One of my favorite activities is enjoying time outdoors in local parks either picnicking with a good book, walking with friends, or watching local wildlife. At these moments I feel a strong sense of place. I want to know more about what makes places unique and valuable, and I think that knowing more about the history and character of the land via ecology helps in this pursuit.
As an ecologist, I am interested in studying and documenting factors that influence biodiversity. My dissertation research focused on urban and agroecology as it relates to strawberry production across environmental gradients. My past and ongoing professional experiences focus on incorporating environmental education and promoting environmental sustainability.
I aim to engage with diverse stakeholders and community members who have an interest in biological conservation and nature exploration. In my work, I hope to inspire people to participate in citizen science and connect with their surroundings.
My interest in citizen science arose from an experience during the summer of my junior year of college at which point I was earning my bachelor’s degree in Conservation and Wildlife Management. I volunteered to investigate the impacts of elephant overpopulation in Kruger National Park, South Africa with an international nonprofit called Operation Wallacea. Inspired by the expertise of my colleagues and the satisfaction I felt from contributing to the research, I later pursued a master’s degree in sustainability and a doctoral degree in biology to better understand and think about the complexities of environmental issues as they relate to ecological and social outcomes.