Outreach Efforts
As an ecologist, I believe it is my duty to share my love of science and research findings with a broad audience. As often as possible, I try to engage young scientists. Whether taking on multi-year research projects with aspiring biologists, or tabling at events to encourage more young women to think about the sciences for their future careers. I also strive to present my research to the public on a regular basis, to raise awareness and stimulate conversation among non-scientists about the importance of wildlife conservation.
Mentoring undergraduate students
From 2016-2018 I mentored three students at the University of Wyoming with multi-year independent research projects. Mentorship involved helping student to develop research questions and study designs, collect data in the field, analyze data, and prepare manuscripts for publication. The skills and experiences gained in conducting their own research are invaluable for aspiring biologists.
Community engagement
I try to be actively involved in my community, spreading awareness about conservation issues. As a board member for the Laramie Audubon Society from 2015-2017, I led birding field trips, organized speakers to present at monthly public events, and ran the review committee for a bi-annual small grants program. I also co-developed and organized a nest box monitoring project with the Laramie Girl Scouts, which brought girls to a wildlife refuge once a week to monitor tree swallow nest boxes. We taught participants about data collection, bird breeding biology, and how data collected in citizen science projects can help scientists answer questions.
​
I currently serve as the Treasurer for the Oregon Chapter of the Wildlife Society, a position which allows me to promote the professional development of Oregon's biologists, and advocate for sound science.
Young scientist outreach & education
I take every opportunity available to me to get your students, especially girls, excited about science. From helping judge the science fair,​ to tabling science outreach events, to giving guest lectures in 4th grade classrooms about predation. I have also helped to organize workshops for middle-school students attending the science fair, to help them feel more comfortable and confident presenting their research to judges.
​
I also created a ~4 hour lesson plan for high school sophomores to learn about the scientific method, using trail camera photos taken on natural gas fields in western Wyoming. The curriculum allowed students to develop research questions, collect data, view results, and formulate conclusions based on their results. I would be happy to share this curriculum and the associated materials with interested educators.
Speaking to the public
I aim to take every opportunity available to speak to the public about my research, both at professional conferences, as well as at public meetings (such local Audubon chapter meetings and other community engagement events).
I also enjoy speaking with high school classes about what it means to be a wildlife biologist, and the varied career paths they could take to being a biologist. I currently live in Portland, OR. Please feel free to contact me if you are a teacher in the area interested in having me speak to your class about wildlife biology.
