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Michael Wolf
Captain, M/S The Disperser disperser.info Formal Education Bachelor of General Studies: University of Idaho. May 2009 Coursework: rangeland management and ecology, animal science, computer science, physics, programming (PASCAL), statistical design of experiments, also participated in the first Laser certification courses at Pasadena City College (1991-1993) including design and construction, fiber optics, holography.Training Wolf Handling with Veterinary Perspectives San Diego, California. January 2000: Four day intense course which taught chemical immobilization, field capture, vital statistics, and first aid. Included theory and application of chemical immobilizers and procedures for storage and handling; techniques for capture of wild and captive animals; measuring, monitoring and recording of vital statistics; and field first aid techniques and basic triage. Involved estimation of immobilizing chemical amounts for application to live wolves, and live lab monitoring and maintaining health of animal. Also involved live capture (captive animals), blood draw, and vaccination of several wolves; also took charge of situation when wolf was overdosed. Canon Field Service Certification Los Angeles and Orange County, California. 1991-1997: Completed several training courses for Canon Color Laser and NP copier field service. Youngest technician trained on color laser machines, first trained exclusively on color laser machines. No technical training or experience before obtaining positions.Honors and Organizations McNair Scholar, University of Idaho, 2005-2009 Xi Sigma Pi Honor Society, University of Idaho, 2008 American Mensa, 1994 Sports Car Club of America, 1991-1998Research Interests Climate change mitigation technologies including carbon scrubbing, sequestration, natural mitigation, closed-loop concepts, novel technologies, atmospheric processing. Especially interested in resequestration and carbon availability Evolution and genetics related to human origins and potential, especially interested in cracking DNA/Protein 'programming language', genetic transformation, harnessing of 'cancer', senescence, stem cells Self-sufficiency especially related to environmental self-sufficiency such as for deep-sea, contaminated environment, and space travel Intergalactic Space Travel and technologies including propulsion, stasis, vessel design, shielding, materials, low-resource-cost launch technologiesGeneral Interests Research, science, nature, self-sufficiency, philosophy, moral development, human potential, wolves, oceanographySkills Practical skills: Welding: microwire steel and galvanized, arc, oxy-acetylene; metalworking in general; blacksmithing (forge and anvil); basic metallurgy; woodworking: framing, finish, and cabinetry; engineering: mechanical, electrical, optical, reverse, and acoustical; plumbing; AC wiring; DC wiring; circuit design, construction and repair; drafting and computer aided drafting; automotive repair, maintenance, modification and performance driving both amateur and professional; typing and 10-key; experienced with ferro-cement and laminated ferro-cement including development of repair techniques and patentable armature design, also constructing 4m tender of ferro-cement and utilizing novel armature design; sail repair - hand and machine; rigging; sailing (67' cutter ketch, singlehanded without autopilot); electronics troubleshooting; typesetting and graphic design; color theory; operation, design, and construction of gas and solid lasers; hologrophy; spectrometry; interferometry; race car suspension design, engineering and construction; medical skills including advanced first aid, trauma medicine, minor surgery, and microbiological diagnosis; experienced with various methods of extraction and purification of primarily plant extracts; Special Skills and Training: Automation and test equipment technologies and engineering and systems integration. Incorporated an array of skills to provide complete automated test equipment incorporating commercially available technologies integrated into a complete and novel system for automated testing. Specialized in easy-to-use interfaces and accurate and complete instructions and operation manuals. Machine competence and experience: CNC mill, lathe, drill press, arbor press, commercial sewing machine, heavy duty sewing machine, Technical and Masters level HAM operation certification (USA), skiploaders/tractors (4 cylinder) Programming languages (self taught except Pascal): BASIC, COBOL, Pascal, C, C++, LabVIEW, Visual Basic Other Computer Skills and Software: graphical and other user interface design, HTML, CSS, PHP, web design in general, photo-manipulation and editing software including Photoshop, graphical design including Pagemaker, video editing, 3-D modeling; GIS; database and SQL; some experience with networking; video editing and publication; Musical Instruments:Violin, trumpet, french horn, baritone, tuba, sousaphone, mellophone, bass guitar, trombone, f-clef trombone, some percussion, guitar, keyboards. Languages: English (fairly competent), Spanish (competent), French (learned, no experience), ASL (learning)Notable Accomplishments The Disperser: Circumstances suggested life aboard a sailboat in July 2012, Purchased large ferro-cement ship despite no experience with boats or sailing. Learned all and did all work on my own, alone. Completed preparation of ship which was never previously finished nor sailed. With only green crew, sailed from Stockton, California to Mexico via Bodega Bay. All despite significantly diminished function (G.A.F 40-50). Even survived being swamped by 15' rogue wave on first voyage at sea.Field Experience Various Locations 2012-present. Purchased and began refit of Fibersteel Valeo, custom-made manufactured laminated ferro-cement sailboat to provide my own permanent home with the goal of creating a self-sufficient life for myself. Have learned how to sail while continuously working on various elements of the vessel while gathering resources in order to completely rebuild this vessel. Williams, Oregon 2009. Worked on an internship at Howling Acres Wolf Sanctuary. Had planned to purchase facility, but research demonstrated this to be non-feasible largely due to infrastructure and current owners' attitudes towards animals (facility shut down not long afterwards). Internship provided valuable insight into unsuccessful wolf sanctuary operation and