I research and record informative videos and posts about ecological topics on social media for science communication and accessibility. Aimed to the general public and plant enthusiasts alike. Community resource for plant identification and care.

I conducted an investigation of why Pincushion Moss (Leucobryum spp.) grew where it does on Chestnut Ridge in Asheville, North Carolina. I measured and compared percent full sun, soil moisture, and soil organic carbon content through loss on ignition where the moss grew versus where it did not. These three factors had no statistically significant effect on where the moss grew and can help limit factors for future studies.

I taught lessons in multiple elementary schools in topics ranging from insect and arachnid ecology to Native American history. I have taken six undergraduate education courses aimed at pedagogy both for elementary levels and beyond. Through Science Olympiad, I have worked with elementary students on the basics of plant biology.

I completed a team-based original research project in which we identified 346 new galactic and extragalactic sources of infrared excess that could be young stellar objects, active galactic nuclei, or other stages of stellar development. I used filtering, outlier selection, and cosmetic inspection of the catalog of data from the Spitzer Space Telescope. These sources are now ready for further observation with another telescope such as the James Webb Space Telescope. Presented at the 231st American Astronomical Society meeting.