Journey So Far 

Headwaters 2026

06/05/2026

Developed an understanding of entrepreneurial thinking and the fundamentals of articulating business ideas.

2026 MN Cup Semifinalist Reception

06/03/2026

Participated in the MN Cup Semifinalist Reception, connecting with startup founders and exploring the regional innovation ecosystem.

ISABye 2026

05/21/2026

Celebrated the end of the academic year with ISAB, reflecting on a year of international student engagement and community building.

Cedar Creek Ecovaganza 2026

05/14/2026

Returned to Cedar Creek for wildlife observation and hands-on environmental education with school groups.

International Grad Students' Retreat 2026

03/12/2026

Explored leadership in multicultural academic contexts and built connections with international graduate students across disciplines.

Nature Journaling - Workshop 02 | Shapes & Stories

02/21/2026

Walked through the winter landscape to observe and document nature through shapes, patterns, and stories.

Goodbye to my dad

02/12/2026

Saying goodbye to my dad and holding space for his memory and influence in my life.

EEB Welcome Week 2026

01/28/2026

Welcome week for Brooklyn!

EEB 3412W, Animal Behavior

01/21/2025

New semester, new course to teach!

Researching, Reading, & Writing in the AI Era

01/15/2026

Explored effective strategies for helping students develop core skills in writing while thoughtfully integrating generative AI.

Designing AI-Aware Assignments

01/14/2026

Explored (re)designing assignments that work with gen AI while supporting learning goals.

Project Management 101 - day 01

01/14/2026

Starting from square one—learning how to plan smarter, stay organized, and keep projects moving without the chaos.

Back in the Cities

12/31/2025

Getting my ducks in a row and shaking off the jet lag

Vacation mode ON

12/11/2025

Where the air is fresh, the land is green, and every meal is rich with spice

Small World Coffee Hour

12/05/2025

Had the chance to represent ISAB and co-host the final SWCH of the fall semester

Inclusive STEM Teaching Project

12/03/2025

Gained experience with DEI concepts and explored instructor and student identities in STEM.

Goodbye EEB 3409-5409 | F25

12/08/2025

Teaching these students this Fall was a joy—may evolution continue to surprise them in all the best ways.

First Snow Storm of the Season

11/26/2025

Overnight, the world traded its colors for quiet glitter.

Creating impact with geospatial science: A conversation with Dr. Janet Franklin

11/19/2025

Got to listen to this amazing scientist and hear how her work approaches have evolved over time, and it left me feeling inspired about my work.

3MT Competition

11/14/2025

Attended the 3-Minute Thesis competition—left feeling inspired by the incredible presenters, and I’m excited to participate next year.

1/11 — Aurora Over Home

11/11/2025

Still in awe of the Northern Lights dancing right outside my home.

2025 Digital Accessibility Summit

11/03/2025

Attended a full day focused on creating more inclusive and accessible digital content supporting STEM learning.

Exploring Careers in Teaching at Diverse Higher Education Institutions

11/05/2025

Got to connect with first-gen UMN alumni who are now faculty members and learn about their journeys.

Evolvability | Developmental Basis for Evolvability, Mutational Robustness & Evolvability

11/03/2025

Looked at Evolvability through a different lens.

A Tribute to Jane Goodall (1934-2025)

10/28/2025

Honoring a remarkable life, I got to learn more about her inspiring journey as a scientist through her long-term collaborators—her curiosity, compassion, and courage continue to guide generations of conservationists.

Exploring Nature with Kids

10/25/2025

Started the day with kids, curiosity, and a dose of nature at Cibele’s treasure-hunting workshop.

Grading Season is back! | Evolution diaries

10/21/2025

Time flies so fast—we’re already midterm, and I’m back to grading!

Evolvability | Evolution of Evolvability

10/20/2025

How does evolution learn to evolve? Led our reading group discussion on the mechanisms shaping evolvability itself.

Nature Journaling - Workshop 02 | Colors & Changes

10/18/2025

Led the second workshop on observing fall colors and nature journaling, with great participation. 

Bridging Biodiversity - Compost Bin updates!

10/07/2025

Our first compost bin is installed, and the trial period has begun!

Backpacking | Superior Hiking Trail

10/03-05/2025

Took a pause from research and teaching to immerse in fall colors, adventure, and the simple joys of life.

