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I grew up in Iowa and followed two generations and some siblings to Iowa State University. As an undergraduate student in Forestry I took courses in wildlife care, forest and wildlife ecology, and ecosystem management, and completed a minor in Hispanic Studies. When looking for graduate programs, I knew I wanted to continue my education in conservation and natural resources, specifically the prairie ecosystems I grew up with on and near my parent's farms in Iowa. My research involves nutrient input through dairy manure in prairie ecosystems and how this might impact the growth and development of plant communities and the abundance and diversity of pollinator communities.

Outside of work, I love to travel and experience different cultures, places, and peoples as often as I can. When I can’t be travelling, I spend most of my time with my family/friends/dogs, hiking, running, reading, watching inaccurate police procedural crime drama tv, and collecting rocks.