I am currently completing my 7th year as a PhD student at the University of Georgia's Odum School of Ecology, advised by Dr. Craig Osenberg. As an undergraduate at the University of Florida, I worked in several labs and sought out numerous opportunities to conduct research on the coast. I graduated from the University of Florida in 2014 with a BSc in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and a minor in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 

While I'm cultivating my interests as a researcher, I also remain passionate about sustainability, teaching, and science communication. Because of this, I'm always striving to become involved with initiatives that promote public awareness of the environment, and that seek to unite people from diverse backgrounds. Similarly, I am committed to cultivating an inclusive scientific community. 

As an early career professional, I hope to continue developing a suite of skills that will allow me to approach increasingly complex and interrelated questions using a range of analytical and interdisciplinary techniques. The experiences and the skills I have gained throughout my scientific career have culminated in my desire to better understand the ways in which scientific research can guide policy decisions made at local, state, and federal levels, particularly with regard to coastal resilience.  Today’s environmental challenges cannot be solved by research, communication or policy alone, but by their synergy resulting in informed, inclusive, and adaptive decision making.