Driven by curiosity, I am a scientist, educator, and scientific illustrator. As a PhD candidate at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, my research investigates the underwater soundscapes of the Gulf of Alaska, where oceanographic cruises provide fodder for my field sketching practice. In parallel to my academics, I have dedicated years of service as an environmental educator in K-12, higher education, and lifelong learning communities. I am continually seeking new perspectives and more equitable, inclusive ways to both do science and communicate it to broad audiences.
I reside and study on the traditional and contemporary unceded homelands of the Lower Tanana Dena. My research takes me to the waters of the Sugpiaq/Alutiiq, Eyak, Łingít, and Athabascan peoples. These cultures have come together in these regions for millennia; I honor and respect their past, present, and future stewardship of land, animals, and waters. As a researcher, supporting the interests of local Indigenous communities and doing my part in addressing the lasting impacts of colonialism are my paramount priorities.
I move through this world as a white, cisgender, mostly able-bodied woman who was raised with relative socio-economic stability. My journey in science and society has been privileged as a result. I am also queer, neurodivergent, and a first-generation college student who has often struggled in this field. I understand my work through the lenses of all these identities.
