I developed an interest in ecology as high-school student near the American River in Sacramento, California, where I observed changing macroinvertebrates in connected creeks and lamented the loss of salmon at our local hatchery through the California drought. I knew understanding the forces that drive ecosystem change would occupy my future.
I am also an avid ultimate frisbee player and captain of the Virginia Tech Burnettes. I try to bring my love for teamwork (and womens' sports) with me in all that I do.
I completed my bachelors degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Geobiology in 2022 at University of Southern California. During my time at USC, I became enamored of the ways we can quantitatively characterize ecosystem roles and structure to paint a picture of a community while studying Triassic Patch Reefs in Dr. Dave Bottjer's lab. Following completion of my undergrad, my love of the Triassic blossomed, but my attention turned away from forams and corals and to the fantastic creatures on land. I am now a PhD candidate in Dr. Sterling Nesbitt's Lab at Virginia Tech studying microvertebrates from the Late Triassic of the Southwestern US.
In addition to my research, I am also involved in teaching and mentoring students. I have served as head TA for an introductory physical geology lab for which I received the Tillman Award for Outstanding Teaching in an introductory level course. I believe that conducting science goes hand in hand with communicating it, and I love to engage with students to make geosciences exciting! I also prioritize inclusive classroom environments with the thought that learning is easier when we feel comfortable and confident.
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I am currently mentoring an undergraduate student who is hoping to continue into a career in paleontology in best practices for research and preparing for the graduate school application process; I want to make sure young women looking for careers in STEM have all the resources they need to succeed.
