Prior to starting graduate school at UW, Missouri had been home.  I grew up in St. Louis and eventually made the move to Columbia, Missouri where I attended the University of Missouri, receiving my BS in Biology.  During my time at Mizzou, I became involved in a savanna ecology lab. As a member of the lab I conducted a study on the effect of water limitation on carbon allocation in re-sprouting savanna trees. This research sparked my interest in understanding how natural landscapes will respond to increasing drought occurrences, and climate change in general.  Concurrently, I also worked as a research assistant in a soybean breeding lab.  Spending fall outside in the field hand-harvesting and spring cleaning seed, this experience introduced me to research within the agricultural sector. Prior to graduating, I spent a summer with the USDA-ARS researching the use of switchgrass as a biofuel source, specifically focusing on nitrous oxide flux rates within switchgrass and other perennial grass systems. 

I believe that this combination of experiences sparked my desire to bridge the gap between ecology and agriculture, leading me to pursue a masters’ in agroecology.  Currently my research interests are broad; my overarching goal is to conduct research that mitigates ongoing negative environmental changes as result of climate change and anthropogenic actions.  In addition, I have an interest in better understanding how to best utilize big data and eco-informatics within agriculture.