My passion for ecology and conservation began long before it became a career. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a focus in Natural Sciences from Southern Oregon University in 2021, where I first gained experience in ecological research through an internship with the National Park Service's Klamath Inventory and Monitoring Network. My undergraduate thesis examined the impacts of wildfire on white pine blister rust infections in whitebark pine populations, combining my interests in field ecology, data analysis, and land management. These early experiences provided a foundation in ecological monitoring, botany, and restoration that continues to inform my work today.

While my career began in plant ecology, my primary passion has always been amphibians and reptiles. After completing the Master Herpetologist Program through the Amphibian Foundation, I joined research projects with the University of Arizona studying Gila monsters, snakes, and other Sonoran Desert reptiles. Through this work, I gained extensive experience in wildlife research, field crew leadership, and the study of how urbanization and land-use change impact wildlife populations. These opportunities ultimately led me to focus my career on the conservation of Sonoran Desert herpetofauna.

I helped establish the National Park Service's Anura Protocol for the Sonoran Desert Network, a multi-park amphibian monitoring program spanning eight National Park units across the Southwest. In this role, I authored standard operating procedures, coordinated field implementation, collaborated with park staff and project partners, and helped integrate citizen science opportunities into the program. By training community members in amphibian survey techniques and involving them directly in monitoring efforts, I worked to expand public participation in conservation while improving our understanding of amphibian populations across the region.

One of the most rewarding accomplishments of my career has been developing a Sonoran Desert toad conservation project with partners from the National Park Service and the University of Arizona. The project was developed to better understand threats facing Sonoran Desert toads and to advance research and conservation efforts for this iconic species. As part of this work, I successfully secured grant funding for my masters degree, as well as three years of on the ground work for Sonoran Desert toad conservation. This funding will support project implementation, research, and long-term conservation planning for Saguaro National Park. The project reflects my commitment to building partnerships that connect research, management, and community engagement to address emerging conservation challenges.

Currently, I serve as the Burned Area Rehabilitation Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, where I lead large-scale post-wildfire restoration and rehabilitation projects across public lands. My work focuses on restoring ecosystems affected by wildfire, coordinating interdisciplinary teams, and implementing projects that improve long-term ecological resilience. Across all of my work—from amphibian conservation and wildlife research to habitat restoration and public outreach—I am driven by a passion to protect the unique ecosystems of the Southwest while developing meaningful connections between people and the natural world.