Current Appointment
Research Scientist (Jul. 2020 - present)
Puget Sound Institute, Tacoma, WA Mentors: Drs. Tessa Francis & Phil Levin |
Qualitative and quantitative modeling of the Puget Sound social-ecological system to support Washington state ecosystem recovery decisions. Project Fellow for the Puget Sound Integrated Modeling Framework. Active member of the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program Modeling Workgroup and Puget Sound Partnership Future Scenarios Project Advisory Group.
About me
I hail from southern Indiana and have always loved the water. Despite (or perhaps because of) growing up 800 miles from the ocean, I became fascinated with marine ecosystems and am interested in developing creative solutions to the pressures they face. I thrive in synergistic and collaborative settings and bring an interdisciplinary perspective on complex social-ecological systems. Currently, my work focuses on three main areas of scholarship: ecosystem services of coastal wetlands, transdisciplinary coastal/marine science, and social-ecological modeling.
Past Professional Appointments & Research Experience
Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellow (Jan 2020 – Jun 2020)
South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Charleston, OR
Doctorate research fellowship investigating the drivers and consequences of eelgrass and macroalgae declines in Pacific Northwest coastal estuaries, highlighting the feedbacks with hypoxia and ocean acidification.
National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Fellow (Sept 2017 – Sept 2018)
Risk and Uncertainty Quantification in Earth Systems Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Transdisciplinary graduate minor and collaborative research evaluating the impact of changing ocean conditions on Pacific Northwest Dungeness crab distribution and the commercial fishing industry through the coupled human-natural system lens.
ORISE Participant (Jan 2015 – Dec 2015)
U.S. EPA, Pacific Coastal Ecology Branch, Newport, OR
Synthesis project evaluating the development and adoption of numeric nutrient criteria for estuarine and coastal waters, including the effectiveness of nutrient management. Mentors: Cheryl Brown & Lauri Ruiz-Green
Graduate Research Assistant (Aug 2012 – Dec 2014)
University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Sciences, Morehead City, NC
Thesis research assessing land development impacts on nutrient and carbon loading to coastal headwater streams, associated changes in net ecosystem metabolism, and implications for estuarine water quality.
Student Contractor (Jun 2010 – Jun 2012)
U.S. EPA, Pacific Coastal Ecology Branch, Newport, OR
Investigated the capacity of salt marsh wetlands to remove nutrients from estuarine waters across multiple spatial scales using a new field chamber methodology. Mentor: Ted DeWitt
Research Technician (Jul 2009 – Nov 2009)
Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
In-lake mesocosm field study of zooplankton predator-prey interactions and effect on the spread of fungal pathogens. Mentor: Spencer Hall
National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Intern (Jun 2008 – Aug 2008)
Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR
Estuarine field study of introduced isopod parasite recruitment and growth in burrowing shrimp. Mentors: John Chapman and Brett Dumbauld
South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Charleston, OR
Doctorate research fellowship investigating the drivers and consequences of eelgrass and macroalgae declines in Pacific Northwest coastal estuaries, highlighting the feedbacks with hypoxia and ocean acidification.
National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Fellow (Sept 2017 – Sept 2018)
Risk and Uncertainty Quantification in Earth Systems Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Transdisciplinary graduate minor and collaborative research evaluating the impact of changing ocean conditions on Pacific Northwest Dungeness crab distribution and the commercial fishing industry through the coupled human-natural system lens.
ORISE Participant (Jan 2015 – Dec 2015)
U.S. EPA, Pacific Coastal Ecology Branch, Newport, OR
Synthesis project evaluating the development and adoption of numeric nutrient criteria for estuarine and coastal waters, including the effectiveness of nutrient management. Mentors: Cheryl Brown & Lauri Ruiz-Green
Graduate Research Assistant (Aug 2012 – Dec 2014)
University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Sciences, Morehead City, NC
Thesis research assessing land development impacts on nutrient and carbon loading to coastal headwater streams, associated changes in net ecosystem metabolism, and implications for estuarine water quality.
Student Contractor (Jun 2010 – Jun 2012)
U.S. EPA, Pacific Coastal Ecology Branch, Newport, OR
Investigated the capacity of salt marsh wetlands to remove nutrients from estuarine waters across multiple spatial scales using a new field chamber methodology. Mentor: Ted DeWitt
Research Technician (Jul 2009 – Nov 2009)
Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
In-lake mesocosm field study of zooplankton predator-prey interactions and effect on the spread of fungal pathogens. Mentor: Spencer Hall
National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Intern (Jun 2008 – Aug 2008)
Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR
Estuarine field study of introduced isopod parasite recruitment and growth in burrowing shrimp. Mentors: John Chapman and Brett Dumbauld
Teaching & Mentoring Experience |
Mentor Graduate Teaching Assistant (Sept 2019 – Jun 2020)
Mentored 30 GTAs of the Oregon State University Principles of Biology lab courses and assisted with development and implementation of a 3 credit GTA professional development course.
Certificate in Teaching and Learning (Sept 2018 – Jun 2019)
Participated in eight Oregon State University Center for Teaching and Learning workshops designed to enhance instructional techniques through an understanding of research-based teaching practices.
Graduate Teaching Assistant (Jan 2016 – Jun 2019)
Principles of Biology (BI211, BI212, BI213). Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
Marine Biology & Ecology (BI450). OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR.
Mentored 30 GTAs of the Oregon State University Principles of Biology lab courses and assisted with development and implementation of a 3 credit GTA professional development course.
Certificate in Teaching and Learning (Sept 2018 – Jun 2019)
Participated in eight Oregon State University Center for Teaching and Learning workshops designed to enhance instructional techniques through an understanding of research-based teaching practices.
Graduate Teaching Assistant (Jan 2016 – Jun 2019)
Principles of Biology (BI211, BI212, BI213). Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
Marine Biology & Ecology (BI450). OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR.