – Science & Engineering, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX Fall 2021
Magna Cum Laude, College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN May 2017
Trustee’s Scholarship, College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN August 2013 - May 2017
Biology Department Student of the Year, Nominee, College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN May 2017
Dean’s List, College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN Fall 2013, Fall 2015, Spring 2017
Published: August 24, 2026