I am a proud Texas Longhorn raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Growing up in an urban area, I often sought out public lands to explore, reflect, and connect with nature. That early love for the outdoors has grown into a lifelong passion for protecting the natural and cultural landscapes that make such experiences possible.
I earned my B.A. in Geography and Sustainability Studies from The University of Texas at Austin, where I developed a strong foundation in ecological science, geospatial analysis, and sustainability. One of the highlights of my undergraduate experience was participating in the Botswana Field School under Dr. Thoralf Meyer. There, I helped catalog over 20 species of woody and herbaceous plants in the Kalahari Desert to support fire risk assessment and sustainable ranching practices.
After UT, I served as a high school teacher while pursuing my M.S. in Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. My graduate work reflects a blend of science, design, and communication. In a recent project, I analyzed a 500-acre property in Central Missouri using ESRI’s ArcPro to identify environmental hazards. I then developed agroforestry-based ecological solutions and presented them using Adobe Creative Suite to communicate complex data in a visually compelling way.
My work is grounded in values — curiosity, stewardship, and equity. I’m especially inspired by projects that combine community engagement and ecological restoration. For example, I’m interested in using tools like iNaturalist and GIS to map the historical and current ranges of species such as the Pawpaw/Umbi (Asimina triloba), identifying priority sites for riparian restoration and food production that also benefit underserved communities.
Whether through fieldwork, education, or data visualization, I strive to make science actionable and accessible. I’m excited to collaborate with organizations that share a commitment to conserving our natural and cultural heritage for future generations.