About

Before beginning my PhD, I studied Integrative Biology at Skidmore College, where I was able to pursue a range of research questions and gain teaching experience while getting a libreal arts education. A research project that helped spark my interest in host-parastie interactions was testing the "good genes" hypothesis in common yellowthroats. I was also very fortunate to visit Costa Rica, where my love for birding really blossomed.

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Summers 2015 ad 2016, I monitored threatened shorebird populations on Cape Cod, learning a great deal about animal behavior, conservation work, and public outreach.

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I spent the 2017-2018 school year teaching the natural and cultural histories of Cape Cod to fifth graders while living on the National Seashore. This was a wonderful experience during which I improved my verbal communication skills and became invested in learning about community ecology.

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At the University of Georgia and in Athens, I continue to participate in outreach and education opportunities through EcoReach. I am still involved with avian conservation efforts, and one of the accomplishments I'm most proud of so far is obtaining funding to apply window films to the ecology building to prevent bird-window strikes.