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AboutI love trees and insects! My friends think I'm all about the bugs, but truly, it's how they impact the forests. Peel bark from a tree and you may find a variety of insects, fungi and whatever a camper left! It is amazing how tiny insects can impact vast forested landscapes.
I am a recent graduate student of the University of Colorado Denver in the Department of Integrative Biology at the Ragland Lab. I graduated from CU Denver with my master's degree in biology in May 2020 and my undergraduate degree in biology in May 2017. I really enjoy research and welcome any opportunity to share my science. I am currently studying Dendroctonus rufipennis, the spruce bark beetle. You may have seen their work in the upper elevation forests in Colorado. I plan to learn much more about them and find ways to help forest management along the way. Previously I've worked with Dendroctonus ponderosae, the mountain pine beetle. Read on for more information! |
I successfully defended my thesis and earned my master's degree in May 2020! I would not have been possible without the support of many others. I am especially grateful to my colleagues at the United States Forest Service (USFS) and my awesome lab at CU! My advisor nominated me for a college award and I am honored to have been selected as the College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Graduate Student for Spring 2020. How wonderful to be recognized by our Dean!
How did I get into research?
In 2015 I was honored to be selected to participate in the Research Experience for Community College Students (RECCS) through the Cooperative Institute for Research in in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). My host institution was the United States Geological Survey (USGS). My research project was Changes in Surface Fuels and Regeneration following the Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic in Ponderosa Pine Forests Along the Colorado Front Range. I presented my research at a symposium at University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) as well as an international fire ecology conference with the Association for Fire Ecology (AFE). Our project was even featured on the 5 o'clock news by 9 News!
After RECCS, I continued with USGS and have worked on a number of research projects primarily focused on Colorado forests. Most recently I worked with a citizen science project documenting biodiversity in our national parks. Now I work as a seasonal biological science technician with the United States Forest Service (USFS) in Forest Health Protection. I travel all over the state of Colorado studying our forest insects and tree diseases.
I currently volunteer with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science with the Girls and Science program and also their Urban Advantage program.
While I was at the Community College of Denver I volunteered for Rocket Day. This was funded by NASA as a part of the National Space Grant Program. We designed rockets for activities with local K-12 students in hopes of inspiring interest in science and engineering. It was so much fun!
In addition to my academic and volunteer experience, my professional experience includes healthcare, customer service, sales, and finance.
How did I get into research?
In 2015 I was honored to be selected to participate in the Research Experience for Community College Students (RECCS) through the Cooperative Institute for Research in in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). My host institution was the United States Geological Survey (USGS). My research project was Changes in Surface Fuels and Regeneration following the Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic in Ponderosa Pine Forests Along the Colorado Front Range. I presented my research at a symposium at University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) as well as an international fire ecology conference with the Association for Fire Ecology (AFE). Our project was even featured on the 5 o'clock news by 9 News!
After RECCS, I continued with USGS and have worked on a number of research projects primarily focused on Colorado forests. Most recently I worked with a citizen science project documenting biodiversity in our national parks. Now I work as a seasonal biological science technician with the United States Forest Service (USFS) in Forest Health Protection. I travel all over the state of Colorado studying our forest insects and tree diseases.
I currently volunteer with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science with the Girls and Science program and also their Urban Advantage program.
While I was at the Community College of Denver I volunteered for Rocket Day. This was funded by NASA as a part of the National Space Grant Program. We designed rockets for activities with local K-12 students in hopes of inspiring interest in science and engineering. It was so much fun!
In addition to my academic and volunteer experience, my professional experience includes healthcare, customer service, sales, and finance.