Education

• Appalachian State University

  M.S.

  Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  I investigated plant community composition and the effects of rock climbing on cliffs in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Tennessee and Kentucky. As part of the project, I developed a spatial model to help park managers identify cliffs with high floral diversity that might be attractive to climbers. The results of my research, including the model, will be used in the development of a climbing management plan for the park.
  

• Appalachian State University

  Teaching Assistant

  
  I prepared and taught undergraduate Biology lab courses for majors and non-majors. I also worked at the ASU Biology greenhouse, cultivating and preparing plants used for research, and in the ASU herbarium, cataloging the cliff flora collection.
  

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  Bachelor of Arts

  Biology; Environmental Science
  Morehead-Cain Scholar: UNC-Chapel Hill (2001-2006) Carolina Environmental Program: Highlands Biological Station (2006) Study Abroad: Prague Conservatory and Collegium Hieronymi Pragensis (2003)
  

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  Research Assistant

  
  Assisted in original research regarding disease ecology in grass populations and managed the field research team.
  

• The Graduate Center, City University of New York

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD

  Plant Sciences / Lichenology
  I am studying the biology, ecology and taxonomy of lichens with Dr. James Lendemer at the New York Botanical Garden.