Applied Science Team Lead

• Nov 2022 - Present

Forest Carbon Scientist

• Nov 2021 - Nov 2022

Forest Conservation Consultant

• Apr 2021 - May 2022

I design and conduct forest conservation projects for a USAID-funded program to recover tropical forests which were degraded by illegal gold mining. Responsibilities include dataset generation, database management, data analysis and synthesis, research support for ongoing projects, technical report writing and summary report writing. The findings of this work is being used to inform the Peruvian government’s gold mining policies. Current projects include: above and belowground carbon assessments for forests impacted by gold mining, forest health assessments of natural regeneration on previously mined areas, and automated detection of mining waste ponds. Projects entail synthesizing machine learning and statistical analysis with remotely sensed satellite data and field data. Show less

Spatial Analytics Consultant

• Mar 2021 - May 2022

I consult with clients to develop and present proposals utilizing satellite data and analysis for various projects related to sustainable development, forest management and agricultural monitoring. Some examples of past and ongoing projects include: estimating crop yields from vineyards in California, monitoring efficacy of reduced irrigation practices at city parks in Florida, tracking deforestation throughout catchment area of the Kaveri basin in India, and tracking success of reforestation initiatives in Florida. Show less

Conservation Researcher - Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment & Resources

• Sep 2015 - Mar 2021

Designed and conducted series of research projects to study illegal gold mining's environmental and social impacts in Peru. Combined methods from remote sensing and biology with community engagement to gain a comprehensive and socially-informed perspective. Raised and managed funding for each project through National Geographic and various other funding agencies. Collaborated with an international group of researchers, conservation practitioners, and mining communities for thesis and related projects. Supervised and mentored several undergraduates on independent, but related, projects to complete honors thesis requirements. Conducted field work assessing forest structure and collecting soil and plant samples from abandoned gold mines and interviewing gold miners, members of indigenous communities, and other various local stakeholders in Puerto Maldonado, Peru. Show less

Lead Instructor - California Open Space Management

• May 2018 - Dec 2018

Taught a Master's Level course where students worked with local open space management organizations to conduct research projects that would benefit the organization's needs and aims. Liased with multiple large NGOs in the Bay Area to design projects for the course and to coordinate students working with partners. Supported students in an advisory capacity, and through twice weekly lectures on subjects related to the work they were doing. Organized a small research symposium for students to present their research results to community partners. Shared all responsibilities equally with a co-lead instructor. Show less

Assistant Instructor

• Jan 2017 - Dec 2017

Environmental Decision-Making and Risk Perception | Fall 2020Assisted lead instructor by leading weekly discussion sections, delivering a lecture on human behavior and illegal environmental activity, mentoring students through design and completion of their final research projects.Living on The Edge | Fall 2019Assisted lead instructor by teaching California field ecology component of course and organizing three 2-day field excursions across Northern California coast.Evolution of Life in Neotropical Forests of Ecuador | Summer 2017Assisted lead instructor by teaching all botany and ecology components of course, teaching students how to collect and analyze field data, coordinating field travel and lodging logistics, and translating from Spanish-English for lead instructor and indigenous community members.From Freshwater To Oceans To Land Systems: An Earth System Perspective To Global Challenges | Winter 2016Assisted lead instructor by teaching two lectures on soil biogeochemistry and water conservation challenges and leading weekly discussion sections. Show less

Research Manager

• Nov 2014 - Aug 2015

Managed operations of a genomics research laboratory. Responsibilities included conducting research projects, designing and teaching several workshops on data analysis using R, training and supervising lab members in proper laboratory and analysis methods, maintaining supply stocks, ensuring laboratory corresponded to all EHS standards. Primary research projects included: ancient DNA extraction and sequencing of Metropolitan Museum of Art artifacts and RNA study on microbial communities in highly contaminated waters of the Gowanus Canal. Show less

Research Coordinator

• Oct 2013 - Oct 2014

Coordinated and managed research activities at a large tropical field station. Designed and supervised research projects for visiting researchers and students. Presented on the work that our organization and field station were doing to local and regional stake holders. Led multiple outreach efforts with local indigenous and colonist communities to lead STEM and conservation education programs, and more importantly, to maintain local collaborations in order to collaborate and conduct research that could benefit local communities. Taught several field courses on statistical methods and tropical botany, ecology, and entomology to visiting university groups and resident students & scientists. Worked to ensure facility followed health and safety regulations and that all staff and residents were trained in emergency wilderness first aid. Show less

Graduate Student

• Aug 2011 - Oct 2013

Completed two masters-level theses as part of an Erasmus Mundus funded program. First thesis research was conducted at Harvard University, in collaboration with Universite Montpellier II. Designed and conducted research project using historical and current temperature data to look for phylogenetic signal in the seasonal responses of plants and their interacting pollinators. Aim was to determine if phenological responses to climate change were similar between plants and their pollinators to understand implications for long term plant and insect abundance. Second thesis was conducted with the University of Groningen, with field work in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi National Park, South Africa. Performed geospatial modeling of large herbivore and macrodetritivore distributions in park based on presence/absence observations and continuous environmental variables. Conducted field study surveying grassland and forest vegetation in areas with low, medium and high herbivore and detritovore presence, to study the impacts that grazing and foraging behaviors have on vegetation community structure. Conducted a 3-month independent study on plant reproductive adaptations to climate change comparing Fst to Qst to determine which reproductive traits were under selection at Universite Montpellier II. Worked in experimental garden measuring floral traits and compared those to microsatellite data. Show less

Research Assistant at the Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics

• Jul 2010 - Jul 2011

Worked to molecularly identify illegally imported plant and animal products to provide evidence for cases prosecuted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Food & Drug Administration. Other research projects included identifying novel viruses and bacteria present in flying foxes in collaboration with the EcoHealth Alliance and training new graduate and undergraduate students in proper laboratory techniques Worked to molecularly identify illegally imported plant and animal products to provide evidence for cases prosecuted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Food & Drug Administration. Other research projects included identifying novel viruses and bacteria present in flying foxes in collaboration with the EcoHealth Alliance and training new graduate and undergraduate students in proper laboratory techniques

Research at the Jodrell Plant Genetics Laboratory

• Sep 2009 - Dec 2009

Assisted in research on tropical plant genetic diversity working primarily on Guarea sp. Extracted DNA from museum samples and field samples, amplified regions of interest with PCR and performed Sanger sequencing. Assisted in research on tropical plant genetic diversity working primarily on Guarea sp. Extracted DNA from museum samples and field samples, amplified regions of interest with PCR and performed Sanger sequencing.

Researcher at the Pfizer Plant Research Laboratory

• Oct 2007 - Jun 2009

Assisted with conservation genetic research 2 days/week as an undergraduate researcher. Primary research project was to identify hot spots of genetic diversity in several populations of endangered cycads to prioritize individuals to collect seeds from for conservation action. Assisted with conservation genetic research 2 days/week as an undergraduate researcher. Primary research project was to identify hot spots of genetic diversity in several populations of endangered cycads to prioritize individuals to collect seeds from for conservation action.