I am in the first year of the PhD program at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology where I am working in the lab of Dr. Steve Emslie.  I am a recent revert to the field of ornithology.  I had previously done bird biodiversity research before moving into the realms of ecotoxicology, physiology and behavior of fish.  I have now circled back to the bird world for my PhD work and research, but now I have brought my physiology and ecotoxicology background with me as tools to help address questions about avian species. 

For my dissertation research project, I am studying mercury contamination levels in coastal sparrow species living in local salt marshes.  Part of this research will involve traveling to their breeding grounds to sample populations there as well.  This will allow me to test for seasonal, subspecies and geographic trends in mercury exposure for these species. 

I recently completed a Master’s degree in Marine Biology at the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC where I studied the effects of fluoxetine (the active ingredient in the prescription antidepressant, Prozac) on sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus).  I examined lethal, physiological, and behavioral endpoints to help understand potential effects of exposure to this contaminant in estuarine ecosystems. 

I completed my undergraduate degree at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS where I majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry.  I was able to start my research career as an undergraduate by working on a USACE mitigated wetland site adjacent to the Missouri River.