About Me

I am a PhD candidate in the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. My dissertation examines the impacts of climate change on major staple crops in Zambia and tests the efficacy of agricultural adaptations. By mixing methods - including predictive crop modeling, machine learning, geospatial analyses, community engagement, and public outreach - I hope to produce products with communities that both further scientific understanding  and help farmers cope with the realities of climate change. 

Prior to my time in graduate school, I received my Bachelor degree in Environmental Studies, with a minor in English Literature, from Denison University in Granville, Ohio. After graduating, I worked as a high school science teacher in Blytheville, Arkansas, and Austin, Texas, for six years. My time in the classroom inspired me to work towards a doctoral degree, with a focus on tropical agriculture and climate change. I hope to pursue a career as a university faculty member, where I can both teach students and contribute to research.

I have earned several fellowships and awards throughout my graduate school career, including the Morgridge Center Fellowship for Community-Engaged Research, the Society for Women Geographers Pruitt Doctoral Fellowship, the 4W Emerging Scholars Fellowship, and the Pulitzer Center International Reporting Fellowship. My primary article with the Pulitzer Center was named one of their top photojournalism projects of 2022. 

Outside of my academic work, I teach yoga at a local studio, cook delicious meals for my wonderful found family in Madison, and bike around our state's beautiful trails, and spend time with my dog outside (in all weather!).