Christian Franco
About Christian Franco
Christian Franco is a Biological Science Technician with extensive experience in wildlife monitoring and research. He has worked for organizations such as the U.S. Geological Survey and Advanced Veterinary Specialists, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology/Animal Biology from UC Santa Barbara.
Current Role at U.S. Geological Survey
Christian Franco has been employed as a Biological Science Technician at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) since 2020. In this role, he monitors coyote and jackrabbit movement and behavior using radio telemetry. His responsibilities include capturing, marking, and fitting GPS/VHF collars on wildlife to track their movements. He also conducts nocturnal spotlight line distance surveys specifically for jackrabbits. Franco utilizes Real Time Kinematic GPS technology to collect precise data on wildlife and vegetation, contributing to ongoing research efforts.
Previous Experience in Veterinary and Wildlife Care
Before joining the USGS, Christian Franco worked as a Doctor Assistant at Advanced Veterinary Specialists from 2018 to 2019 in the Santa Barbara, California area. He also served as an Apprentice at Macaw Recovery Network for three months in 2019 in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Additionally, he was a Guest Ambassador at San Diego Zoo Global from 2016 to 2017, where he engaged with visitors and supported zoo operations.
Education in Zoology and Ecology
Christian Franco studied Zoology and Animal Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from 2017 to 2019. He also attended San Diego Mesa College, focusing on Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from 2015 to 2017. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his work in biological science and wildlife research.
Technical Skills and Research Capabilities
In his current and previous roles, Christian Franco has developed a range of technical skills. He has managed large datasets using Excel, relational databases, and Google Earth for data analysis and quality control. He has experience in collecting and analyzing tissue samples, including blood and DNA, for research purposes. Franco has also maintained and sorted a network of camera traps to monitor wildlife activity and identified various species of birds, reptiles, and small mammals during field research.
Military Background as Hospital Corpsman
Prior to his career in biological science, Christian Franco served in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman from 2010 to 2015. This experience provided him with valuable skills in medical care and logistics, which he applies in his current role in wildlife research and management.