I was born and raised in Pennsylvania where I would often explore the gorgeous North Eastern forests with friends and family. Over the years, my interests evolved as I continued exploring the natural world through teaching outdoor education and studying plant ecology. Today, I am broadly interested in plant evolutionary ecology and biogeography. I wonder why plants have certain characteristics and ask which characteristics drive plant distributions over time through changing climates to ultimately shape the plant communities we interact with today. Outside the lab, I am interested in all things outdoors. I rock climb, white water kayak, and mountain bike. Sometimes, I also run really long distances for fun. I aspire to lead a balanced, happy life outside and hopefully inspire others to do the same through teaching and researching ecology.