my Story
education:
2026
Master Composter Certificate: Lower East Side Ecology Center:
NYC Trash Academy: Sanitation Foundation
2021
University of Vermont: Masters in Professional Studies: Leadership for Sustainability
2012
Allegheny College: Bachelors of Science: Environmental Science
publications & Contributions
as Marieke Perchik:
(2015). Metabolic responses of the Nereid polychaete, Alitta succinea, to hypoxia at two different temperatures. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, with Sturdivant et al.
(2018). Role of animal detritivores in the breakdown of emergent plant detritus in temporary ponds. Freshwater Science With Wissinger et al.
(2022). Species-specific traits predict whole-assemblage detritus processing by pond invertebrates. Oecologia with Balik et al.
Environmental Education Advisory Committee
Femme Fishing Trips
Forest For All NYC
NASA Earth To Sky
NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Program, Harbor Educators Work Group
NYS Outdoor Education Association
Surfrider Foundation, NY Chapter
affiliations:
work experience:
Outdoor Educator:
Battery park city
Today, I lead class trips and weekly nature programs for students, guide adult birding and nature explorations, and organize and lead fishing clinics and outings.
As an outdoor educator, my journey has come full circle: from poking into ponds and streams as a curious child, to diving deeper into scientific inquiry as a researcher, I have found my ecological niche: engaging with people in the great outdoors!
park guide:
central park
As a park guide, I offered informal engagement, gave directions, and lead tours of Central Park’s natural history. This is where I first identified as a birder!
Park ranger:
As a seasonal interpretive park ranger with the National Park Service, I led tours and educational programs focusing on the historical significance of the Statue and Immigration Center. During this time, I also led tours with nonprofit partner Save Ellis Island.
This was a formative role; my first adventure outside of academia. I was struck by the power of public programs, guiding audiences to understand the connections between our past and present, across cultures and oceans. Plus, NYC History is a personal passion of mine, and I loved bringing it to work!
Statue of Liberty and ellis island
research:
My practice today is rooted in a solid foundation of life science education. I am grateful for the experience to participate in climate-related ecological monitoring research: it galvanized me to find a career communicating this science to the larger world.
As an undergraduate studying Environmental Science, I:
Completed a NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF REU) at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory studying detritivores (dead-leaf-eaters) in high-altitude ponds…
Studied marine biology at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment marine laboratory…
Researched the responses of a small sand-dwelling marine worm called a Nereid polychaete in low oxygen conditions, such as we might see in warming oceans…
Released and monitored fledgling Aplomado falcons with nonprofit The Peregrine Fund.
