a little about me

i am originally from charlotte, north carolina and lived there for 15 years. i attended the north carolina school of science and mathematics in durham, nc before i began my undergraduate journey at spelman college in atlanta, ga. spelman college was where i realized how much i loved marine biology! going to an hbcu was incredibly rewarding and introduced me to a variety of research internships that would only further increase my interest in becoming a marine biologist. i am a 2017 alumna of the diversity project, led by paul barber and peggy fong at the university of california, los angeles. i am also a 2018 alumna of woods hole oceanographic institution's summer student fellowship. i invite you to learn more about my experience by visiting my research tab. 

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these undergraduate experiences led me to pursue a phd at the university of california, santa barbara in the hofmann lab. i was drawn to this lab because of their commitment to diversity, collaboration, mentorship, and of course to advancing our scientific field. as a phd student, i was able to explore my many different interests in fisheries science, aquaculture, climate change, biological oceanography, transgenerational plasticity, larval biology, and ecophysiology. now, as a phd candidate, i am focused on exploring impacts of marine heatwaves on egg quality and physiology of early stages of the purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. through simulating marine heatwave events in the lab, i am able to study how these events impact purple sea urchin embryo physiology by looking at body size, metabolic rate, protein content, oxidative stress, lipid content, and other biochemical properties.

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when not doing science, i am an avid baker. i love to make sourdough and a wide variety of pastries. while my bread rises, i love to read historical fiction, mysteries, memoirs, and contemporary fiction. some of my other main hobbies include hiking, yoga, and traveling with friends. thank you for visiting my website and reading a little about me!