Biography

I consider both Madison, WI and Williamsburg, VA my hometowns, and subsequently have an enduring love for both cheese curds and collard greens. I received my B.A. from The College of William and Mary, where I double majored in Anthropology and Environmental Studies and had a wonderful time participating in the Student Environmental Action Coalition’s Sustainable Agriculture working group, campus radio (WCWM 90.9FM), and Women’s Rugby. Since graduating, I have gained valuable experience working for a Tidewater region environmental nonprofit, as well as working as a research technician and manager for a molecular and developmental biology lab. These experiences helped crystallize my interests in examining human-environment interactions as a career, with special focus upon understanding how anthropogenic stressors create effects from the organismal level to that of biogeochemical cycling. I recently obtained my M.S. in Marine Science from UCSB, where I researched environmental microbiology under the guidance of Dr. Patricia Holden. I am very much looking forward to being a part of the 2016 Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology (EEMB) cohort, and starting my doctoral research in Dr. Iglesias-Rodriguez’s lab. In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, and roller derby.

Research Area

I’m perpetually captivated by the dynamic feedbacks between humans and the natural world, and as a graduate student, my main research interests lie in investigating how anthropogenic stressors affect marine organisms and biogeochemical cycling, with special emphasis upon calcifiers. I am also curious to explore both natural and social science approaches, and work in an inter-, trans-, and multi-disciplinary fashion, to help address pressing environmental issues. In addition to Dr. Debora Iglesias-Rodriguez (Biological Oceanography), I am also co-advised by Dr. Peter Alagona (History; Geography; Environmental Studies).