Welcome to my website! Here's a little about me:
Why are species found where they are? Human actions must now be considered when answering this classic question in ecology. In my research, I seek to understand what traits (natural history, behavior) and abiotic factors (acoustic space) influence why some species are more tolerant to disturbance than others. I mainly do so in forest-agricultural systems throughout Ecuador. I am proud to be a National Geographic Explorer and a Senior Researcher at Third Millennium Alliance/Jama-Coaque Reserve, which works to protect one of the most endangered rainforests in the world (the Ecuadorian Pacific Forest) through preservation and community regenerative agroforestry. I have also done fieldwork in Madagascar, the Philippines, Australia, Borneo, Honduras, Peru, Costa Rica, & Kenya.
I absolutely love to teach, both in the classroom and in the field! I have experience developing and teaching my own full-semester and study abroad courses. No matter where I'm working, I strive to inspire those around me to enjoy and protect the natural world, especially through community outreach and mentorship. I also do my best to share ecological knowledge with policy makers (I was once an environmental policy analyst myself).
I am the Program Director at Amphibian Ark, a conservation NGO that helps threatened amphibians via facilitation of Conservation Needs Assessments (a step that occurs during or post IUCN Red Listing to identify conservation actions for a species) and temporary ex situ measures as necessary.
I am a proud member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SCC) and Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG).
I also do consulting work for individuals and institutions. I specialize in ecological fieldwork and writing/editing.
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Education:
PhD in Conservation Ecology | University of California, Berkeley MSc in Animal Behavior | Cornell University MPA in Environmental Policy | Columbia University BA in English Literature, magna cum laude | Cornell University |
Selected Fellowships & Grants:
AAUW Dissertation Fellowship | 2021 National Geographic Explorer Grant | 2019 National Science Foundation GRFP | 2014-2019 USAID Global Development Fellowship | 2017 |
