Biogeochemistry Postdoctoral Researcher,
Point Blue Conservation Science
I research and monitor the impact of conservation management practices on working lands across California and other western states. I co-wrote a protocol to monitor rangeland carbon above and belowground to serve as a master indicator of ecosystem health. With Research Director Chelsea Carey, I am working on statewide retrospective study of three planting practices incentivized by the CA Healthy Soils Initiative. We aim to determine best monitoring practices to inform adaptive climate-smart management.
Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Purdue University
I researched agricultural soil health in the Arequipa region of Southern Peru as part of the Nexus Institute for Food, Energy, Water and the Environment. The project used basic soil laboratory metrics, combined with rapid field analysis (X-Ray fluorescence and visible near infrared spectroscopy) to scale assessments up. With these techniques, along with close collaboration with the local Universidad Nacional de San Augustin, we can map soil contamination and potential productivity.
PhD, Colorado State University
Research Assistant
Fall 2013 - Summer 2018
Research on soil ecology and agricultural amendments :​​
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Impact of biochar on microbially mediated nutrient cycling via enzymatic activities
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Activity of enzymes adsorbed onto biochars and soil
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Carbon sequestration, water dynamics, and yield impact with biochar and manure additions
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Implementing biochar as a microbial inoculum carrier
Fall 2014 - Fall 2016
Taught undergraduate lab sections:
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Introduction to Soil and Crop Sciences
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Soils and Global Change
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Guest Lecture in Soil Microbiology
Working towards The Institute for Teaching and Learning Graduate Teaching Certificate to
develop my teaching portfolio
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Scientist for Data Nuggets, translated my research into activities for high school classrooms
Environmental Science Field Instructor
Teaching Assistant
No Barriers Youth, CO
Summer 2016 - Present
I teach undergraduate field ecology, environmental ethics, and natural resource management courses while backpacking around the West.
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The non-profit Wild Rockies Field Institute is affiliated
with the University of Montana and offers three week to semester-long experiential learning courses for credit.
Fine more information at WRFI.net.
Spring 2018-2019
I lead high school student expeditions to explore and learn about the natural world and our place as part of a global community. Find more information about this nonprofit work at NoBarriersYouth.org.