ABOUT ME
I'm a Post-doctoral Research Assistant in the Cameron Lab at Purdue University. I am interested in using genomics to understand insect evolutionary history and adaptations. Outside of science, I love hiking in the mountains and capturing the beauty of insects through art. Please use the button below to access my full CV, read on to learn more about my research interests, or use the navigation menu above to see my relevant skills and examples of my artistic pursuits. Thanks for visiting!
Hiking in one of my favorite places, Glacier National Park.
Phylogenomic Conflict and Insect Evolutionary History
I have been using next-generation transcriptome sequencing to understand to evolutionary history of true bugs, thrips, and lice. Reconstructing the phylogenetic tree of these organisms has been historically difficult, and recent studies have found finding that strong support can be obtained for different topologies within these group depending on how data is analyzed. I am working to better understand why this is.
2010
Transylvania University
Bachelor of Arts, Biology
Biogeography and Ecological Evolution
I am using transcriptome and whole-genome sequencing to infer ancestral biogeographic ranges and ecological states in the hemipteran suborder Auchenorrhyncha. If you're not familiar with these fascinating animals, check out this infographic!
Comparative Genomics
I have recently become more interested in using comparative genomics to look at adaptation and gene flow in insects. Please contact me for information about my potential project ideas!
2016
Villanova University
Master of Science, Biology
2021
University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana
PhD, Entomology
Preventing Avian Window Collisions
Window collisions are the second leading cause of avian death and are estimated to kill as many as 988 million birds each year. The Graduate Students in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (GEEB) organization at UIUC is spearheading a project to determine which UIUC buildings pose a threat to birds and will apply for funds to mitigate this threat using long-lasting window decals. We plan to survey bird collisions before and after window decal application and hope to make our campus more bird-friendly!