I am an insect eco-physiologist and educator with a lifelong fascination for the natural world. Early experiences in France, Africa and California helped shape my scientific interests and my appreciation for the diversity of ecosystems and cultures. Following postdoctoral positions in South Africa and the US, I spent more than a decade on the faculty at Colorado College where I taught courses ranging from conservation biology and ecology to comparative animal physiology and medical entomology. At Cornell, my research focuses on insect metabolism and stress responses, building on a longstanding interest in mosquitoes and the physiological mechanisms underlying environmental stress tolerance and disease transmission. Mentoring undergraduate and graduate students is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work, and I am passionate about creating inclusive learning environments and helping students build the confidence, curiosity, and critical thinking skills that will serve them throughout their careers. Outside of work, I enjoy biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends—activities that continually remind me why I became a biologist in the first place.
