Research and Teaching Philosophy
As a physiological ecologist (Ph.D., Marine Biology), I am fundamentally interesting in how environmental change affects organisms and their associated-microorganism communities. The majority of my research has focused on climate change, symbioses, and stable isotope biogeochemistry. My research program is multidisciplinary and spans coral reefs, wetlands, montane forests, and alpine lake ecosystems.
While still marine centered, I have expanded my research questions to non-marine systems. In my postdoctoral research I have studies plant-fungi microbial networks and used spatially-explicit stable isotope models (isoscapes) to model nutrient cycles in forests. Most recently, I have explored how plant and zooplankton-associated microbiomes influence host physiology, stress resistance, and evolution to changes in food quality.
While still marine centered, I have expanded my research questions to non-marine systems. In my postdoctoral research I have studies plant-fungi microbial networks and used spatially-explicit stable isotope models (isoscapes) to model nutrient cycles in forests. Most recently, I have explored how plant and zooplankton-associated microbiomes influence host physiology, stress resistance, and evolution to changes in food quality.
SCIENCE RESEARCH
My research utilizes a combination of field ecology and laboratory experimentation to test hypotheses on the impacts of environmental stress on holobionts (host, symbionts, associated microbes). In my work I use physiological, genetic, and biogeochemical techniques including stable isotope analyses.
My postdoctoral research has focused on environmental microbiome assemble and the influence of microbial partners on host performance in alpine lake zooplankton (Dr. Jonathan Shurin, University of California San Diego) and terrestrial plants (Dr. Nicole Hynson, University of Hawai'i). My prior M.Sc. and Ph.D. research on tropical reef corals focused on thermal stress and post-stress recovery, ocean acidification, nutritional plasticity, symbiont community composition, and biomass energetics. In this work, I collaborated with academics and government agencies at the state and federal level.
TEACHING INSTRUCTION
I am an Adjunct Professor at Santa Monica College and California State University-Dominguez Hills, where I teach non-majors marine biology and special topics in environmental science. As a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (2013-2019) I served as an affiliate instructor with the UH Center for Teaching Excellence. I also served as a Teaching Assistant in Biology, Marine Biology, and Oceanography, where I taught introductory biology and oceanography laboratories; served as a teaching assistant in a capstone undergraduate seminar and a grad student early-career development course. In addition, I have led seminars for student and faculty on reproducible science in R and GitHub to support my departments and peer education.
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION and MENTORSHIP
I work with students and communities "beyond the microscope" by using engaging, interactive learning tools including photography, videos, and photogrammetry to bring science to life. In collaboration with the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization Laboratories I have worked on adapting cutting-edge interactive learning tools that can be applied in community education and outreach activities and in classrooms ranging from primary school through the university level. I am active in undergraduate and graduate student mentorship and I contribute to my community through service as a volunteer, mentor, and guest speaker for K-12 STEAM education.
My research utilizes a combination of field ecology and laboratory experimentation to test hypotheses on the impacts of environmental stress on holobionts (host, symbionts, associated microbes). In my work I use physiological, genetic, and biogeochemical techniques including stable isotope analyses.
My postdoctoral research has focused on environmental microbiome assemble and the influence of microbial partners on host performance in alpine lake zooplankton (Dr. Jonathan Shurin, University of California San Diego) and terrestrial plants (Dr. Nicole Hynson, University of Hawai'i). My prior M.Sc. and Ph.D. research on tropical reef corals focused on thermal stress and post-stress recovery, ocean acidification, nutritional plasticity, symbiont community composition, and biomass energetics. In this work, I collaborated with academics and government agencies at the state and federal level.
TEACHING INSTRUCTION
I am an Adjunct Professor at Santa Monica College and California State University-Dominguez Hills, where I teach non-majors marine biology and special topics in environmental science. As a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (2013-2019) I served as an affiliate instructor with the UH Center for Teaching Excellence. I also served as a Teaching Assistant in Biology, Marine Biology, and Oceanography, where I taught introductory biology and oceanography laboratories; served as a teaching assistant in a capstone undergraduate seminar and a grad student early-career development course. In addition, I have led seminars for student and faculty on reproducible science in R and GitHub to support my departments and peer education.
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION and MENTORSHIP
I work with students and communities "beyond the microscope" by using engaging, interactive learning tools including photography, videos, and photogrammetry to bring science to life. In collaboration with the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization Laboratories I have worked on adapting cutting-edge interactive learning tools that can be applied in community education and outreach activities and in classrooms ranging from primary school through the university level. I am active in undergraduate and graduate student mentorship and I contribute to my community through service as a volunteer, mentor, and guest speaker for K-12 STEAM education.
