LEIGHA MEREDITH
EDUCATION
University of Iowa - B.A. Environmental Sciences (Honors)
Iowa City, IA 2019
Honors thesis: The Forest Seer’s Almanac- handbound and illustrated compilation of field notes and science essays, honoring the seasonal cycles in nature, indigenous ways of knowing, and forgotten art of observational sciences.
Specialization in analytical chemistry, field ecology, & illustration
Graduate-level coursework: collections care and science writing
CERTIFICATE
Welshpool, Wales 2024
International Association of Kambo Practitioners - Basic Kambo Practitioner Certificate
Ceremonial facilitation of traditional Amazonian therapeutic technique, including safety and ethical code of practice.
APPRENTICESHIP
Holualoa, HI 2020-2025
Dovetail Gallery & Design, under master potter and furniture designer Gerald Ben
Fine Art furniture & cabinetmaking, architectural mill work, traditional joinery, finishes, on-site installation, and repairs. Managing social media, online sales, and training interns
CONSERVATION
KUPU/ Americorps/ Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park -
Conservation Leadership Development Program
Volcano, HI 2019-2020
Front and backcountry trail maintenance, brush clearing with hand and power tools, tread repair and stone masonry following 2018 eruption earthquake damage, NPS operational leadership training
Iowa Lakeside Laboratories - Resident Advisor
Milford, IA 2019
Administrative support for a residential field research campus, assisting with class trips, artist-in-residence programs, and student life. Invasive species removal and grounds maintenance of a 44 acre tallgrass prairie restoration site. Designed and led a shoreline sedge meadow native plant restoration project.
FELLOWSHIPS
Vibrant Hawai‘i,- ‘Oaka Emerging Artist Fellow
2025
18-28 year old artists representing each district of Hawai‘i island. Monthly gatherings focused on business development, Hawaiian cultural practices, and local artist talks. Funding for independent creative project
Iowa Center for Research for Undergraduates - Research Fellow
2018
Funding to support summer undergraduate research and independent projects
EXHIBITIONS
Holualoa, HI 2023
Donkey Mill Art Center - Compost Culture: The Art of Regenerative Transformation
A collaborative art ecosystem of self identified Artist-Farmers
"Reciprocal Sacrifice: A Fully Biodegradable Painting" earth pigments in beeswax on wood panel
RESIDENCIES
Marine on St. Croix, MN 2018
Marine on St. Croix Watershed Research Station - Artist at Pine Needles
Developed sustainable painting materials, illustrated museum collections and microscope samples, led a community outreach workshop on nature journaling with a local state park
UNDERGRADUATE
RESEARCH
Stone Lab - Chemistry
2016-2018
Atmospheric Chemistry- field ambient air quality sampling, solvent extractions, operating GC-MS, data analysis and visualization, participation in group meetings and literature reviews
Sander Group - Geography and Sustainability Sciences
2016-2018
Urban Ecology- tree identification and GIS forestry surveys for urban biodiversity study, mammal camera trap surveys, acoustic bird surveys. ICRU fellowship funding for second year position training new research assistants
Hendrix Lab - Biology
2018-2019
NON-PROFIT BOARD
Pollinator Ecology- Identification and care of bee collections, scientific illustration
River City Housing Collective - Vice President, President
Iowa City, IA 2017-2019
cooperative ownership of 3 historic houses. Oversight on finance & development committee, monitoring work credit accountability, facilitating weekly meetings and conflict mediations.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
Member of Hawai‘i’s Strongest LLC- promoting strength athletics opportunities interisland, coaching and hosting sanctioned meets
Amateur strongwoman - 2023 Hawai'i's Strongest Woman u83kg, 2023 Wahine Overall Champion- Te Moana Nui Games
Classically trained dancer & performing circus artist
Instructor and model for anatomical figure drawing classes
LANGUAGES
‘Olelo Hawai‘i, Modern Standard Arabic, German