Graduate Research Assistant                                                                                               2017 – 2023

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

University of Nevada, Reno

Research Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth G. Pringle

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Dissertation focus: Community dynamics across a mosaic of chemistry: a study of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus), their larval food-plant (Asclepias spp.; milkweeds), and their predators through an environmental gradient in the Great Basin.

• Investigated the "phytochemical landscape" of milkweeds by surveying 45 populations across the Great Basin. Phenotype data was then compared to plant secondary metabolites using a non-target approach, from which I identified compound classes that respond differently to biotic and abiotic pressures.

• Established six common gardens across a 400 km environmental gradient to determine differing climate-mediated abiotic and biotic pressures on

• Examined the intraspecific variation of induced plant trait responses to co-occurring herbivory and water-limitation using a common garden, with plants from low water-availability areas responding with greater magnitude to single stressors, and all populations showing a decline in response to two stressors.

 

Field Assistant Researcher                                                                                                                2017

Washington State University                              

Supervisor: Dr. Cheryl B. Schultz

• Conducted surveys for endangered Fender’s blue butterfly (Icaricia ilariids fenderi) eggs on threatened host-plants (Kincaid's lupine; Lupinus sulphureus kincaidii) in long-term monitoring plots.

 

Undergraduate Researcher                                                                                                   2016 – 2017

Washington State University

National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduate Program

Research Advisor: Dr. Cheryl B. Schultz                                                          

• Designed and implemented independent project investigating the sublethal effects of neonicotinoid seed treatments from co-planted crop species with host-plants (milkweeds) on monarch larval development and survival.

 

Undergraduate Researcher                                                                                                   2015 – 2018

Portland State University

Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program          

Research Advisor: Dr. Susan E. Masta                                                

• Identified to family level and cataloged morphospecies for parasitoid Hymenoptera collected from pitfall traps, which demonstrated a large diversity of parasitoid community assemblages from urban green roofs.

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Undergraduate Assistant Researcher                                                                                 2015 – 2017

Portland State University                         

Research Advisor: Dr. Daniel J. Ballhorn                                             

• Examined the effects of nitrogen-fixing rhizobia on parasitoid Hymenoptera recruitment in Phaseolus lunatus (lima bean) by assisted with background literature searches, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.

• Analyzed previously collected data to determine the effects of foliar fungal endophytes on below-ground symbionts in P. lunatus under light-limited conditions.

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Undergraduate Assistant Researcher                                                                                             2014

Portland State University                         

Research Advisor: Dr. Sarah Eppley                              

 

• Established random 10-x-10 meter quadrats within study area with research group to survey epiphyte communities in managed Oregon oak (Quercus garryana) woodland areas       

• Analyzed percent cover and number of epiphytic species per tree within given quadrat between treatments.

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