Production Assistant and Talent

• Oct 2021 - Present

Pest Specialist

• Mar 2020 - Present

Using biology to improve public health. At NOMTRCB, we use integrated pest management and a scientific approach to control and understand urban pest dynamics on a city-wide scale. My current duties include the following:-designing and coordinating public outreach on mitigating interaction with disease vector organisms- extension events to educate stakeholders, citizens, and pest control professionals of different sectors on cutting edge research and vector control strategies- research technician/ data handler for projects in urban entomology and rodentology- general science communication via social media and broadcasts on wildlife and pest management- data-driven abatement of injurious species in public spaces- volunteer and new hire coordination and training

Entomologist

• Aug 2019 - Mar 2020

Engaged with the public to educate and entertain on the wonderful world of insects. Drawing inspiration from our extensive live collection, cutting edge research, pedagogical techniques, and global trends in scientific communication, our team educated nearly half a million visitors each year in the largest insect museum in North America. Hundreds of topics included hands on demonstrations, entomophagy, evolution and ecology of insects, local pests, and insects in human culture. Engaged with the public to educate and entertain on the wonderful world of insects. Drawing inspiration from our extensive live collection, cutting edge research, pedagogical techniques, and global trends in scientific communication, our team educated nearly half a million visitors each year in the largest insect museum in North America. Hundreds of topics included hands on demonstrations, entomophagy, evolution and ecology of insects, local pests, and insects in human culture.

Education Volunteer

• Mar 2019 - Aug 2019

Assisted with day camps and events designed to educate young scientists ages 4-14 about insects, biology, and science in general. Designed and guided experiments and field excursions in bug behavior and ecology, guided lessons on insects in art, history, and human culture, and gave a special presentation on beetles. Also performed regular husbandry of the insectarium's extensive living insect and arthropod collection. Assisted with day camps and events designed to educate young scientists ages 4-14 about insects, biology, and science in general. Designed and guided experiments and field excursions in bug behavior and ecology, guided lessons on insects in art, history, and human culture, and gave a special presentation on beetles. Also performed regular husbandry of the insectarium's extensive living insect and arthropod collection.

Graduate Student and Teaching Assistant

• Aug 2015 - Mar 2019

My research characterizes selection on and environments driving animal weapon morphology. I have conducted fieldwork in Taiwan and several islands of Japan to collect an extensive dataset on morphology and behavior of the Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle. I acquired extensive skills in public speaking, presenting, and scientific communication, both for fellow scholars and to the general public, including features on NPR and annual seminars. For a complete list of my scientific publications, please refer to my Google Scholar profile below. Publication scheduled for the final issue of Evolution 2020.

Undergraduate Researcher

• Aug 2012 - May 2015

Worked with Dr. Matthew Moran and other undergraduate students on projects involving the identification of current and past dispersers of anachronistic fruits in North America, including large mammals.

Student

• Aug 2011 - May 2015

Took advantage of the strong biology department and scientific mentorship at Hendrix College to tailor course and labwork in a general Biology degree around evolutionary processes and current literature in evolutionary biology across a wide range of taxa and disciplines. Participated in several lab groups within and outside of Hendrix College and gained valuable experience in research, scientific writing, outreach, and STEM career development. Incorporated international components to broaden education: took hands-on courses in Tropical Biology and Central American land management through the Hendrix-in-Costa Rica semester; conducted in-depth comparative studies of tropical and temperate ecosystems through Field Ecology in Arkansas and Costa Rica; participated in an ISEP semester for immersion in Italian language and culture, with coursework in and taught by experts of design and media development in Milan.

Herbarium Technician

• Aug 2012 - Apr 2015

Field Research Assistant

• Jun 2014 - Aug 2014

Under Dr. Corinne Richards-Zawacki of Tulane, conducted field observations and experiments investigating the role of male display behavior, female mate choice, and male-male competition in differing color morphs of the Strawberry Poison Dart Frog (Oophaga pumilio). Under Dr. Corinne Richards-Zawacki of Tulane, conducted field observations and experiments investigating the role of male display behavior, female mate choice, and male-male competition in differing color morphs of the Strawberry Poison Dart Frog (Oophaga pumilio).

NSF REU Researcher

• May 2012 - Aug 2012

Worked with REU mentor Dr. Corlett Wood to develop and conduct an original study investigating selection on condition- dependent, sexually selected weapons in multiple life stages of the Forked Fungus Beetle (Bolitotherus cornutus). Worked with REU mentor Dr. Corlett Wood to develop and conduct an original study investigating selection on condition- dependent, sexually selected weapons in multiple life stages of the Forked Fungus Beetle (Bolitotherus cornutus).