Hometown: Rancho Cordova, CA

Undergraduate: B.S. in Biology (Marine) from Cal Poly Humboldt

During my undergrad at CP Hum (back when it was still Humboldt State University), I found that my interests lie mainly with invertebrate zoology, ecology, and evolution. I am fascinated by the ways in which the environment impacts the invertebrate community that lives there, as well as the ways in which the environment shapes the community, which has led me to investigate changes in community dynamics as results of anthropogenic impacts like ocean warming. In 2018, I conducted a study to test the differences in feeding rates of purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) on bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) in ocean warming scenarios. During the summer of 2019, I took a Marine Reptiles course at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo where we conducted weekly snorkel surveys to assess the proliferation of Fibropapillomatosis (FP), a tumor forming disease which was impacting a large proportion of the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) population in the region. I was also able to assist in the capture and tag of a nesting female Hawksbill turtle at Kamehame Beach, the most active Hawksbill turtle nesting beach in Hawai'i and the United States as a whole. This experience spurred my interest in sea turtles and inspired my current thesis research.

My Master's thesis work aims to understand the environmental drivers of Scyphozoan jellyfish blooms, particularly those of sea nettles (Chrysaora fuscescens), and how they may be impacting leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) presence along the central CA coast. I plan to rear sea nettles under both reduced and elevated temperature and food availability scenarios to understand how future conditions may influence sea nettle abundance. I will also be analyzing gelatinous zooplankton abundance data against leatherback sightings data to calculate correlations between them. Additionally, I plan to assess the caloric content of a handful of Scyphozoan jellyfish collected from Monterey Bay to understand leatherback foraging preferences.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing video games, sewing and crocheting, playing D&D, and hanging out with my cats Luna and Severus.