2019 M.S. Biology Humboldt State University
2016 B.S. Zoology Humboldt State University

I am a doctoral student in the Marine and Environmental Sciences at Northeastern University. My interests are in functional micromorphology of invertebrates in the rocky intertidal. My previous work focused on intertidal ecosystems in Northern California. In my undergraduate, I worked on biodiversity of invertebrates and algae in the rocky intertidal spanning fifteen sites. During this time, I also monitored Sea Star Wasting Disease in the sea star Leptasterias spp in the laboratory and in all local species in the field.

My master’s work, was focused on aboral spine variation in the keystone predator Pisaster ochraceus, the ochre sea star, across environmental gradients with locations from Washington to Northern California. That project molded a lot of my current interests of blending natural history and modern technology including field assays, histology, scanning electron microscopy, micro CT scanning, and more. During this project, I was one of the leads on a project examining eelgrass, Zostera marina, to understand trophic interactions with the potential for bottom up carbon sequestering to mitigate environmental stressors largely effecting invertebrates that are expected to increase with climate change.

Overall, my interests and experiences vary across intertidal habitats to understand ecological relevance of organismal variation. In the Helmuth lab, I hope to continue rigorous science, but also connect with the community and synthesize the information for public consumption. Ideally, this is done with the hopes of making science more accessible, entertaining, and approachable for all.

In my free time, I enjoy creating marine themed functional pottery, scuba diving, and volleyball.

2019 M.R.M. University of Akureryri 
2010 B.A. University of Rhode Island

I am a doctoral student in Marine and Environmental Sciences. My broad research interests include marine monitoring, fisheries, and assessing the impacts of climate change and offshore development on marine ecosystems and coastal communities. I am passionate about community and ecosystem resiliency and I believe it’s important to continuously find new ways to bridge gaps between scientists, managers, marine users, and the public to solve emerging problems.

I’m currently a Research Biologist at Coonamessett Farm Foundation, a marine science non-profit based in Cape Cod. I am the lead PI for the annual Atlantic sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) stock assessment survey, utilizing underwater cameras and integrated environmental sensors, as well as other STEM and fisheries education initiatives. Prior to this, I worked in the Ecosystems Surveys Branch at NOAA Fisheries in Woods Hole, conducting ecosystem surveys for the Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis), Atlantic Sea Scallop, and multispecies groundfish fisheries. I’ve also carried out groundfish surveys in the arctic waters of Alaska and Iceland. For my master’s, I conducted depth-dependent studies of green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) reproduction with the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute in Iceland.

2016 M.F.A. Information Design and Visualization Northeastern University
2004 B.S. Biology Oregon State University

I am a doctoral candidate in the Interdisciplinary Design and Media program at Northeastern University, as well as an information designer and marine scientist. My diverse background on the ocean—having sailed 100,000 km around the globe—fuels my abiding belief in the power of interdisciplinary art and design to engage us with the ecological complexities and dependencies of our planet. My work uses systems thinking and visual storytelling to investigate marine ontologies, with specific concern for swiftly changing ecosystems. For my PhD, I am focusing on the complexity of visually communicating climate change and related research-through-design solutions.

Previously, I was chair of the Collaborative Design + Design Systems graduate program at Pacific Northwest College of Art and a senior researcher on TBA21–Academy’s Ocean Archive project. My installations have been exhibited at Science Gallery Dublin, the European Parliament in Brussels, and the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris, among other venues. I’ve authored multidisciplinary publications in Science, Slate, Migrant Journal, Popular Science, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Roads & Kingdoms, and Public Radio International, among others.

2024 B.S. Marine, Estuarine, and Freshwater Biology University of New Hampshire

I graduated from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) with a degree in Marine, Estuarine, and Freshwater Biology. During my time at UNH, I conducted research at the Isle of Shoals and participated in the university’s Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. At the Isle of Shoals, I had the opportunity to study the Atlantic Hagfish, which remains my favorite organism to date. In the Lakes Lay Monitoring Program, I assisted with research on harmful algal blooms in New Hampshire lakes.

Between college and graduate school, I earned my OUPV Six Pack Captain’s License, allowing me to serve as a captain on marine vessels. I began my graduate studies in Environmental Science and Policy at Northeastern University in January 2025. At the Helmuth Lab, I am currently assisting Angela Jones with her research on sea stars.

2024 B.S. Environmental & Sustainability Sciences Northeastern University

I’m a master’s student in Environmental Science and Policy at Northeastern University. I am passionate about marine life and ecosystems. I am interested in understanding the impacts of climate change, mitigative solutions, and the restoration of various ecosystems. As an undergraduate, I compiled a literature review on the value and use of biomimicry in response to environmental change and briefly studied coral reefs in South Africa.

In the Helmuth lab, I am currently assisting PhD Candidate Angela Jones with Sea Star research, learning about species morphology and Sea Star Wasting Disease.

I enjoy spending time in nature, scuba diving, rowing, creating art, and writing music.

2024 B.A. Anthropology Tufts University

I am interested in conservation and population restoration. I was a research assistant at Tufts University at the Kibale Chimp Project, focusing on behavioral insights from wild chimpanzees in Uganda. I worked on collecting hundreds of examples of adult play and completed an independent research project examining the locations of inter-group interactions.

In the Helmuth Lab, I assist PhD candidate Angela Jones in her sea star research. I hope to utilize my skills in the future to make an impact in helping to conserve various species.

In my free time, I enjoy skiing, reading, and spending time outside (ideally with dogs).