Science Policy Fellow

• Aug 2022 - Present

As a science policy fellow, I focus on building content for our Civic App that aims to better connect scientists to North Carolina lawmakers. This platform allows scientists and engineers at any level to learn how to engage with policymakers in different branches of government while also getting examples of what engagement looks like at each point of the lawmaking process. As a science policy fellow, I focus on building content for our Civic App that aims to better connect scientists to North Carolina lawmakers. This platform allows scientists and engineers at any level to learn how to engage with policymakers in different branches of government while also getting examples of what engagement looks like at each point of the lawmaking process.

Principal Scientist of the UNCG Bird-Window Collision Project

• Feb 2021 - Present

I am the principal investigator alongside my colleagues Melanie Stadler and Kerri Rosato at UNC Greensboro in studying how often and where birds collide with windows on our campus. In Spring 2022, we received funding from the UNCG Green Fund to help offset the costs of labor and supplies needed to start this project. We have continued success training new student volunteers, identifying problem buildings, and growing support from campus administrators. You can learn more about this project by reading this recent article from UNCG! Follow our iNaturalist page to see window strike victims and where they strike on campus.

Microbial Ecology and Evolution, Gut Microbiome Graduate Student Researcher

• May 2018 - Present

Co-Founder and President of Spartans for Science and Policy (SSP)

• Sep 2019 - 2022

A student group focused on providing training and professional development opportunities for students to directly engage in science policy and advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels. We are a chapter of the National Science Policy Network in the Southern Hub and are comprised of both undergraduate and graduate students at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University.

Policy Entrepreneurship Fellow

• Apr 2022 - Nov 2022

I built a policy portfolio on the need for stronger, more science-backed regulations for probiotics and prebiotics for agricultural animals, specifically honey bees. This work stems from my Ph.D. research on the honey bee gut microbiome. It has propelled me to use these ideas to tackle challenges that will protect consumers and animals from products with largely unsupported claims of health benefits. I built a policy portfolio on the need for stronger, more science-backed regulations for probiotics and prebiotics for agricultural animals, specifically honey bees. This work stems from my Ph.D. research on the honey bee gut microbiome. It has propelled me to use these ideas to tackle challenges that will protect consumers and animals from products with largely unsupported claims of health benefits.

Regional Onboarding Specialist

• Jul 2021 - Jul 2022

Responsible for building innovative onboarding pipeline for new members with program management software to streamline members into organization engagement, including committee projects, training opportunities, or job and fellowship opportunities. Led efforts for regional local science policy projects with campus chapters that partnered with ten local non-profits to engage in advocacy events in the community. Responsible for building innovative onboarding pipeline for new members with program management software to streamline members into organization engagement, including committee projects, training opportunities, or job and fellowship opportunities. Led efforts for regional local science policy projects with campus chapters that partnered with ten local non-profits to engage in advocacy events in the community.

ComSciCon-Triangle: Communicating Science Conference for Graduate Students in the Research Triangle

• Jun 2019 - Feb 2021

Secured $2,000 of funding for a two-day science communication workshop for STEM graduate studentsCoordinated speakers and finances for the visual communication and a science policy panel Secured $2,000 of funding for a two-day science communication workshop for STEM graduate studentsCoordinated speakers and finances for the visual communication and a science policy panel

Undergraduate Research Assistant

• Oct 2016 - Apr 2018

I worked on developing a phage therapy model for the honeybee disease, American Foulbrood using wax moth larvae as a model system.

Microbiology Laboratory Technician

• Jan 2016 - Apr 2018

Responsible for inoculating bacterial cultures, preparing stains, media and test reagents preparation, lab set up/teardown, and dish sanitizing

Writing Consultant

• Sep 2015 - Apr 2018

Undergraduate Research Fellow

• May 2017 - Aug 2017

Summer research fellow under the National Science Foundation Summer Undergraduate Program For Experiential Research• Research mentor: Dr. Nancy A. MoranAnalyzed the honeybee gut members Lactobacillus firm-4 and firm-5 for their potential use as a probiotic treatment for honeybees. Tested the inhibition of gram-positive opportunistic pathogens in germ-free bees that are mono-inoculated with Lactobacillus. Summer research fellow under the National Science Foundation Summer Undergraduate Program For Experiential Research• Research mentor: Dr. Nancy A. MoranAnalyzed the honeybee gut members Lactobacillus firm-4 and firm-5 for their potential use as a probiotic treatment for honeybees. Tested the inhibition of gram-positive opportunistic pathogens in germ-free bees that are mono-inoculated with Lactobacillus.

Community Outreach Specialist

• May 2016 - Aug 2016

• Supervised 15 youth from the local area and provided nutritional education through farming • Directed cooking demos at WIC Clinics to inform local parents on the importance of nutrition • Organized a Veggie Rx program within the local neighborhood to provide access to fruits and vegetables for the under-served community • Supervised 15 youth from the local area and provided nutritional education through farming • Directed cooking demos at WIC Clinics to inform local parents on the importance of nutrition • Organized a Veggie Rx program within the local neighborhood to provide access to fruits and vegetables for the under-served community