associated methodologies/attitudes. Interacted with numerous donors and networked with other sanctuaries. Salmon, Idaho 2006. Worked on the Muleshoe project as a field researcher. This ongoing project is a research project of the University if Idaho to determine the effectiveness of low-moisture supplement blocks on reducing livestock impact on riparian areas in public grazing allotments. Worked on hypotheses regarding behavior of livestock in capacity of summer research experience with McNair Scholar program at University of Idaho. Dworshack Resevoir June through August 2005, near den site of "Chesimia" wolf pack and on grazing allotment of Tom and Susan Beale. Preliminary research. Spent summer camping in grazing allotment on Idaho State Forest lands. Interacted with rancher, agency personnel, local residents, local sportsmen and recreationalists experiencing activities, attitudes, and ecology of active wolf terrirtory. Conducted observation of activities including grazing in order to ascertain research ideas. Central Idaho wolf recovery area, June and July 2003, April 2000, April 1999, September 1998. Informal research experiences. Visited this center of wolf controversy on numerous occasions investigating poaching and illegal control actions; experiencing scenery and local "color"; interviewing ranchers, business owners, and residents; tracked wolves; examined range; interacted with agency personnel; photographed area; investigated den and rendezvous sites (abandoned.) Southwest Wolf Recovery Area, December 1999. Informal research experience. Visited communities and recovery area for the Mexican Wolf species to interview local residents to gain knowledge of personal views of wolves and wolf recovery, including interview with later-convicted poacher of wolf. Examined range, investigated poaching incidents, interacted with agency personnel, photographed area, and experienced activities and locale of this diverse region in northwester Arizona.Pro Se Legal Experience Defenders et. al. vs. US Fish and Wildlife Service et. al. CV-09-77-M-DWM US District Court District of Montana Missoula Division. 2008: Drafted and filed amicus brief, motion for leave to file, and reply to opposition to motion and brief. Brief not utilized in decision. Perry et. al. vs Schwarzenegger et. al. CV 09-2292 VRW US District Court for, District of N. California. 2008. Drafted and submitted amicus brief. Argument, that Proposition 8 violated the first amendment's guarantee of freedom from religion, was later argued in the US Supreme Court. Social Security Disability and other benefits. 2004-2014: Completed several steps of three separate disability applications over 10 years including appeal of federal decision to appeals council, and self representation at two administrative hearings which were favorably decided. Also wrote numerous appeals and petitions as well as proposal to reform SSDI especially application process. Also managed dozens of administrative and judicial procedures related to other state and federal benefits.Project Experience "Buff" - A diesel/hydraulic hybrid pickup truck. 2003. University of Idaho. Contributed control software, research, and engineering services to a project from the mechanical engineering program at University of IdahoPresentations Addressing Shortfalls of Wolf Recovery Presented at "Frontiers of Wolf Recovery", October 2005 Wolves and Wolf Recovery Presented at various conventions nationwide since September 2004 LabVIEW Programming Guidelines Presented at LabVIEW Power Users' Group, September 2001Publications Journalistic articles. 2010-2013: Published several journalistic articles on Yahoo Contributor Network and later Reader Supported News. Portfolio available. Publications unavailable due to closure of YCN and censorship by RSN. Deploying Applications by Using a Loader. September 2002. Published on "Developer Insights" on ni.com, National Instruments' website LabVIEW, Rules to Program By. 2001. Precontract for book with Pearson detailing organized programming guidelines for the visual programming language. Contract was not concluded due to 9/11 attacks and book never published. Volunteer Experience Wolf Ranch Foundation, California and Idaho. March 2000 to June 2012: Founder. Created charitable organization dedicated to education about wolves and wolf recovery, and to creating a research facility. Maintained educational website, gave presentations and educational seminars, conducted fundraising, advocated policy and practices, conducted research, interacted with agencies and politicians. Garfield Street Pet Clinic, Moscow, Idaho. March 2004 to June 2004: Intern. Assisted with surgery and care/treatment of animals in this private practice veterinary clinic as part of coursework for animal science. Wolf Mountain Sanctuary, Lucerne Valley, California. March 2000 to December 2002: Volunteer. Occasionally volunteered for this wolf rescue facility. Included assisting with care and maintenance of over a dozen wolves. California Wolf Center, Julian, California. September 1998 to August 2001: Volunteer. Served as a staff volunteer for this education, research, and wildlife conservation center. Duties included public relations, technical support (computer), general labor, and care and feeding of over two dozen wolves.Work Experience Advanced Test Engineering, California and Idaho. February 2002 to June 2004: Founder. Founded consultation business providing programming, systems integration, education, staffing services. Ascendco Scientific Incorporated, San Diego, California. April 2001 to February 2002: Manager. Managed Automated Test Equipment division and served as lead programmer/systems engineer. Cubic Defense Systems, San Diego, California. August 2000 to April 2001: Independent consultant. Senior software engineer for Automated Test Equipment. Cymer Incorporated, San Diego, California. October 1997 to August 2000: Research Scientist Assistance. Programmer and technical assistance for laser chamber engineering. Included research, automation programming, computer setup, technical support of engineers and scientists, laboratory work and maintenance. Closed Loop Concepts, California and Arkansas. November 1994 to October 1997: Founder. Owned and operated this independent business selling and servicing copiers, primarily color laser copiers. Patents Patent Number 6,466,602 Gas discharge laser long life electrodes (partial). Developed two concepts for electrode design for eximer lasers. |