Experience

Northwestern University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Assistant Professor

  • Sep 2015 - Present

  Investigating host-gut microbe relationships and their impacts on host nutrition and health in humans and non-human primates. Investigating host-gut microbe relationships and their impacts on host nutrition and health in humans and non-human primates.



University of Colorado Boulder

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Postdoctoral Research Associate

  • Sep 2013 - Aug 2015

  Continuing research on the relationship between host and gut microbes in non-human primates under Steve Leigh and Rob Knight. Continuing research on the relationship between host and gut microbes in non-human primates under Steve Leigh and Rob Knight.



University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Ph.D.

  • Aug 2008 - Jun 2013

  Studied the relationship between foraging behavior and gut bacteria in howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) under P.A. Garber. Funded by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, a National Geographic Waitt grant, and the University of Illinois. Studied the relationship between foraging behavior and gut bacteria in howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) under P.A. Garber. Funded by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, a National Geographic Waitt grant, and the University of Illinois.



Fulbright Garcia-Robles, National Geographic

• Fellow, Young Explorer

  • 2007 - 2008

  Spent a year comparing seed dispersal in two types of howler monkey (Alouatta palliata and Alouatta pigra) in Mexico under Alejandro Estrada. Spent a year comparing seed dispersal in two types of howler monkey (Alouatta palliata and Alouatta pigra) in Mexico under Alejandro Estrada.



Dartmouth College

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Honors Thesis Student

  • 2003 - 2007

  Worked as an intern in a molecular biology lab under C. Robertson McClung. Studied the evolution of the genes controlling circadian rhythms in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Earned high honors. Worked as an intern in a molecular biology lab under C. Robertson McClung. Studied the evolution of the genes controlling circadian rhythms in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Earned high honors.



WorldPoint

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Customer Service and Accounting Assistant

  • 2005 - 2006

  Organized and maintained customer accounts for international distributor of American Heart Association training materials. Worked specifically within the Latin America & Caribbean branch of the company, reconciling inventory, translating, and managing Spanish-speaking customers. Organized and maintained customer accounts for international distributor of American Heart Association training materials. Worked specifically within the Latin America & Caribbean branch of the company, reconciling inventory, translating, and managing Spanish-speaking customers.



Lincoln Park Zoo

• United States
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Behavioral Research Intern

  • 2004 - 2006

  Observed and recorded behavioral data from two groups of chimpanzees and two groups of gorillas in order to monitor social interactions and habitat use. Trained in focal individual observation and ethogram use. Created and maintained database containing behavioral data from entire center using Excel. Observed and recorded behavioral data from two groups of chimpanzees and two groups of gorillas in order to monitor social interactions and habitat use. Trained in focal individual observation and ethogram use. Created and maintained database containing behavioral data from entire center using Excel.



Shedd Aquarium

• United States
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Participant - High School Marine Biology Program

  • Jun 2001 - Aug 2001

  Selected to take intensive biology classes eight hours a day for two weeks. Participated in research trip aboard Shedd Research Vessel (R.V. Coral Reef II) Bimini, Bahamas. Completed independent research project in the field. Summarized results in a research paper and presented to over 200 people at Shedd Aquarium. Selected to take intensive biology classes eight hours a day for two weeks. Participated in research trip aboard Shedd Research Vessel (R.V. Coral Reef II) Bimini, Bahamas. Completed independent research project in the field. Summarized results in a research paper and presented to over 200 people at Shedd Aquarium.