ABOUT ME
Currently, I am an assistant professor of biology at Meredith College. Meredith is a private women's liberal arts college in Raleigh, North Carolina. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University San Bernardino and a Master of Science from The University of Nebraska. My PhD. is from North Carolina State University, where I was employed as a laboratory teaching technician.
I started my teaching career as a state-licensed high school teacher, holding certificates in California and North Carolina. I began my post-secondary career teaching nursing students anatomy and physiology at East Coast Polytechnic Institute.
My background in biology is broad, and I enjoy doing laboratory and field research. I consider myself a naturalist who enjoys genetics and ecology. My PhD focused on wild house mice (Mus musculus), their reproductive behavior, mate choice, and gene drives. I am particularly interested in the ecological and behavioral aspects of reproduction. At Meredith, I also research amphibians and diseases. My work focuses on studying local chytridiomycosis levels and raising awareness nationally about this deadly disease. I have a lifelong love of herpetology, particularly frogs. I am the Treasurer and Youth Branch lead for the North Carolina Herpetological Society.
As a science educator, I have long been interested in interdisciplinary studies and the social dimensions of science. My PhD minor in genetic engineering and society allowed me to gain experience in interdisciplinary research. Having a diverse background also provides me with the tools required to be an effective teacher and researcher.
