I am passionate about understanding how animals adapt to extreme and changing environments, and how ecological research can inform conservation and management of wildlife populations. I earned my B.S. in Biology with a minor in Environmental Science from Belmont University in 2016 and my M.Sc. in Biology from Central Washington University in 2018, where my thesis examined small mammal community dynamics at a wildlife crossing structure along Interstate 90 in Washington’s central Cascades. I have also contributed to projects on red squirrels in the Yukon, small mammal–butterfly interactions along the Oregon coast, and northern flying squirrels in the Oregon Cascades. Since joining the Epps Lab at Oregon State University in 2020, my Ph.D. research examines desert bighorn sheep in the Mojave Desert, focusing on how these animals adjust their behavior to cope with extreme heat and how factors like diet, water use, and space use shape those shifts. In addition to research, I am deeply committed to undergraduate education and mentorship. In 2024, I earned a Graduate Certificate in College and University Teaching (GCCUT) from OSU, which strengthened my theoretical foundation in adult education while equipping me with practical skills in teaching and mentorship.
When I’m not in the field or classroom, you’ll probably find me on a trail, at a concert, or exploring new restaurants—I value community, time in nature, and any excuse to get out and experience the Pacific Northwest.
