I am a PhD candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCLA, advised by Greg Grether and Debra Shier. My dissertation is on the impacts of introduced species on native carnivore behavior and ecology. I explore management solutions from an integrative conservation lens.

I am most interested in a career researching applied conservation strategies, collaborating with managers and students.

Outside of work I enjoy painting, baking, and kayaking.

​photo: Cody Limber 2018

News

Fall 2022 - Field work, both in Mexico and locally, has ramped up! I'm grateful to the UCLA LAI institute for the opportunity to write a blog post on cacomixtles (ringtails) and how they are affected by global change. The first in-person booth at Exploring Your Universe since the pandemic was a great success too!

Summer 2022 - We returned from the Espiritu Santo archipelago! We set 27 cameras and saw a live ringtail at the campsite. It was paradise and I am looking forward to going again. I am grateful to receive grants from the UCLA Latin American Institute and the EEB department to support this work.

Spring 2022 - I have advanced to candidacy! We also received a grant from the Animal Behavior Society to support ringtail research in Mexico. Looking forward to coordinating travel this spring so I can get my hands on some data :^) Nada, a stellar undergrad honors researcher in our lab, is launching her study on attitudes and behaviors of residents of the Santa Monica Mountains towards wildlife! In just a two quarters, she has outlined research questions, designed a survey, gotten IRB approval, distributed a survey, analyzed data, and written her thesis. Go Nada!

Summer 2021 - I am thankful to the UCLA EEB department for awarding me a departmental quarter fellowship for the upcoming year! This summer I finished a CIRTL class: An Introduction to Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching. UCLA also sponsored my certification as a Wilderness First Responder. Many thanks to Claudia Alli at the UCLA field safety office for making this happen.
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Spring 2021 - Starting off the new year with funding from the La Kretz Center/Stunt Ranch Reserve! I'm also grateful to have received an Honorable Mention from the NSF GRFP.

Fall 2020 - We are starting the Santa Monica Mountain ringtail study at Stunt Ranch. Such a beautiful reserve! I'm incredibly grateful to the Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society and the UC Natural Reserve System for funding our research in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Summer 2020 - Yay! My first first-author manuscript was accepted at the Journal of Mammalian Evolution! Work is slow during the pandemic but this was a happy milestone. The manuscript is now available online here. Time for the ice cream :)
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Fall 2019 - I am starting my PhD journey in the EEB department at UCLA. I'm excited to begin my doctoral research with my advisors, Greg Grether and Debra Shier!

Summer 2019 - I graduated! I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship and opportunities I received at Berkeley. Students at the University of Dubuque have begun working on a lot of fun research projects. This year we will present new research findings at NASBR!

Forestry platform presentation in Russia - 3rd place! (2016)

Field work near Iquitos, Peru (2018)

Only if we understand, will we care.
Only if we care, will we help.
Only if we help shall all be saved.
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~​Jane Goodall