I am excited to be working toward my PhD in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavioral Biology focused on Plant Community Ecology at the University of Louisville in the lab of Dr. Sarah Emery. I am interested in the relationships between native and invasive plants, and their ecological impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. My research will focus on increasing the survivability of native plants and trees in wetland restorations utilizing mycorrhizal fungi as a soil amendment. 

I graduated with a Master of Science degree in Biology focused on Ecology from Western Kentucky University in 2022. My graduate studies examined the importance of native plants, the environmental and human health impacts of invasive plants, and their role in the spread of ticks and tick-borne diseases. 

As a scientist at Louisville Water Company, I collected and analyzed water samples for the presence of algal species and indicators of harmful algal blooms or cyanobacterial contamination, EPA-regulated contaminants, and other pollutants using a variety of chromatography analytical methods, ELISA assays, and microbiological methods. I participated in research to determine the environmental conditions that contribute to harmful algal blooms, the impacts of algal species in the Ohio River on the presence of taste and odor compounds in raw river water and finished drinking water, and the effects of treatment with activated carbon.

I am an experienced environmental science educator and science communicator dedicated to sustainability, environmental justice, and STEM accessibility. I began teaching science in public schools in 2010 because I wanted to make a difference by teaching my students about the incredible biodiversity of our planet and how to protect and conserve it. In that time, I have taught elementary, middle, and high school students in addition to teaching professional development for teachers. I have taught life, earth, and environmental science, health science, and engineering and design courses. I have led thousands of students through the process of experimental design, habitat restoration projects, conducting biodiversity surveys, measuring air and water quality, and examining environmental justice issues in our community. My students and I have participated in a wide variety of community science programs and designed our own. As an expert in science education, I have participated in National Science Foundation-funded science education research, served as a mentor for new STEM teachers, and participated in the design and implementation of an NGSS-aligned K-12 science curriculum for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, KY that was used by 96,000 students in 169 schools. I also have experience developing curricula and programming in nontraditional educational environments.

I have experience in environmental policy including conducting legislative research, policy analysis, and drafting legislation and amendments for the Natural Resources and Energy Committee of the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. As a consultant for a solar power installation company, I have provided technical, policy, and scientific support to increase the uptake of residential and commercial solar power in areas of Kentucky and Indiana traditionally reliant upon coal-burning power plants for electricity. 

I have been a professional photographer for many years and I love to use my skills to draw attention to the beauty of nature and the environmental problems facing our planet. I believe that science communication, whether sharing images that highlight the beauty of the natural world, creating fun videos, or sharing complex information in easy-to-understand language, plays an important role in educating and engaging the public about conservation and scientific discovery.