Biography

My childhood was spent watching spiders weave webs and scrabbling after cockroaches. My passion for insect behavior became my career when I studied Drosophila reproduction in the Masly lab at the University of Oklahoma. There I developed an interest in genomic influences in insect behavior. I am drawn to complex questions that require big data and pangenomic analysis to answer, which led me to pursue a master’s in bioinformatics from the University of Oregon. During my PhD in Zoology, I will study the domestication of black soldier flies (BSF), with a focus on behavioral differences across the pangenome. BSF are a key species in entomophagy and bioconversion efforts, which are important aspects of building a more sustainable future. In addition to my interest in environmental sustainability, I believe in improving access to education for all people. I want to work with museums and outreach initiatives to promote greater scientific literacy in the public. I also plan to work with mentorship and scholarship programs to lower the barriers to education for disenfranchised groups. Promoting the great minds among us, no matter where they come from, and encouraging all people to protect the environment we live in.

Previous Education

University of Oregon Biology 2024
University of Oklahoma Biology, Psychology Minor 2019