As a native of Michigan, I am deeply committed to Great Lakes research and conservation. I received my B.A. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Albion College in Albion, MI. My undergraduate honors thesis research characterized host-pathogen interactions, development, and behavior in Drosophila (Albertson et al., 2013) (Advisor: Dr. Roger Albertson). Through the Albion College Foundation for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity (FURSCA), I wrote and received two grants to continue this research over two summers at the University of California, Santa Cruz. My own positive experiences as an undergraduate student instilled in me a strong commitment to student mentoring and research. As a graduating senior, I was very grateful to receive the Lyman S. V. Judson Award for Outstanding Senior Biology Major and the President Peter T. Mitchell Lux Fiat Award for senior role models who excel in academic achievement, commitment to diversity, service to the Albion community, and campus involvement.

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To pursue my interest in marine science, I received my M.S. in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston. My thesis research characterized the sources, fate, and effects of microplastics in coastal ecosystems (Advisor: Dr. John Weinstein). Aquatic ecotoxicology research combined my interests in water quality, biology, chemistry, and environmental policy. Through my research and academics, I was very grateful to receive the College of Charleston Graduate Program in Marine Biology Outstanding Graduate Student Award. To further pursue my interests in aquatic ecotoxicology, I received my Ph.D. in Biology from the University of North Texas. My dissertation research characterized the impacts of oil spills on marine and freshwater fish and invertebrates (Advisor: Dr. Aaron Roberts). I was very grateful to be the inaugural recipient of the Bill Glaze Endowed Fellowship in Environmental Science. As a graduate student, I was also grateful for the opportunity to present my research at national and international conferences and to receive ten research presentation awards. In 2022, I was thankful to receive the Albion College Young Alumni Award for my research contributions as an early career scientist. I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University studying the effects of PFAS on Great Lakes fishes (Advisor: Dr. Cheryl Murphy). Moving forward, I hope to continue contributing to the field of aquatic ecotoxicology, with a focus on Great Lakes ecosystems.