I grew up in the Blue Ridge region of the Appalachians in North Carolina, and I still have not found the end of my love for mountains. Although I am now interested in questions about the ecology of a variety of taxa, I cannot deny that I was fascinated with catching “hoppy toads” (as my brother and I called them) when I was a kid.

My B.S. studies on the east coast were focused in ecology and conservation biology. From 2010-2013, I worked mostly on my bird and plant ID skills in California, but I've worked with most major taxa in the animal kingdom at this point. I've completed 2 Master's degrees in landscape ecology and wildlife ecology and conservation.