Exam Season is here! | Evolution diaries

09/24/2025

Exams are in full swing, which means my nights belong to grading and red pens.

Nature Journaling - Workshop 01 | Finding Treasures

09/20/2025

Conducted the first of four nature journaling workshops—it was a joyful and inspiring start, full of curiosity and creativity.

Building with Biology | Interdisciplenary workshop

09/19/2025

Got connected with a lot of people & had conversations about interdisciplinary collaborations and community building

International Student Advisory Board

09/18/2025

1st meeting as a board member. I'm excited for what's coming! (and yes, we had cute cookies!)

Navigating different review types

09/18/2025

Learned about various review methodologies and other types of evidence syntheses. 

Research Project Management

09/17/2025

Gained more insights on project management, setting goals, execution, and closing.

The Research Presentation as Storytelling

09/11-12/2025

Gained more insights on crafting research talks by drawing on storytelling as the central translating device.

Evolution F25 

(EEB 3409-5409)

09/09/2025

Back in the lab, ready for a new semester and another adventure!

Evolvability: Fall25 Reading Group

09/07/2025

It was the first day of the Evolvability Reading Group. Presented on the historical context of the subject. 

Itasca EEB Retreat 2025

09/05/2025

Enjoyed connecting with incoming grad students while soaking in the calm and beauty of nature.

Banana Split Party | CTC

08/27/2025

Kicked off my role as a member of the program committee with sweetness and community.

COGS Welcome Week 2025

08/27/2025

One last adventure before the semester begins. Paddling, Sunshine, and networking.

2025 Teaching with Writing Workshop

08/28/2025

Dove deeply into Assigning and Assessing Student Writing

Midwest Population Genetics 2025

08/21-22/2025

Had a fantastic time filled with great talks, networking, and plenty of exciting population genetics!

Data Management Topics and Tools

08/19/2025

Examined best practices and challenges in managing data in scientific research, compliance, and long-term stewardship.

Building Bridges & Biodiversity

08/16/2025

Meet-n-Greet to the CTC community about the Spring 2025 IonE Mini Grants project

Annual Title IX and Hearing Panel Training

08/14/2025

Officially a Title IX hearing committee member - Learned about prohibited conduct and how to conduct a grievance process

Gemini @ UMN, Principles & Policies

07/17/2025

Got introduced to Gemini's capabilities and learned core principles and policies for its responsible use in academic work.

Pathways to Impact: Post-Graduation Career Paths

07/17/2025

Got introduced to diverse examples of impact, building connections, and creating supportive networks.

Rare, giant, and smells like something died

06/25/2025

Nope, not a metaphor for my week—just the corpse flower, and yes, it’s my third.

Dove into Population Forecasting

06/25/2025

Discussed the promises and pitfalls of forecasting endangered species through population models with the lab.

Mutualism: Art + Biology Symposium

06/13/2025

New tools in my teaching kit: art, sketches, and a whole lot of creativity.

Cedar Creek 2025 EcoExtravaganza 

05/15-21/2025

Taught teens how to model where species live—and how to really see the wild things around them.

Goodbye EEB 3409-5409 | S25

05/01/2025

Cheers to the S25 Evolution team—leaving with a full heart and fond memories.

I Passed my Prelim Exams!!!

03/21/2025

Finally crossed that milestone: I’m a doctoral candidate now! Feels surreal.

It's Pinned! I'm Excited - for Real!

03/14/2025

It's official! My prelim is in a week—spotted my name on the department board and smiled big.

Phylogenetic Comparative Methods 

03/13/2025

Quick phylogeny reboot with Jesús and Cibele—always good to sharpen those evolutionary lenses. 

ISSS Leadership Retreat 2025

03/07/2025

Selected for this year’s ISSS Leadership Retreat—learned, connected, and had a blast!

On My Way to Proctor Midterm Exams

03/05/2025

Snowstorm or not—off to proctor midterms like a true Minnesotan.

BTL 10th Anniversary Symposium

01/14/2025

Inspired by the legacy of BTL—where biology education meets research, innovation, and heart.

Goodbye EEB 3409-5409 | F24 

12/06/2024

Fall '24, you pushed through with grace. Honored to have taught such a resilient bunch. 

