United States
Behavioral and evolutionary ecologist, as well as an experienced research technician, currently attending Florida Atlantic University as a doctoral candidate. I have 8 years of wildlife husbandry skills and inputting data from conducting breeding bird surveys for state and non-profit organizations. Currently, I am investigating both environmental and social factors that can contribute to the complexity of animal vocalizations, focusing on songs in passerines. I am using a multi method computational approach to better visualize and quantify fine scale variations in animal vocalizations. In addition, I am also investigating how different individual qualities of animals predict certain features of complexity in their vocalizations. Finally, I am examining how different environmental features shape song type sharing and distribution within a population of songbirds.
Lecture and teach 300 undergraduate students on various biological topics, including cell biology, anatomy and physiology, ecology and evolution, and introduction to scientific research
Lead a team of 24 graduate teaching assistants, overseeing their training and performance. Develop and enhance curriculum for life sciences laboratories, ensuring alignment with educational standards. Conduct training sessions on effective presentation skills and innovative teaching methods. Ensure teaching assistants possess in-depth knowledge of life science topics and laboratory procedures, facilitating successful experiment setup and execution by undergraduates. Foster a collaborative and supportive teaching environment, promoting academic excellence and continuous improvement.
Labs and courses that I have either taught or assisted teaching. -Life science lab (Fall 2020- Spring 2024) -Biodiversity lab (Summer 2025) -Field ornithology lab (Summer 2021) -Behavioral ecology (Spring 2021)
Collaborated with PhD candidates, post-doctoral researchers, and an animal lab technician supervisor on various research projects, focusing on husbandry and life support monitoring for study organisms, including axolotls, African-clawed frogs, and flatworms. Key responsibilities involved water quality testing, feeding, cleaning, and maintaining aquarium systems. Proactively addressed and resolved technical issues with the aquarium systems, ensuring the well-being of the organisms and the smooth operation of research activities.
Collaborated with a post-doctoral researcher to lead a study on the acoustic transmission of avian vocalizations, specifically examining how habitat influences the acoustic structure of long-billed hermit vocalizations and its role in promoting cultural evolution. Developed expertise in preparing scientific presentations with preliminary results and drafting a manuscript ready for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. This experience honed my skills in scientific communication, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.
Responded to wild animal distress calls from concerned citizens in the tri-county area, rescuing and disentangling seabirds caught in fishing equipment, and aiding injured and trapped native mammals, reptiles, birds, and marsupials. Collaborated with veterinarians to perform on-site triage and stabilization of patients before clinic transfer. Maintained up-to-date certifications and accreditations required for job duties. This role honed my skills in wildlife rescue, emergency response, and collaborative veterinary care.