I earned my Ph.D. in Natural Resource Sciences with a specialization in science education research. My research examined how students reason about complex socio-scientific issues, including climate change, extreme weather, environmental equity, and other socially relevant scientific challenges. I develop and evaluate evidence-based instructional strategies and assessments that promote critical thinking, meaningful engagement, and inclusive classroom participation. Previously, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher in biology education at Middle Tennessee State University, where I contributed to research on undergraduate students’ science communication skills and their ability to communicate about culturally controversial scientific topics. I also served as a postdoctoral research associate and instructor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, including as the instructor of Science Literacy 101, a high-enrollment interdisciplinary course connecting scientific reasoning with real-world civic decision-making. My broader experience includes curriculum development, qualitative and mixed-methods research, faculty and graduate instructor professional development, student mentorship, and the coordination of large-scale undergraduate learning experiences. I have also contributed to interdisciplinary initiatives focused on food, energy, and water systems and supported programs designed to strengthen community, belonging, and inclusion in higher education. I am a Global UGRAD Exchange Program alumna and a CIRTL Associate through the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning. At the core of my work is a commitment to making science and environmental education more inclusive, inquiry-driven, evidence-based, and connected to the complex challenges students and communities face.
