As a PhD student in the Rassweiler lab at Florida State Univeristy, my research seeks to understand how benthic (i.e. seafloor) species associate with their habitats, particularly within the context of manmade structures such as artificial reefs, shipwrecks, and offshore energy infrastructure. My research interests include seascape connectivity, benthic invertebrates, assemblage, urban ecology, and ecological engineering.

Prior to my doctoral studies, I graduated from Florida State University in 2020 with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Biological Science and Environment & Society. Working with Dr. Sandra Brooke, my honors thesis investigated how the physical characteristics of artificial reefs shape benthic assemblages. Following graduation, I received a Fulbright Scholarship to study giant clam restoration in the Philippines, though this project could not be completed due to the pandemic. In 2021 I instead traveled to Honduras to serve as a biologist and educator at the Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center, where I led a portion of the intern program and facilitated conservation initiatives such as coral disease treatment and restoration. In 2022, I served as a biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Artificial Reef Program, working with stakeholders to manage and monitor artificial reef projects throughout the Florida panhandle.

Parallel to my research, I work to expand access to ocean-related career education through social media platforms, primarily through my YouTube channel Ocean Scholar. Through, Ocean Scholar, I make content about careers in marine conservation, marine biology, and academia, and tools and tips to succeed in those fields. You can read more about my channel here.