UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA WORKSHOP
Using Digitized Herbarium Data in Research:
Applications for Ecology, Phylogenetics, and Biogeography.

This workshop provided hands-on training for students and professionals in South Africa. Topics included software use, data analysis, niche modeling with Maxent, georeferencing, and linking specimen data to phylogenetic trees. 

NEW SPECIES PODCAST
​WITH ZOE ALBION

On this podcast we talk a lot about natural history collections. In fact, a spot (or more) of collections work is pretty much required to describe a new species. But what actually counts as a natural history collection? How many are there in the world? And what happens to all of that juicy data waiting in the stacks to be worked on?  We talk about all of the different types of information that can be associated with specimens, the different resources researchers and non-researchers can use to access it, as well as some of the strengths and challenges to the way we build, use, and share museum data. 

GIRLS DO SCIENCE 2023! @ THE FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

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Looking at plants up close!
 On February 11th  we celebrate International Women and Girls in Science Day! At the Florida Museum of Natural History, all the labs and programs come together to share our research and encourage more female participation in science.

SACNAS 2022 - URBAN AND TROPICAL BIOBLITZ IN PUERTO RICO (OCT 2022)

Working with colleagues at the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras and those associated with the Luquillo LTER site, I helped to organize two BioBlitz events for the SACNAS conference. Both events were made possible by funding from the ESA SEEDS program and the iDigBio project, both of which are supported by the US National Science Foundation.
A group photo from the Tropical Forest BioBlitz in El Yunque National Forest
The whole group for the Tropical Forest BioBlitz in El Yunque National Forest. Photo by Alberto Lopez.
A group of 14 people in front of the El Yunque National Forest sign
The plant group!

IN DEFENSE OF PLANTS PODCAST (JUNE 2022)
​Insights from the Popcorn Flowers

SCIENCE ON TAP (2015-2020)

Science on Tap is a science communication event that I organized and coordinated during my PhD. Each month we provided training and support for two University of Missouri graduate students to present their science. Before leading the group, I participated as a speaker, presenting on the "Dogs of the Plant World", or Brassica oleracea (Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kale, and Kohlrabi). These plants have a polyploidy past meaning that they can have more than two copies of chromosomes which has allowed for them to have some very unique traits!
A few interviews by Paul Pepper on KBIA to promote Science on Tap events

TALKING BIOTECH PODCAST​ (FEB 2017)

Listen here!

DECODING SCIENCE BLOG (DEC 2017)

Read more here!

MARCH FOR SCIENCE (APRIL 2017)

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Giving a short talk on the importance of my work to the public.
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Getting ready to march with some friends from the biology department.

BENTON ELEMENTARY AFTER SCHOOL SCIENCE CLUB (2016) 

SeaWorld San Diego - Assistant Supervisor in Education (2008-2015)

Science communication has always been something I have been drawn toward. My sophomore year of undergrad, I began as an education specialist at Sea World San Diego. While during the first few years I only returned for the summer, after graduation I worked year round, eventually moving into an assistant supervisor role. During this assignment I focused on not only ensuring that I was sharing good science with the community, but that my employees were doing so as well. I also gave tours and coordinated day camp and sleepover programs.