ABOUT ME
I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Biological Sciences department at Virginia Tech.
My research interests lie at the intersection of land use, policy, and water quality and quantity. I have experience in river ecology, mussel biology/ecology, and resource management in Minnesota, and agricultural land management, landscape hydrologic processes, and farm policy in Idaho & Washington. I am currently in the Carey Lab at Virginia Tech, studying lake ecosystem science and management.
RESEARCH AREAS
Socio-Environmental Systems
(or coupled-natural human systems)
Complex environmental issues require diverse disciplinary perspectives encompassing natural and social sciences.
Landscape Ecology; Ecosystem Ecology
Here, I am most interested in the connection between landscape and freshwater ecosystem structure and function
Translational Ecology
Incorporating decision-makers (e.g., home owners, policy makers) into the research process will build capacity for communities to achieve environmental goals and improve research applicability. Importantly, scientists need to truly value what community members bring to the table, especially in terms of experience, knowledge, and application.
Systems Thinking and Transdisciplinary Research
I want to be in the room with the non-academics (in addition to my academic colleagues)!
EDUCATION
2016 - Present
Virginia Tech
Ph.D. in Biology
2013 - 2015
University of Idaho
M.S. in Water Resources Science & Management
2006 - 2010
University of Wisconsin - Madison
B.S. in Biology; Environmental Studies