College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

I hold a joint appointment within the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (FW). In my primary role, I coordinate experiential learning and undergraduate research programs for Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center (CMERC) and the Michigan State Bird Observatory (MSBO). In my secondary role, I assist the FW Academic Programs team with programmatic needs, including administering the Glassen Undergraduate Experience. I am also involved in communications support and event planning for CMERC and FW.

During the 2023-24 academic year, I am serving as Chair of the CANR Staff Advisory Committee. 

Background:

After completing my undergraduate degree in biology, I worked as a Research Assistant in the Wildlife and Contaminants Program at World Wildlife Fund in Washington, DC. I completed my doctoral studies at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, VA, where my research focused on ovarian physiology of felids. Before joining the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at MSU in 2016, I served as Director of the Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior’s core research facility at Indiana University. I am broadly interested in student success, leadership development, and wildlife conservation.

Education:

Ph.D., Animal Sciences, University of Maryland (2007)

B.S., Biology, St. Mary's College of Maryland (1998)