Raised on the Chesapeake Bay, I decided early in life to pursue a career in environmental science. It was during my undergraduate years at George Mason University that I decided to combine my love of the water with my career choice. After graduating with a BA in biology, I have spent the past 20 years working in and/or around water, even if that water was in a public aquarium!

 

I have utilized my role as Curator of Education Programs and Research at the Oklahoma Aquarium to connect with and educate millions of people about the importance and necessary conservation of our oceans and fresh water systems.

 

The decision to pursue a Ph.D. from OSU is due to a passion for discovery! There is little known about the functionality of bio-fluorescence so with my advisor Dr. Jennifer Grindstaff and her expertise in adaptive animal coloration and the research space offered by the Oklahoma Aquarium, I hope to find some answers!

 

To learn more about Dr. Grindstaff's lab click here!