I am a soon-to-be graduating Master's student from Austin Peay State University. I am passionate about research the questions we have about wildlife, and I like to teach others about the things we already know. My current work is on Herps, but I have enjoyed working with every taxa I have been lucky enough to do research on.
My current thesis project is on using an occupancy model framework to determine under what conditions are you most likely to find and detect a Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum), a species notoriously difficult to study due to its elusive nature.
I enjoy both research and teaching, so currently my ultimate career goal is a PhD so I can continue to do both at a higher level. However, I am always keeping my options open for permanent that I could settle into.
I am currently the curatorial assistant for the David Snyder Museum of Zoology at Austin Peay State University, with the organization, labeling, and preservation of thousands of specimens in my care.
I have extensive experience working with ArcGIS and Rstudio, including statistical analysis such as occupancy modeling, GLMs, Habitat Selection Analysis, and others.
I have a wide range of field work experiences. These experiences include small mammal trapping, large mammal camera trapping, large mammal foraging surveys (asian elephants), bird mist-netting and point counts, herp transect surveys, odonate and lepidoptera surveys, aquatic hoop and cage trap surveys, fish/crayfish seining, electo-fishing surveys, and more
While I have had numerous lab work experiences, my most recent was working as a research technician in an immunology lab studying Toxoplasma gondii under Dr. Americo Lopex-Yglesias at the Indiana University School of Medicine. My project studied the effects of a T. gondii infection on stem cell derived brain microvasular endothelial cells. Here is the pdf of the poster I presented at conference on my research
I have been tutoring in both 1 on 1 and group tutoring sessions throughout my academic career. In my undergrad I tutoring group sessions for both the university and department in various biology, statistics, and organic chemsitry classes. I have also worked as a naturalist or educational instructor for Camp Leopold outdoor education camp with the South Carolina Waterfowl Association where I tought students from grades K-12 about biology and natural resources.
