Investigate. Communicate. Lead.

As a college student at UNC Chapel Hill, I expanded my curiosity for science in environmental science and oceanography classes. I graduated with Highest Honors with a B.S. in Environmental Science and minors in Marine Science & Biology. At the University of Georgia, I completed a Ph.D. in Environmental Health Science as a NSF Graduate Research Fellow. Under Dr. Erin Lipp, I learned skills and methods in molecular biology, microbiology, ecology, SCUBA diving, teaching, and mentoring. Details can be found on the Lipp Lab website.

Through the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology, I participated in UNC Chapel Hill’s Department of Marine Science Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in biology research. In collaboration with Dr. Karl Castillo (UNC Chapel Hill) and Dr. Verena Schoepf (University of Amsterdam), I improved and implemented laboratory protocols, created and implemented a virtual laboratory platform for the Castillo Lab, scheduled lab member shifts in three separate labs as per COVID-19 department protocols, and supervised 3 graduate, 6 undergraduate and 1 high-schooler projects.

Currently, I am a Biology Instructor at the North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics, named #1 High-School in the nation by Niche.com. I teach 11th and 12th grade molecular genetics, evolution, bioinformatics, and molecular & cellular biology. My pedagogy highlights hands-on activities and original research.