Research Interests
I am a field ecologist, molecular biologist, and fine artist. My research asks questions with direct conservation applications while simultaneously contributing to our fundamental understanding of biology.
Right now, you can find me at the University of Nevada, Reno, in Dr. Jenny Ouyang’s lab, where I study how fatty acids affect fitness of Northern House Wrens nesting in urban versus natural habitats. In the spring and summer, you can usually find me at one of our many field sites in Reno, Nevada, recording data for our long-term system. In the fall and winter, you can find me in the lab deconstructing eggs, performing transmethylation reactions, and running Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.
Throughout my research career, I’ve maintained an enduring interest in avian microbiomes. Birds host enigmatic gut microbiomes which beg questions about the ecological and physiological factors contributing to microbiome development and maintenance. My various projects have introduced me to the full life cycle of microbiome research: sample collection, extraction optimization, sequencing, microbiome data analysis, and downstream physiological implications.
