Background
My interest in landscape and aquatic ecology stems from a childhood spent along the banks of the Sugar Creek in Charlotte, North Carolina, surrounded by the fields and forests of what was the John Spring Myers farm. The freedom to explore my natural surroundings, coupled with summers spent in the Pisgah National Forest, an outstanding middle school Biology teacher, and the stellar science museums of Charlotte were extremely influential in guiding me on a career in the natural sciences.
Early formative experiences in nature sent me down an exciting and winding path towards a profession in science. Along the way, I have interned with wetland conservation organizations, volunteered as a parks biologist with the US Peace Corps in Bulgaria, worked as a biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and researched land use and climate change effects on sensitive cave stream ecosystems. I completed my doctorate degree in Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech investigating seasonal water quality and socio-ecological couplings between humans, climate, fish and wildlife in the Chobe River region of northern Botswana, a vital dryland water source. Currently, as an associate for research, teaching faculty, and Environmental Dynamics Program (ENDY) affiliate with the USGS Cooperative Research Unit at the University of Arkansas, I study basic and applied questions related to freshwater conservation and the biological, physiochemical, and spatiotemporal processes that shape aquatic ecosystems across a range of biomes.
The overarching goal of my research is to improve our knowledge and understanding of complex interactions among physical, biological, and social processes that drive ecosystem responses to global change. I focus on the effects of environmental change on wildlife, plant, and human populations using quantitative approaches. I combine intensive field work, cutting-edge modeling tools, and interdisciplinary collaborations to study coupled human and natural systems across varying spatiotemporal scales, and work closely with management and conservation groups to develop pragmatic and effective actions.
Early formative experiences in nature sent me down an exciting and winding path towards a profession in science. Along the way, I have interned with wetland conservation organizations, volunteered as a parks biologist with the US Peace Corps in Bulgaria, worked as a biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and researched land use and climate change effects on sensitive cave stream ecosystems. I completed my doctorate degree in Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech investigating seasonal water quality and socio-ecological couplings between humans, climate, fish and wildlife in the Chobe River region of northern Botswana, a vital dryland water source. Currently, as an associate for research, teaching faculty, and Environmental Dynamics Program (ENDY) affiliate with the USGS Cooperative Research Unit at the University of Arkansas, I study basic and applied questions related to freshwater conservation and the biological, physiochemical, and spatiotemporal processes that shape aquatic ecosystems across a range of biomes.
The overarching goal of my research is to improve our knowledge and understanding of complex interactions among physical, biological, and social processes that drive ecosystem responses to global change. I focus on the effects of environmental change on wildlife, plant, and human populations using quantitative approaches. I combine intensive field work, cutting-edge modeling tools, and interdisciplinary collaborations to study coupled human and natural systems across varying spatiotemporal scales, and work closely with management and conservation groups to develop pragmatic and effective actions.