Yup, I’m a scientist.

I have read the books, worn the lab coats, taken the samples, measured the things, and written the papers. I love what I do and thrive on the basic curiosity that drives my productivity. I study relationships between fish and the array of infectious agents that can contribute to disease and death. Like any relationship, the environment within which relationships form is a major player affecting the outcome for each partner. Changes in the conditions a fish or pathogen experiences can alter how that organism functions and, subsequently, determines how each partner is impacted.

We as humans have heavily impacted our planet and are now experiencing the consequences, which include a changing climate. Temperature is a major component of that change, with many rivers and oceans warming up considerably. Fish (for the most part) are ectothermic, meaning they are the temperature of their environment. So as waters warm, so do the fish. And, interestingly enough, so do the pathogens. The whole host-pathogen ecosystem is shifting and we need to understand how that will impact fish populations in the short and long term.

Ecology, fisheries, disease, and human impacts.

I use genetics and physiological tools to investigate fish resilience to stressors, like those caused by climate change and human impacts on the environment (e.g., warming water, habitat fragmentation) and how those factors contribute to disease and mortality in the wild. I use that information to develop recommendations for managers and policy makers so that our fish and fisheries can thrive in an uncertain future. I want healthy ecosystems for my child and future generations. My work is centered around that goal.

Oil that science machine.

I am passionate about mentorship and team science. Sharing knowledge is the best way to learn skills and retain information. As a mentor, I foster independence in a safe and nurturing hands-on environment. I encourage students and mentees to become mentors themselves, thereby creating a feedback loop for intellectual growth. I am a fierce proponent of team science and the action of integrating diverse perspectives and voices into science and decision making. I work to create an empowering and welcoming space where individuals share and grow ideas together toward inspired collaborative solutions.

Bring your whole self to science.

We are more than just our science. Why waste those valuable and unique perspectives and skill sets when we can integrate them into our thought processes, network development, methods innovation, and so much more?? Recognize the power and knowledge you possess right now and how you can channel your whole self into your work. Knowing that your science can be augmented by your identity will help you adjust and refine your personal-professional boundaries.