Research Experience
2020-Present
Doctoral research, Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences
Principle Investigators: Dr. Jesse Senko and Dr. James Collins
Studying bycatch reduction innovations employed on air-breathing marine megafauna, particularly on sea turtles, in artisanal passive fisheries and human dimensions of coastal Mexican fisheries to promote the participation and adoption of bycatch reduction initiatives
2021-Present
Graduate research, Office of the United States Trade Representative, U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement
Principle Investigator: Jeffrey A. Seminoff
A collaborative project among governments, non-profits, educators, and researchers in the United States and Mexico aiming to enhance efforts in the protection and recovery of the North Pacific loggerhead turtle and East Pacific leatherback turtle through various bycatch reduction initiatives. Activities include rapid bycatch assessments, fishery bycatch reduction experiments, fisher learning exchange workshops, and methods for alternative livelihoods. I participate in the fishery trials component of this project including experimental development and design as well as data management.
2021-2022
Graduate research, Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences
Principle Investigator: Dr. Katelyn Cooper
In a course-based research experience (CRE) of undergraduate and graduate students, we investigated what aspects of large-enrollment online science courses exacerbate and alleviate student anxiety and depression. We also investigated reasons behind students’ decisions to reveal and conceal their depression to their online science instructors.
2019-2021
Undergraduate research, Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences
Principle Investigator: Dr. Michael Angilletta
Investigated the energy investment of offensive and defensive abilities of virile crayfish (Faxonius virilis). For this project, I collected morphological and performance data in crayfish. Additionally, I was involved in animal husbandry and general lab care.
2018-2020
Undergraduate research, Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences
Principle Investigator: Dr. Sara E. Brownell
In a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE), we have investigated reasons that contribute to students’ decision to persist in their undergraduate research experiences. Our team developed a nationwide survey that was sent out to 26 R1 institutions and developed a coding rubric to code and analyze data from over 750 student responses.
Field Experience
2023
Vida Marina, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Participated in diurnal patrolling on a nesting beach. Activities included walking the beach to locate new nests or hatched nests. New nests were marked, measured, and encircled. Hatched nests were excavated to identify remaining hatchlings, count total numbers of hatched eggs vs unhatched, and identify the stage of the unhatched eggs.
2023
Chelonia, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Participated in nocturnal patrolling on a nesting beach. Activities included walking the beach to locate, identify, and collect morphological data from nesting leatherbacks.
2021-Present
Health Assessment in Sea Turtles Field Monitoring Excursions, Baja California Sur, Mexico
•  Engaged in monitoring assessments of green and hawksbill turtles in Baja California Sur, Mexico. I learned how to capture sea turtles using different techniques, collect morphological data, and tag them.
2021
Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona
Participated in a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sampling event that included working with deer and elk heads. The sampling process involved cutting into the neck area of the animal to extract the retropharyngeal lymph nodes. I also learned how to age deer and elk based on tooth wear and replacement.