Background
I am an interdisciplinary conservation scientist with training in conservation biology, wetland ecology, water resources issues, population ecology, ornithology, landscape ecology and animal behavior. My research focuses on the interconnections between water and ecosystems for ecological conservation, the conservation value of anthropogenic land and waterscapes, and Nature-based Solutions to societal problems. Other research interests include Translational Water Research, Integrated Water Resources Management, and the co-production of equitable conservation solutions to help nature and people.
Outside of my academic career, I am passionate about helping people connect with the natural world (as a field guide and author of The Gulo in Nature Blog), and practicing and teaching martial arts.
Education
2018 Ph.D. Ecology, Evolution & Behavior, Tufts University
2018 Graduate Certificate in Water Resources Management, Tufts University
2010 B.A. Ecology, Connecticut College
2010 B.A. Environmental Studies, Connecticut College, 2010
2010 Undergraduate Certificate in Conservation Biology, Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment
Science
I am broadly interested in applying natural history and animal behavior to solving conservation problems, especially where they overlap with water resources management and infrastructure development issues. This involves blending field research with Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, Artificial Intelligence and interdisciplinary synthesis of scientific knowledge. I conduct applied conservation research with a global scope, collaborating with local partners as much as possible. I am always interested in international research and finding ways to increase local capacity for meaningful ecological conservation in underserved communities.
My research has been funded by NASA, The Disney Conservation Fund, the Nuttall Ornithological Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Outreach
People are more disconnected from the natural world than ever before. This is happening at a time when nature is in crisis, and the scientific community is learning that access to this vanishing nature provides numerous psychological and bodily health benefits.
Driven by an awareness that science alone won’t fix the ongoing biodiversity crisis nor solve 21st-century sustainability problems, I work to increase public exposure to nature and natural history topics through multiple media. By getting to know the beauty and value of the natural world around us, it’s so much easier to protect it.
In 2022, I founded Gulo in Nature, a nature blog dedicated to helping people learn about the non-human world. It includes answers to nature FAQ, myth-busting articles, deep-dives into ecology topics, and tips for outdoor recreation. I also act as a co-host/co-producer on several nature and science podcasts, including The Nature Guys, Rewildology, and K9 Conservationists.