About ME

Hello! I am an ecosystem ecologist and biogeochemist interested in how climate change modulates biological communities and their associated ecosystem functions and services. I combine field observations, experimental manipulations, and long-term datasets with novel simulation models and geographic information systems (GIS) to explore the causes and ecosystem consequences of global change. I am particularly interested in using species’ functional traits to understand their contributions to ecosystem processes in systems or landscapes experiencing climate change. 

Visit my Google Scholar or Research Gate pages for the most up-to-date list of my publications. Read more About Me or see my Curriculum Vitae.

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Click the pictures or titles below to learn more about my research!

Functional Consequences of Species Range Shifts in Subalpine Wetlands

In a subalpine wetland system owned by The Nature Conservancy and managed by the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, I explore how climate-driven species range shifts influence nutrient cycling and detritus processing.

Effects of early snowmelt phenology on headwater stream Biogeochemistry

In headwater streams near the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, I explore how climate-driven shifts in snowmelt phenology alter seasonal patterns of river primary production and nutrient demand by advancing the timing of stream peak flow hydrology.

Drivers of Extreme Single-Day Wildfire Spread

Since joining the Clark School of the Environment at Western Colorado University, I've collaborated with an international team of forest and wildfire scientists to study the climatic and landscape drivers of extreme single-day wildfire spread events and their burn severity outcomes.

But being a scientist is more than just doing cool science. Click below to learn more about ​other aspects of my work!

Outreach

From K-12 programs to college groups to retirees, sharing my science with broad audiences is key to effective climate action.

Mentoring

I mentor undergraduate students on independent summer REU projects at RMBL, and serve as a committee member for MS Ecology theses at Western.

Collaboration

Science can't happen in a vacuum, and I'm fortunate to work with wonderful people.

Header Image Credit Watershed Function SFA