One of my passions lies in exploring remote places and learning about the way people use and understand thier natural resources, particularly water and human byproduct.
Born and raised in Indiana I adopted a mid-west work ethic. After graduating from Hanover College with a double-major in Geology and Philosophy I moved to Asheville, North Carolina. There I cultivated a wide array of science teaching skills at Hanger Hall School for Girls . During my time in the classroom and leading weekly field trips I noticed that blending scientific inquiry and acknowledging varying cultural perspectives created a dynamic learning environment.
Later I narrowed my focus to water education in Western North Carolina. Through AmeriCorps Conserve, I served as a regional water education coordinator at RiverLink. I developed locally-based curriculum, created a 3D model illustrating the Urban Water Cycle, and collaborated on the educational video called Voices of the River.
In 2016 I graduated with a Masters of Science in Earth Science from North Carolina State University. There I studied under Dr. David McConnell and was part of the Geoscience Learning Process Research Group, which is the leading team of geoscience education researchers in the country. Click here to learn about my research.
Academic Education
PhD Candidate in Forestry and Natural Resources
Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia
Anticipated Graduation, Spring of 2023
Area of Emphasis: Water and Soil Science
Research Focus: Social-Environmental Systems of Water and Wastewater Systems
Master of Science in Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences
North Carolina State University, 2012 - 2014
Area of Specialization: Geoscience Education
Thesis Title: “What do Students Find Relevant in an Introductory Geology Course? Implications
for Changing Students’ Attitudes about the Relevance of Geoscience in Society.”
Bachelor of Arts in Geology and Philosophy
Hanover College, Indiana, 2001 – 2005
Thesis Research: Environmental and Cultural Impacts of the Three Gorges Dam Project, China
Professional Experience
Lab Instructor for Soils and Hydrology Course: University of Georgia, 2020 – Present
Created a new human-derived fertilizer and water and wastewater systems lab
Responsible for preparation and execution of labs
Introduced student-centered teaching practices to senior faculty
Field Researcher: Michigan Technological University, El Salvador, Summer 2021
Completed “Ethnographic Methods in International Residency”
Conducted community-based research on water resources and agriculture
Teaching Assistant for Intro to Sustainability: University of Georgia, 2019 – 2020
Led student-centered lectures to course of ~65 students on environmental topics
Managed assessments and grading
Consultant: Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, Pakistan, 2019
Collaborated with Organic Farm to create best practices for sustainable management
Facilitated workshops on function and production of biochar for soil amendment, and water filtration
Consultant: Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, India, 2019
Reviewed and revised water and sanitation education strategy for government-funded schools
Advised on the design and construction for a twin-pit toilet system
Visiting Instructor of Geology: Hanover College, Indiana, 2017 – 2018
Natural Hazards and Disasters course: scientific understanding, monitoring and forecasting of hazards, mitigation methods, and disaster risk reduction
Physical Geology courses (3): scientific methods, interpretation of landscapes, climate change, water and energy resources
Global Environmental Change course: environmental anthropology, sustainable building practices, water conflicts, and the impact of global warming on agriculture
Directed students in an independent study to build an Augmented Reality Sandbox
Lead an independent study on Earth Science Literacy and food systems
Mentored a student in geoscience education research on place-based learning
Director: Public Hygiene Lets Us Stay Human (PHLUSH), International, 2016 – Present
Developed educational materials for public and emergency management organizations
Conduct monthly board meetings with international team • Responsible for the governance of the 501c3 organization
Program Director: Ecovillage Training Center at The Farm, Tennessee, 2015 – 2017
Prepared lectures and developed curricula for: appropriate technology, wastewater reclamation, soil building, biochar, natural building, and renewable energy
Collaborated with undergraduate programs to create Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) immersion experiences
Mentored residential interns and apprentices during permaculture design certificate courses
Project Associate: Center for Geoscience and Society at American Geosciences Institute, 2015
Composed technical and interpretive portions for a National Science Foundation report
Designed surveys to determine the effectiveness of building a network of collaborators working to increase the geosciences in public education
Analyzed quantitative and qualitative results and created data visualizations
Research Assistant and Geology Lab Instructor: North Carolina State University, 2012-2014
Contributed to “Environmental Justice in the Geosciences”, InTeGrate Workshop, Science Education Research Center (SERC)
Modules: Scientific Method, Plate Tectonics, Rocks & Minerals, Volcanoes & Earthquakes, Geologic Time, Climate, Water & Energy Resources
Instructor: EcoEscuela El Manzano (Permaculture Institution), Chile, 2012 and 2016
Presented on: topography, soil horizons, identifying safe drinking water sources, natural building, seismic hazards, and creating anti-fragile systems
Facilitated the design process and construction of grey and black water systems
Conducted biological and chemical testing on wastewater systems
Watershed Education Coordinator: RiverLink (Nonprofit), North Carolina, 2009 – 2011
Taught over 100 water-based programs for schools (K-16), and community groups
Mentored undergraduate students during their internship
