I earned my PhD from the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at the University of California Santa Barbara in 2020. My dissertation work broadly focused on human-wildlife dimensions in a variety of contexts. In the case of invasive species, my research brought together ecological and public opinion data to better manage invasive species. I study the biology of how species become invasive in an ecological context and use this to inform how we, as a society understand species to be "invasive". To answer these questions I focused primarily on vertebrate species in California, especially wild pigs (Sus scrofa). In the case of carnivores, I am interested in how humans determine the distribution and recovery of carnivore species in the US, particularly focused on the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos spp.). In both contexts, the coupled natural and human system of human coexistence with wildlife and the adaptation from both humans and wildlife are important for determining the persistence of wildlife populations. In 2014 I graduated with a Master's in Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School. My master's group project focused on developing a wild pig management plan for the Tejon Ranch Conservancy. Prior to that I worked as a scientific aide for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Biology from University of California Los Angeles.
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I am a landscape scientist for the California chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Based in Los Angeles, I currently provide science leadership to the Cities Program, with a focus on sustainable development and disaster resilience. Using both social science and ecological techniques, I work in collaborative teams to incorporate stakeholder feedback and science-based solutions to all of the work we do. We are currently working in partnership with the Southern California Association of Governments to develop a Greenprint - a conservation tool to aid in the sustainable growth of the region. I also seek to understand how nature-based solutions can help to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters caused by climate change. To learn more about my work, visit the TNC Science for Conservation webpage. To learn more about my past research, see my past research page.
My CV can be found here. |