Allison Dandrea

About Allison Dandrea

I originally pursued a degree in Zoology, intending to go into veterinary medicine, but as I moved through my coursework, I found myself more drawn to environmental systems and their connection to wildlife and human health. I chose to focus my electives in environmental science and had the opportunity to study abroad in Honduras, where I helped monitor the health of fringing reefs. That experience sparked a shift in my goals and ultimately led me to pursue a master\'s in environmental science. I moved to Colorado because it plays such a central role in conservation and environmental work in the United States, and I’m now about to graduate with my master’s in Land Resources and Environmental Science. For my professional paper, I used GIS analysis and a literature review to assess how vegetation composition and species richness change concerning recreational trail proximity in Boulder. Through that work, I became closely familiar with plant communities in prairie, montane, subalpine, and alpine ecosystems and developed a strong passion for contributing to local environmental and conservation efforts.Recently earned my master\'s degree in land resources and environmental sciences. I conduct ecosystem surveys year-round in varied environments to assess the needs of native species and their available resources. I also still work in veterinary medicine as I am making my transition, and utilize my skills in microbiology, physiology, and environmental parasites and routes of infection while working in the field of medicine. I am confident in project planning, data formatting, thorough record keeping, and statistical analysis. I am passionate about assessing human impact on natural habitats concerning resources as well as water chemistry and species\' quality of life.Outside of my academic and professional work, I spend much of my free time backpacking, paddleboarding, climbing, and scuba diving. Being out in these landscapes so often gives me a firsthand perspective on the condition of natural areas and the challenges they face. Because I’ve studied these ecosystems in depth, I find myself noticing patterns and changes that many might overlook, which makes my time outdoors feel both personal and purposeful. My experiences in the field—both recreational and scientific—have shaped how I view conservation priorities, and I’m deeply motivated to help improve and protect the habitats I care about. These places have become meaningful to me not only because I enjoy them, but because I understand how valuable and vulnerable they are.

Experience

1. Registered Veterinary Technician

   Sploot Veterinary Care

   May 2024 — Present · Denver, CO, US

   Perform diagnostic imaging, blood draws, and surgical preparation. Collaborated with surgeons to monitor anesthesia, oversee surgical recovery, and communicate with clients during procedure and patient recovery. Improved diagnostic efficiency and treatment accuracy by training 11 members of staff based on my skills.

Education

• Smithtown High School East

  Advanced Regents Diploma

  2012 — 2016

• Montana State University-Bozeman

  Masters, Land Resources and Environmental Science

• Long Island Aquatics

  PADI Open Water And Scuba Diving Certification, Marine Sciences

• Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences

  Study Abroad, Marine Sciences

  2018 — 2018

• Western Suffolk BOCES

  Veterinary Assisting, Veterinary Sciences/Veterinary Clinical Sciences, General

  2014 — 2016

• State University of New York at Oswego

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Minor in Chemistry , Zoology/Animal Biology

  2016 — 2020