Ethnobotany /ˌeTHnōˈbätənē/ - the scientific study of the traditional knowledge and customs of a people concerning plants and their medical, religious, and other uses.I specialize in studying the intricate connections between people and plants for the benefit of human health. My education and experience provide me a deep understanding of natural products from "Farm to Bottle". I have a Ph.D. in plant sciences and > 20 years of experience in medical and nutritional ethnobotanist.As the Senior Manager of Plant Biology at Brightseed, I created and built the Plant Biology Department driving the company’s plant sourcing strategy. Previously, I started, developed and led the Project Management Office, as the manager of Scientific Affairs and Partnerships. I advised our Marketing Department, was a technical lead facilitating technical sales and customer communications.I was a Product Developer at BH VMS, the nutritional supplements arm of Clorox, I led R&D initiatives for brands such as Rainbow Light and Natural Vitality. I coordinated with commercial partners, packaging & process development, and CMOs in creating exceptional products backed by rigorous science. I also developed lab claims and substantiation dossiers for multiple products.I have been fortunate to train with the exceptional ethnobotanist, Dr. Michael Balick, PhD and renowned nutritionist, Dr. Christopher Gardner, PhD. During my doctoral research at The New York Botanical Garden, I lived in Northern Thailand for over four years in a multidisciplinary international project investigating medicinal plants and traditional foods used by healers to address memory disorders in the elderly. This project blended anthropology, botanical identification, phytochemical analysis, and the development and implementation of in vitro and in vivo studies. My postdoctoral research in Nutrition at Stanford University's School of Medicine, at the SPRC, involved designing, managing and facilitating clinical trials. My focus extended to understanding their impact on the ecology of the intestinal microbiota.My mission is to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern science, and leverage the untapped potential of plants for improving the quality of life for people around the world. I am passionate about collaborating with diverse stakeholders, conducting ethical and rigorous research, and communicating scientific findings to broad audiences. I am always eager to learn from and contribute to the advancement of the fields of ethnobotany, nutrition, and bioactive discovery.