I am an assistant professor in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. I started at OSU in 2003, in the Department of Zoology in the College of Arts and Sciences. In 2006, I helped to form a new department at OSU, teaming with faculty from the departments of Forestry and Plant and Soil Sciences to consolidate expertise in land management and applied ecology in one new department.

I grew up in beautiful central New York State, and earned my undergrad degree (B.S. in Natural Resources) from Cornell. From there, I headed south to Williamsburg, VA, and earned a Master’s degree in Biology from William and Mary. I stayed in Virginia for a few more years, working for the state in the Department of Conservation. From there, I headed to Pennsylvania and started working toward a Ph.D. in Ecology at Penn State. After obtaining my degree at Penn State, I stuck around for a few more years as a Research Associate with the Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center and part-time Instructor in the School of Forest Resources.

I’ve been interested in wildlife (especially birds) for as long as I can remember. If there is one pervasive theme to my research, teaching, and personal life, it probably lies in my desire to share my enthusiasm for nature with others, and the hope that new-found empathy will spur greater awareness of, and dedication to, wildlife conservation.