A Bit About Me

I am a Research Associate in the Department of Integrative Biology at Oregon State University, where I study how environmental and evolutionary histories interact to shape complex organismal traits. My work takes an integrative approach, combining physiology, molecular biology, experimental evolution, and multi-omic techniques across diverse biological systems.

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My path to academia was not a traditional one. I began higher education as a high school dropout and young parent, first attending community college before transferring to Oregon State University. Along the way, I became deeply involved in both research and teaching and eventually continued into graduate school.

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I earned my PhD in Integrative Biology from Oregon State University and was supported as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow. That path continues to shape how I approach science, teaching, mentorship, and efforts to create opportunities for students who may not initially see themselves as belonging in academic or research environments.

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My life centers around my family, my research, and my role as an educator.

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It's a pretty great life.