About Me I grew up on the westside of Baltimore. Despite being a city kid, I loved being outdoors and spent a lot of time as a kid moving bugs off the sidewalk, collecting all sorts of natural items, visiting the zoo and park, and watching lots of nature documentaries! I was fortunate enough to have parents who supported my desire to study wildlife as a career.
I got my Bachelors degree in Biology from Hampton University in 2005. I then received my Masters in Environmental Science in 2008 from Christopher Newport University. For several years I alternated between short term biologist positions, honing my nature photography skills, gaining experience in the environmental education field, and caretaking for a relative. A volunteer opportunity conducting bird surveys in Baltimore led me to consider getting a PhD, doing something that would combine my budding interest in urban ecology with my previous research experience with bats. I received my PhD in Natural Resources with an emphasis in Fisheries and Wildlife Science from the University of Missouri in May 2019. I was briefly a naturalist educator at the Carrie Murray Nature Center for about a year; even though most of my time in this position occurred during the pandemic, I was able to successfully facilitate a Maryland Master Naturalist course during this time and assist with limited outdoor programs. As of January 2021 I am an urban wildlife biologist for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service! I currently split my time between Masonville Cove Urban Refuge Partnership in Baltimore, Maryland, Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, and the Chesapeake Bay Field Office in Annapolis. I do a mix of research and outreach. My hobbies include photography, yoga, hiking, camping, traveling, embroidery, and baking. |
My career goals,
|