Influenced by my past, I make service opportunities an important part of my life. I learned that education is empowering and allows us to pass the power along to others. I am particularly drawn to serve others by working to improve the environment and by educating others on the importance of sustainability and conservation. I have a proven track record of active and innovative education in and out of a classroom. I have also been successful in encouraging others to get involved either physically or financially in environmental initiatives and research. One notable example was at the end of my undergraduate career, I coordinated Ohio Wesleyan’s first annual Earth Fest: a music and arts festival that promoted environmental awareness. Half of the raised funds went to aid in natural disaster relief in Haiti, and the other half went to beginning a revolving environmental fund at Ohio Wesleyan.

 

Undergraduate Mentorship: The emphasis in my mentorship is on the students designing and implementing their own research projects, and development of writing skills, scientific inquiry frameworks, fundamental research techniques, and dissemination abilities are also important.  I work closely with the undergraduates that I mentor in all areas: writing a personal statement and curriculum vitae; reading and discussing primary literature; teaching field and laboratory techniques; and exploring and applying to graduate schools, grants, and internships.

 

K-12 Outreach and Education: I am dedicated to helping others learn and training the next generation of scientists. I have been coordinator and active participant in countless Elementary School Science Events and Women in Science Events. For 5 years, I was also a core member of the team responsible for Science Saturdays at the University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum.

 

 

 

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