About Me

I started my grad career in January, 2021, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in the Collaborative Conservation Genetics Laboratory. My graduate research focused on evaluating the use of eDNA metabarcoding for early detection of aquatic invasive species. I was first exposed to eDNA during my undergrad at Saint Vincent College where I used eDNA to assess fish communities in restored and unrestored streams.

 

Although I've always envisioned myself as a field biologist, I developed a passion for eDNA and other conservation genetics tools. I defended my thesis and graduated in May, 2026, and accepted a post-doc position at Washington State University and the USGS Pacific Northwest eDNA Laboratory in Boise, ID. My current research includes incorporating eDNA methods into a native and invasive aquatic species monitoring program at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. I'm also working on pioneering new quantitative eDNA metabarcoding methods that coud provide reliable estimates of fish abundance.

 

I hope to continue in the field of conservation genetics and use eDNA and other genetics tools (e.g. eRNA, Rad-Seq) to improve conservation efforts. I hope to continue academic research and be a college professor someday.

 

While I throughly enjoy my area of research, I also have passions outside of academic research. First is my passion for teaching. I've TA'd several classes at UIUC and at Saint Vincent College, including even designing my own field methods course on the use of eDNA for conservation. I also believe strongly in the friendships and community that you build during grad school which has led me to become president of ​my department's graduate student association.

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