About Me

I’m a wildlife evolutionary ecologist born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I grew up playing soccer and rugby and enjoying all that the prairies had to offer. As one of a handful in my family to pursue an undergraduate degree, and the first in my family to purse any kind of graduate education, I have often felt intimidated in academia. Through the support and guidance I received from my teachers and mentors, I realized that I have what it takes to be a leader in my STEM field. As I continue to pursue a career in academia, I aim to instill that sense of belonging and empowerment in others. I see it as my responsibility to use my privilege and platform to create space for marginalized voices in science, and continue to actively challenge the deeply rooted colonialist, elitist, sexist, and ableist narratives that dominate academic institutions.

Current Position

Postdoctoral Associate - Yale University
2023-present
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
New Haven, Connecticut, USA

Education

PhD Environmental and Life Sciences - Trent University
2018 – 2023
Department of Environmental and Life Sciences
Peterborough, ON, Canada

MSc Biology - Memorial University of Newfoundland
2015 – 2018
Department of Biology
St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada

BSc (Honours) Biology - University of Winnipeg
2009 – 2014
Department of Biology
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Funding & Awards

Natural Sciences and Engineering Council (NSERC)
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (2018 – 2022)
Canada Graduate Scholarship -Masters (2016–2017)

Atlantic Computational Excellence Network (ACEnet)
Research Fellowship (2016–2017)

Trent University
Eileen Allemang Bursary (2023) Best Oral Presentation Trent Graduate Student Symposium (2019)
Trent University Dean’s PhD Scholarship (2018-2022)

Memorial University of Newfoundland
Deans Masters Scholarship (2016–2017)