About Me

I am a 3rd-year Ph.D. candidate at Cornell University in the Department of Entomology, where I work in Dr. Corrie Moreau's lab. My research focuses on how residential segregation and environmental injustice impact insect adaptation and biodiversity in urban ecosystems. By combining molecular tools with ecological data, I aim to uncover the genetic and phenotypic shifts in wildlife driven by human-induced environmental changes. I’m passionate about using science to highlight how social issues intersect with ecological and evolutionary processes to better our future cities.

In 2020, I helped co-founded Queen City Pollinator Project (QCPP) with Carrie Driehaus and Dr. Jenny O'Donnell. Our non-profit is dedicated to supporting pollinator health through community engagement, education, and urban gardening. We have planted rooftop beehives, taught environmental science classes across Cincinnati schools, transformed vacant lots into pollinator-friendly gardens, and partnered with local organizations to protect Cincinnati’s pollinator ecosystems. QCPP's mission is to inspire others to take action for the environment, and our work has been featured in a PBS documentary, podcasts, and local educational programs.

I also actively engage in science communication, sharing my research and passion for biodiversity through various media. I have been featured in podcasts like Carol Mundy’s The Crow Knows and the We Out Here podcast. I have hosted presentations about the importance of urban ecosystems and been featured in a four-part PBS series, The Bugs That Rule The World, about the importance of insects in our global ecosystem. Communicating science to the public is one of my greatest passions, and I am committed to exploring the intersection of science, communication, and advocacy.