Weekend at Boundary waters 

09/29/2024

Drifted through the Boundary Waters under starlit skies and glowing northern lights—pure magic.

Written Prelim - Submitted!

09/10/2024

One milestone down: written prelim submitted and feeling proud!

Ed-Psych Moments in the Castle

09/03/2024

Falling for my School Psychology class—not just for the content, but the castle it’s held in.

It's Summer, and I am in Writing Mode!

08/05/2024

Lots of good things unfolding—and yes, I’m writing my prelim! 

Life is Nothing but a Cactus 

07/25/2024

Didn’t plan to linger, but Alexandra Carter’s piece had other ideas.

SEEDS/ESA GIS Workshop 2025

05/20-25/2024

From snow to sunshine—spent a week in Tallahassee for a GIS workshop full of growth and connection.

Visit to The Jones Center, at Ichauway

05/22/2024

Explored how fire keeps ecosystems healthy and how ESA satellites help us see the bigger picture.

Corpse Flower at Como Conservatory

08/18/2024

Couldn't miss the rare and stinky spectacle—a corpse flower in full, unforgettable bloom.

Field Visit to Cedar Creek Oak Savannahs

04/27/2024

Visited Cedar Creek to learn how prescribed fire shapes the vibrant, diverse life of oak savannas.

Goodbye EEB 3409-5409 | S24 

04/23/2024

In a blink, the semester ended—and I’ll truly miss this group of students.

Evolution S25 | EEB 3409-5409

02/01/2024

I’m happiest at the front of the classroom—especially when we’re talking evolution.

Two Weeks by the Sea | San Diego 

01/14/2024

James and I escaped to San Diego—ocean breeze, soft sand, and much-needed peace right at my feet.

Time Reminds Us to Keep Moving.

11/29/2023

Life changes with the seasons, and time flows on, quietly reshaping everything.

Mammalogy Diaries | EEB 4129 | F23

10/17/2023

Stuffed adults and baby mammals, some still unborn, displayed to tell stories of growth, survival, and beginnings.

Mammalogy Diaries | EEB 4129 | F23

10/03/2023

Bones and quizzes—for real learning. Just look closely at those dents and bumps!

Mammalogy Diaries | EEB 4129 | F23

09/05/2023

Buckle up—ready to take on this week and the ones ahead!

St Paul Small Mammal Survey 2023

08/03-05/2023

Surveyed the small but mighty—mice and friends of the urban wild at Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary

Meanwhile doing the Lit Search

04/29/2023

Something to activate the right side of my brain

Goodbye BIOL 1961 | S23

04/27/2023

Another good semester—great students, bright moments, lasting memories.

Foundations Diaries | BIOL 1961 | S23

04/16/2023

It’s spring—and I’m using a few streak techniques to summon spring(on agar, of course). 

Foundations Diaries | BIOL 1961 | S23

04/13/2023

Watching evolution unfold in a petri dish—nothing like seeing it live.

Looking for Owls & Wolves at Sax-Zim Bog 

02/25/2023

Escaped to Sax-Zim Bog for owls, grouses, snowdrifts, and glowing winter sunsets.

Foundations Diaries | BIOL 1961 | S23

02/14/2023

LOVE grew overnight—thanks to a steady hand and some E. coli.

Foundations Diaries | BIOL 1961 | S23

02/09/2023

From mammals to microbes—this semester is all about evolutionary change at the tiniest scale.

EEB Welcome Week 2023 -Time to Meet New People 

01/28/2023

Walked on a lake, watched pond hockey, made new friends, & survived -18°C—officially a Minnesotan now.

Foundations Diaries | BIOL 1961 | S23

01/24/2023

This week’s assignment: stare deeply into a heart… and count the beats.

Foundations Diaries | BIOL 1961 | S23 

01/19/2023

Life’s more colorful when the students nail the calculations.

Mammalogy Diaries | EEB 4129 | F22 

11/10/2022

Teaching was so fun, I had to save the scripts for keeps. 

EEB International Student Meet-up

11/09/2022

Global chat, local laughs—enjoyed an international discussion with friends this time.

EEB Fall Festival 2022 | Halloween

10/29/2022

Time for spooky treats, fireside chats, and gooey s’mores under the stars.

Mammalogy Diaries | EEB 4129 | F22

10/24/2022

Rodent week is here—they come in all shapes and sizes!.

