Research philosophy

As a scientist, I am driven to establish collaborative teams that span multiple disciplines to create policy built on evidence-based understanding of human ecosystems. Policy is our best tool to make change, but it must be informed by and flexible to the realities of the ecosystems we depend on. My guiding principles are 1) respect people and environment, 2) challenge your assumptions, and 3) listen to the data! My passion for field work and natural history makes me a natural proponent for place-based ecology. Through an understanding of ecosystem processes occurring at multiple scales of organization within a specific environment, I hope to improve our collective ability to support healthy ecosystem function now and in the future.

My focus on observation and natural variability presents many opportunities for teaching and mentoring. I strive to become a better teacher and make every effort to include developing researchers in my work. I am committed to my communities and work hard to create a fun, productive environment built on respect, humility, and compassion.