When I was a kid, I remember being too short to see the small television that sat on the kitchen counter of my family home, so I would crawl onto the island to watch Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, while my mom cooked dinner. Getting scolded for having my feet on the counter was well worth it if it meant seeing Steve wrangle a croc or save a snake from the road. Anytime an adult asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would say “save animals” or “not a vet", but it took me years to finally understand that, for me, that meant conservation biology and education. 

 

Growing up on the coast of Sarasota, Florida I had many opportunities to work with marine organisms, but it wasn’t until undergrad that I fell into the tiny (but mighty) world of insects, almost by accident, when the avian internship I applied for was full, and I was offered an entomology one instead. That program showed me my love for insects. I often think of my career journey as a puzzle, I’m not sure what the final picture looks like, but I know when a piece fits, and insects fit well. Later in my master’s program I took courses on equitable and effective science education, and as someone who often worried that maybe science wasn’t for her, I knew that was another piece of the puzzle. Now in my current role, I have the extreme privilege to both lead conservation research and share inspiring stories with a variety of audiences.

 

When I’m not looking at bees on flowers, I enjoy spending my time watching movies, outdoor activities like hiking and cycling, playing improv on stage with friends, and training my dog.