Ecologist
I am an ecologist who uses field experiments and quantitative methods to investigate the processes that influence the structure and function of coastal biomes. As a postdoc at Oregon State University, I’m applying machine learning methods to detect and predict regime shifts in marine ecosystems. For my PhD research at Oregon State University, I studied rocky intertidal ecosystems of Oregon, California, and Nova Scotia. In several projects, I examined how oceanographic regimes, climate change, disturbance events, diseases, and species interactions influence the dynamics of community succession. Following my passion for conservation, I have also published research on marine protected area commitments and the unintended consequences of biocontrol insects for threatened wildflowers. Prior to my doctoral studies, I completed my BA in biology and environmental studies at Lawrence University, where I conducted field work and stakeholder engagement on sand dunes along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Environmentalist
I am an environmentalist who is committed to conserving biodiversity and promoting ecosystem-based management, particularly in coastal and marine habitats. Consequently, I am leading a collaboration of interdisciplinary researchers at Oregon State University, Florida State University, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks to study marine protected areas (MPAs). As a team of marine science and policy experts, we are investigating proposed and existing MPAs in Alaska to learn about their complex governance, sectoral management, and intended outcomes. In addition, as a recipient of the McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award, I lobbied on behalf of the Ecological Society of America for increased funding for the National Science Foundation. While at Lawrence, I was awarded the Udall Scholarship in recognition of my commitment to environmental issues.
Educator
I am an educator who practices placed-based instruction. I believe that students should be grounded in the history, culture, and ecology of their local communities and environments. Therefore, the best place to learn ecology and natural history is in the field, observing and documenting living organisms. To that end, I have brought all my mentees and many undergraduate students to rocky intertidal field sites on the Oregon coast. Together, we have identified algae, invertebrates, and birds, and discussed their species interactions and physical stressors. Through long-term, large-scale monitoring projects, we have collected data on the communities that characterize the intertidal zones. In classroom, lab, and field settings, I provide understandable and engaging content, while maintaining equitable teaching practices such as using cooperative learning structures and seeking diverse perspectives.