Advisor: Dr. Marc WeissburgResearch includes: chemical interactions between predator-prey, coastal engineering and living shorelines, estuarine ecologyCertification in progress: Tech to Teaching - a program designed to train graduate students in the fundamentals of teaching such as learning differences, course design, evidence-based teaching, and assessment.• Conduct four comprehensive research projects within marine ecology exploring the chemically-mediated interactions between eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica, and their predators• Manage projects and partnerships with state and scientific agencies such as Dept of Natural Resources, National Park Service, and Georgia Sea Grant through oyster reef restoration project in the Savannah River• Demonstrate exceptional grant writing skills and the ability to articulate research significance and impact by securing a total of $150,000+ in research funding through grant proposals• Cultivate skills in scientific writing and communication by publishing two first-author and two co-author scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and presenting research findings at national conferences, engaging with fellow scholars and professionals to exchange ideas and receive feedback.• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to address complex research questions, integrating perspectives from various disciplines, including research universities, state agencies, non-profit conservation agencies, and public volunteers to achieve comprehensive insights on project goals• Demonstrated leadership by mentoring and supervising five undergraduate students in independent research projects, resume building, and graduate school applications

• Led a multi-disciplinary team of five culturally diverse graduate fellows (biology, sociology, mechanical engineering, computer science, and public policy) to draft a perspectives manuscript on environmental justice in sustainability research• Managed team project, including balancing multiple priorities and deadlines effectively by developing a comprehensive writing plan with timelines for submission, resulting in publication before the end of our fellowship period• Resolved team challenges by leading the group to identify our common goals and share our time management schedules in order to foster collaboration and coordinate effective team efforts• Oversaw and completed manuscript preparation, including writing, editing, and formatting, resulting in publication "Pursuing multifaceted-disciplinarity to enrich the future of justice in sustainability science" to iScience, a peer-reviewed academic journal• Organized and led a three-day sustainability retreat for six graduate fellows on Georgia's coast focused on community outreach initiatives and education on environmental sustainability

• Conducted research in collaboration with the University of Georgia Shellfish Research Lab on the chemical interactions between blue crabs and eastern oysters to develop strategies for enhancing oyster restoration and living shorelines in coastal Georgia to mitigate coastal erosion from ship wake• Managed oyster reef restoration project in the Savannah River, and fostered partnerships with state and scientific agencies such as Dept of Natural Resources, National Park Service, and Georgia Sea Grant• Designed and executed field experiments to assess the impact of oysters’ shell strengthening defense on survival and reef health, contributing to habitat restoration efforts in coastal ecosystems.• Analyzed and interpreted data to inform best practices for oyster reef restoration and living shoreline initiatives, leading to improved environmental management strategies for erosion mitigation in the Savannah River• Collaborated with academic and community stakeholders by organizing and leading two volunteer outreach events with over 30 volunteers from 6 organizations, fostering community engagement, environmental stewardship, and supporting broader conservation and restoration initiatives• Participated in professional development workshops focused on leadership styles, team-building, and community outreach in scientific research, enhancing skills in collaboration, project management, and public engagement

• Designed and conducted an independent research project investigating the combined effects of temperature and warming on temperate coral Oculina arbuscula in collaboration with faculty mentors at Georgia Southern and University of Georgia with funding support from Georgia Sea Grant and Gray’s Reef Natl Marine Sanctuary• Developed a comprehensive research plan, including hypothesis formulation and methodology and conducted literature reviews to inform experimental design and contextualize findings within existing scientific knowledge• Statistically analyzed and visualized experimental data using appropriate testing in JMP and GraphPad Prism, drawing meaningful conclusions and identifying trends• Prepared and published a thesis documenting research objectives, methods, results, and interpretations following the format of peer-reviewed scientific reports and publications• Communicated findings effectively through oral presentations at an academic conference, showcasing research outcomes to faculty and peers, and receiving first place prize for undergraduate presentations

• Directed calls and provided information to employers and students on events, job postings, and office services• Advised current students on career and major choices through assessments and other resources and critiqued resumes of current students and alumni

• Facilitated company-student interactions through proctoring interviews, information sessions, and tabling events• Assisted in organizing and executing approximately 8 career events a semester