My Career Path

I grew up on the Gulf of Mexico in south Mississippi, so the ocean has always been a part of my life. Although it took time for me to realize my career path, I found that my passions for discovery, outreach, community service, and teaching all pointed toward a faculty position in science.

I became a scientist because I had incredible teachers in high school who pushed me to pursue my curiosity and from that I found a love for research and “unseen” microbial life in college. I began studying desert soil bacteria, became interested in taxonomy and phylogeny, and pursued graduate school to study marine microorganisms. My project involved characterizing a new group of marine archaea – the Thaumarchaeota – and I’ve been fascinated with them ever since. I am most interested in understanding how microorganisms adapt to a changing environment, and discovering more about under-characterized groups of microbes.

Apart from research, I am passionate about education (both to students and the public) and mentorship, and I strive to make my field a more inclusive and supportive environment for all people. I truly believe anyone can do science, and encourage even the second graders I work with to call themselves “scientists”, “do research” by exploring the world around them, and “record their observations” through notes and drawings. Outside of work, I love to explore the world through hikes, good food, and road trips.