I consider myself a "scientific naturalist" as described by Doug Futuyma (and as introduced to me by Noah Whiteman): "I think of a scientific naturalist as a person with a deep and broad familiarity with one or more groups of organisms or ecological communities, who can draw on her knowledge of systematics, distribution, life histories, behavior, and perhaps physiology and morphology to inspire ideas, to evaluate hypotheses, to intelligently design research with an awareness of organisms' special peculiarities. Even more, perhaps, he is the person who is inexhaustibly fascinated by biological diversity, and who does not view organisms merely as models, or vehicles for theory but, rather, as the raison d'etre for biological investigation, as the Ding an sich, the thing in itself, that excites our admiration and our desire for knowledge, understanding, and preservation."

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 Non-traditional background

I completed my undergraduate degree in 2002, majoring in public relations and management.
After volunteering at Brooklyn Botanic Garden while taking night classes in botany at the New York Botanical Garden, I obtained a series of positions (and took a whole lot more night classes) that introduced me to evolutionary biology and genetics. My non-traditional background has made me adept at navigating new situations and explaining scientific concepts to the public.

Leadership skills

I currently serve as the Co-Chair for the Diversity Committee for the Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE). As the first grad student representative for SSE, I worked with Executive Council over a period of several years to create the Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC). 
    As a grad student, Mohamed Noor and I co-designed and co-taught a graduate course on professional development. This course has subsequently been expanded with the valuable input of several other graduate students.

Committed to outreach

I have worked with children from 7 - 17 years of age, in environments ranging from urban (Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment, Harlem Children Society), to suburban (Women And Mathematics, Durham, NC), and rural (Girl Scouts of the Silver Sage, serving Girl Scouts in eastern Oregon and Nevada and central Idaho). Currently I focus my outreach efforts on increasing and supporting diversity in science.

Background in botany

I am a former gardener with a deep interest in both horticulture and botany. Due to my botanical interest, my research currently focuses on a plant species complex that has proved taxonomically difficult. I also love rare and unusual plants, taxa exhibiting xeric or otherwise extreme adaptations, and unique floral morphologies. I seem to be one of only a few plant biologists who can also offer horticultural advice!

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The New York High Line, before development

Outside Salmon, Idaho

Fun with Girl Scouts