MY PROJECTS
PHD RESEARCH
My PhD work thus far includes an exploration into net ecosystem exchange and stability in a Colorado mountain system with warming and dominant species removal treatments, part of the WaRM Network.
FULBRIGHT RESEARCH GRANT
Mangroves are ecologically, economically, and socially important trees in the Philippines. I researched mangroves' carbon sequestration, the effectiveness of replanting efforts, and ongoing community management for climate change mitigation.
FOLIAR WATER UPTAKE IN MANGROVES
My senior thesis at Villanova University explored mangroves' ability to take up water through their leaves (foliar water uptake). We found mangroves were able to do this; interestingly, different species of co-occurring mangroves show differences in their foliar uptake.
NSF REU, SEVILLETA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
I explored the role that biological soil crusts may have as transporters of nutrients to plant roots. This is part of the fungal loop hypothesis. Destroying the biocrusts altered microbial communities in two desert dryland systems, grass and shrub dominated.
NSF REU, SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
I analyzed the geographic patterns and spatial distributions of endemic plant species of the Guiana Shield, a remote region of northern South America.