Interests and Bio:
In general, I am interested in using genetics to study the ecology of wildlife species and to help inform conservation and management decisions. My interest in wildlife genetics began during my time as undergraduate intern here at the MECU. During this time I was able to complete a practicum project involving microsatellites and the endangered Blunt-Nosed Leopard Lizard. After graduating with my Bachelors of Science in Animal Biology I took a brief break from academia to explore other career interests. I ultimately decided to continue to pursue my interest in wildlife genetics and obtained a Masters of Science with a concentration in Ecology and Evolution from San Jose State University. My masters work involved using DNA metabarcoding to study the diet of a subspecies of American Pikas in the Northwest Great Basin and Sierra Nevadas. Currently, as a lab assistant here at the MECU I get to help with a variety of the projects going on in the lab!