Mammalogy Diaries | EEB 4129 | F22

09/29/2022

Geoff understood the task and aced the tarsal matching—skeletal success! 

Mammalogy Diaries | EEB 4129 | F22

09/22/2022

Skulls are fascinating—especially when they sport fancy teeth! (Crabeater Seal Skull)

Red & Grey Fox Encounter

09/17/2022

Met a couple of foxes up close and watched the collaring process in action.

Mammalogy Diaries | EEB 4129 | F22

09/16/2022

Celebrated Teeth Week by tracing every cusp and crest of an opossum’s tribosphenic molar.

EEB Foundations | Itasca Retreat 2022

09/10/2022

Walked through stories and history, and found myself at the birthplace of the Mississippi. 

Mammalogy Diaries | EEB 4129 | F22

09/09/2022

The semester begins—and so does teaching! Excited to dive back in.

Minnesota State Fair 2022

09/03/2022

At the State Fair—and of course I couldn’t resist the animal barn. Too cute to handle!

St Paul Small Mammal Survey 2023

07/30/2022

Caught and surveyed mice, and shared the science with the public at Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary.

Bell Museum Expeditions 2022

07/12/2022

From dissection table to public conversation—discussed research collections while examining otters. 

Corpse Flower at CBS Conservatory

07/01/2022

Saw the legendary corpse flower—one of nature’s rarest blooms and boldest aromas.

In the Bell mammal Collection

06/20/2022

Delicate work, real science—measuring skulls that fit in the palm of your hand.

Fieldwork at Cleary Lake Regional Park

06/17/2022

Sampling at Cleary Lake to help Geoff figure out what’s on the menu for local foxes and coyotes.

Cedar Creek Ecovaganza 2022

06/23-24/2022

It’s that time of year—working with school kids again, and this time we’re on the hunt for bugs!

Foundations Big Question Project

06/27/2022

Diving deep—asking how we can trust phylogenies to reflect evolutionary reality.

Cedar Creek Ecovaganza 2022

05/02-03/2025

Teaching about macro invertebrates —bugs, boots, & curious minds in the mud.

Mist-netting under spring skies

02/20/2022

Caught (and released) two adorable kinglets during mist netting for ornithology class.

Teaching Phylogenetics & Systematics 

03/28/2022

My week to teach Foundations! Explored how we trace and classify life history.

A Day at the Raptor Center

03/15/2022

Got up close with ambassador raptors—cute, fierce, and full of stories about conservation & care.

Made it to the Bell Museum at last

03/09/2022

Stood beneath a mammoth, met a polar bear, and wandered through a herd of bison (well, almost).

What Counts as an Adaptation?

03/04/2022

Led this week’s Foundations class - Nature of adaptations—what they are, and what they’re not.

Major Evolutionary Transitions 

02/07/2022

This week in Foundations—talking through the deep-time drama of evolutionary transitions.

Dissection Week in Ornithology

01/25/2022

Explored the inner workings of a Red-Tailed Hawk—equal parts science and awe.

Spent Winter Break in Chicago

Dec 2021

A windy, artsy, and very tasty winter break in Chicago—holiday magic with a chill.

Foundations Final Project - DONE! 

12/15/2021

It’s a wrap! For our final Foundations project, we studied patterns among herb species over time.

Red maples | Crisp Breeze | Quiet Magic 

11/04/2021

The red maples blaze, the breeze whispers—and I remember why I came to Minnesota. 

Fall Highlights - Pumpkin Wins!

10/23/2021

Songs by the fire, pumpkin guts on my hands, cider in my cup—first Fall magic with the department.

Golden Hike at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

10/17/2021

Split Rock in the fall—hiking under golden canopies with the lake sparkling beside me.

Apple-Picking Truths 101 (KP Version)

09/26/2021

They say love makes things sweeter. I say: try picking your own apple.

Golden Ginkgo Moment - Fall Magic 

09/22/2021

Waited for weeks, and the ginkgo answered in gold—sunlight woven into every leaf. 

Saw the Mississippi up close

09/16/2021

Went to see the Mississippi River—I'd say she’s huge, mighty, and full of stories.

Made it to My Dream College for the PhD

08/10/2021

A new chapter, a fresh notebook, and a heart full of excitement.