More About Me
I received my BS in Biological Sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) last December. I started my PhD in Dr. Shizuka's lab in the School of Biological Sciences at UNL in August of this year, supported by a National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT). My research focus is how culturally transmitted behavioral traits affect ecosystem resilience at multiple scales of biological organization.
I worked for Dr, Shizuka this spring, where I managed a new RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) bird feeder project at the Pioneers Park Nature Center. We are continuing this research in the coming winter months, using custom feeders outfitted with RFID antennas (pictured left) to study the winter behavior of birds that participate in mixed-species flocks. I built a weather station controlled by an Arduino Uno to collect fine-scale weather data on-site in conjunction with the RFID feeders. Using the weather station and RFID feeders, I asked questions about the effects of weather on feeding rates of RFID-tagged birds.
I enjoy research in any capacity. I love hands-on field work where I am able to observe and interact with wildlife firsthand, but I also enjoy the challenges wrought by complex statistical analyses. While finishing my bachelor's at UNL, I sought every opportunity to gain research experience to prepare for graduate school. During my two years working for Dr. Fontaine at the Nebraska Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit (NECFWRU), I gained experience in field work as well as analytical skills. A large portion of my work at NECFWRU included pheasant and hunter research in Nebraska. I also worked with the Nebraska Canid Project, managing camera trap data and writing a formal research paper for my Cabela's-funded research project on the effects of weather and length of deployment on camera trap detection.
Some of my broad research interests include: individual variation in social and mating behaviors, the evolution and function of social groups and pair bonds, social network structure, effects of anthropogenic change on ecosystem structure and function, and the effects of climate change on animal movement and behavioral plasticity.
I worked for Dr, Shizuka this spring, where I managed a new RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) bird feeder project at the Pioneers Park Nature Center. We are continuing this research in the coming winter months, using custom feeders outfitted with RFID antennas (pictured left) to study the winter behavior of birds that participate in mixed-species flocks. I built a weather station controlled by an Arduino Uno to collect fine-scale weather data on-site in conjunction with the RFID feeders. Using the weather station and RFID feeders, I asked questions about the effects of weather on feeding rates of RFID-tagged birds.
I enjoy research in any capacity. I love hands-on field work where I am able to observe and interact with wildlife firsthand, but I also enjoy the challenges wrought by complex statistical analyses. While finishing my bachelor's at UNL, I sought every opportunity to gain research experience to prepare for graduate school. During my two years working for Dr. Fontaine at the Nebraska Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit (NECFWRU), I gained experience in field work as well as analytical skills. A large portion of my work at NECFWRU included pheasant and hunter research in Nebraska. I also worked with the Nebraska Canid Project, managing camera trap data and writing a formal research paper for my Cabela's-funded research project on the effects of weather and length of deployment on camera trap detection.
Some of my broad research interests include: individual variation in social and mating behaviors, the evolution and function of social groups and pair bonds, social network structure, effects of anthropogenic change on ecosystem structure and function, and the effects of climate change on animal movement and behavioral plasticity.