About

About Me

Photo courtesy of Greg Heartsfield

I am a post-doctoral researcher in Dr. Joanna Kelley’s Lab at University of California Santa Cruz. Currently, I am studying the evolution and genomic mechanisms of hibernation in bears, with an emphasis on understanding the roles of regulatory sequence evolution in physiological adaptation. 

I completed my PhD in the lab of Dr. Todd Castoe at the University of Texas at Arlington, where I used functional genomics to study the mechanisms and evolution of extreme adaptations in snakes, including post-feeding regenerative organ growth and snake venom systems. Prior to that, I completed a B.S. in Zoology from The Ohio State University, during which I participated in undergraduate research in the lab of Dr. Lisle Gibbs and at the F.T. Stone Laboratory.

When I’m not doing science, I enjoy photography, playing music, hiking, and knitting. 

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Science is at its best when it includes, encourages, and celebrates diverse voices and perspectives. I am committed to working to increase diversity and equity in STEM and to overcome institutionalized biases in science and academia.