ABOUT ME
I grew up in Saratoga Springs, NY, where I spent my youth mountain biking, reading, and learning about computers. I decided to study biology after taking a course in botany my freshman year of college. In that class I discovered the field of ethnobotany, which drove my interest in the diversity of chemicals produced by plants. Now, my interests lie within how chemicals produced by plants and insects, as well as other types of information can influence the decisions that insects make.
EDUCATION
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Decision-making
How does the amount and type of information available influence decisions insects make?
2013 - 2019
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, IL
Doctor of Philosophy, Entomology
Evolution and maintenance
of chemical diversity
How do abiotic and biotic factors contribute to the diversity of chemicals produced by plants and insects?
Habitat Complexity
How does the structure of a habitat (e.g., plant diversity, size and location of habitat) influence
the decisions insects make? Are insects more successful in particular habitats?
Novel-interactions
What happens when insects are introduced into new habitats or encounter new host-plants?
2011 - 2013
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
Master of Science, Entomology
2005 - 2009
Moravian College
Bethlehem, PA
Bachelor of Science, Biology