Trained over 20 volunteers to facilitate hands-on environmental programs
Invented the Urban HydroLink tool for water and wastewater systems education
Research Assistant: Las Cuevas Research Station, Belize, 2009
Supported field research effort to characterize trophic level and predator-prey relationships
Participated in trapping, tagging, and recording small rodents in a tropical rainforest
Science Teacher: Middle School for Girls, North Carolina, 2007 – 2009
Conducted weekly STEM focused field trips
Lectured and facilitated inquiry-based labs for physical and life sciences
Established curricula to meet NC State standards for science
Wilderness Guide: American Youth Foundation, Summers 2005 – 2008
Completed over 11,000 miles on bike, 100 miles in a canoe, and 10 miles of hiking trails with campers ranging in ages: 14 – 18 years
Community Leadership
President: American Water Resource Association, University of Georgia Chapter, 2019-2021
Organized river clean-up events
Participated in graduate associations events
Session Chair: Geological Society of America Conference, Indiana, USA, 2018
Session title: “Barriers, Misconceptions, and Progress in Improving Climate and Earth Science Literacy and Strategies for Communicating about Climate Change”
Hosted GSA 2017 Gold Medalist
Water System Consultant: Solheimar Ecovillage, Iceland, 2018
Lectured on topics of geology, natural building, toilet systems, and concepts of sustainability
Assessed the community’s ecological sanitation system and made recommendations to restore its functionality and maintenance
Facilitated team building activities with interns, volunteers, and community members
USAID Volunteer: Farmer-to-Farmer Program, Source Ecovillage, Jamaica, 2017
Evaluated sanitation practices and wastewater systems of a rural farming community
Made recommendations for container-based sanitation options as a way to increase sustainability and disaster preparedness
Keynote speaker at first annual Jamaica Toilet Summit – focus on disaster risk reduction
Project Leader: Kajsiab Community, Laos, 2014
Built a culturally appropriate toilet system for Hmong community
Resourced volunteers, funding, and materials in remote region of Laos
Science Communicator: Climate Alive, North Carolina, USA, 2013
Worked with scientists and film producers to create a public engagement video
Identified and communicated relevant climate change findings for local online resource
Program Developer and International Trip Leader, Jubilee! Community, 2010 – 2015
Developed and taught environmental philosophy programs to over 200 adults
Led a group of adults on a 2-week environmental and cultural tour through Ireland, 2013
Science Educator, Toledo Institute for Development & Environment: Belize, 2009
Worked with villagers to develop a strategy for improving the quality of the environment
Directed a place-based environmental education day camp for Creole students
AmeriCorps Conserve Volunteer, Western North Carolina, USA, 2010 -2011
Participated in community conservation efforts including trail maintenance, invasive species control, Hemlock treatments, river cleanup events, seed-banking, and stakeholder outreach
Academic Awards
Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science Grant, 2021
Kleiner Fellowship Award for Environmental Ethics, University of Georgia, 2019
Best Student Paper, Geological Society of America Geoscience and Society Division, 2016
Best Poster, Diversity, Cultural Competence, and International Education Symposium, 2015
River’s Institute and Richter Grant, Research Along the Yangtze River, 2005
Conference Presentations and Publications
“Students Value Using Regenerative Sanitation Systems: Undergraduates’ Response to Learning about Wastewater Systems and Options for Transforming Human Byproduct into a Natural Resource”, Rich Earth Summit, Online, 2022
“Insights and Learning Gains from a Novel Water and Wastewater Systems Module”, Earth Educators Rendezvous, Minneapolis, MN, 2022
“Ethnohydrology: Analysis of Water Systems in Monseñor Romero, El Salvador”, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Graduate School Symposium, Athens, GA, 2022
“Using Social-Ecological Systems Framework to Assess Adaptive Capacity for Regenerative Sanitation Systems”, Rich Earth Summit, 2021
“An Exploration of Students’ Perception of Water and Wastewater Systems”, Georgia Water Resource Conference, Athens, GA, 2021
“GeoCamp Iceland’s Integration of the Earth Science Literacy Principles into its Experiential Educational Programing.” Geological Society of America. Indianapolis, IN, November 2018
“When a Flush Toilet System Isn’t an Option: The Need for Resilience and Innovation” Jamaica Toilet Summit, Kingston, Jamaica, November 2017
“A Call for More Comprehensive Disaster Sanitation Preparedness.” Public Hygiene Lets Us Stay Human Website. October 2017
“Building Resilience through Disaster Preparedness.” Intentional Communities Conference. Twin Oaks, VA, September 2017
“A Call for More Experiential Earth Systems Education: Connecting Education Centers with the Demand for Place-based Learning.” Geological Society of America. Denver, CO, October 2016
“Perceptions of the Relevance of Geoscience and Society: The Human-Earth Related Earth Science Literacy Principals? Students Identify Certain Topics as Applicable for Decisionmaking for a More Sustainable Future.” Geological Society of America. Baltimore, MD, November 2015
“The Relevance of Geoscience as Viewed by Undergraduate Students of Varying Cultural Perspectives.” Diversity, Cultural Competence, and International Education Symposium. Raleigh, NC, November 2014
“Starting to Flip the Class: Quality of Student’s Pre-class Work Improves with the Use of Online Just-in-Time Teaching Methods.” Geological Society of America. Charlotte, NC, November 2013
“Women of the Americas Sustainability Initiative.” Center for Research, Development, and Teaching of Permaculture (CIDEP). El Bolson, Argentina, February 2012
“Ethnohydrology in an Urban Environment: A New Working Model and Curriculum of the Urban Water System.” Sustaining the Blue Planet: Global Water Education. Bozeman, MT, 2011