Statement of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community

I wholeheartedly embrace diversity in all forms and welcome everyone, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodivergence, ability, ethnicity, cultural background, or faith tradition. Our collective strength lies in our unity and that together, through collaborative and constructive efforts, we can forge a brighter future. As an educator, I recognize that each individual brings a unique and valuable perspective, and I am committed to continually learning from those I work with. My core values revolve around embracing diversity, striving for equity, and fostering inclusion within my community.

An evident lack of representation in ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation fails to reflect the true diversity of our nation and our world. To address this issue, I actively promote equity and inclusion by engaging in mentoring and outreach programs to increase access to higher education and broaden representation in STEM fields. I have collaborated with the Center to Advance Mentored, Inquiry-Based Opportunities (CAMINO) and the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars programs at UC Santa Cruz to recruit researchers from underrepresented student groups. These collaborations have been enriching, allowing me to grow personally and professionally as I learn from other cultures, experiences, and intersectionalities.

I acknowledge and express gratitude to the historical and current stewards of the lands where I reside, teach, and conduct ecological research, spanning from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Monterey Bay Area in California. I recognize that I am privileged to study the biodiversity of these lands. It is essential to acknowledge that my workplace is situated on the unceded territory of the Awaswas-speaking Uypi Tribe. Furthermore, I recognize the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, the descendants of indigenous people taken to missions Santa Cruz and San Juan Bautista during Spanish colonization of the Central Coast, is today working hard to restore traditional stewardship practices on these lands and heal from historical trauma.