I am an ecologist broadly interested in how invasive plants alter ecosystem functioning in aquatic habitats. I am particularly fascinated by the ways invasive plants can change the structure and function of their associated invertebrate communities. For the last 10 years, I have been using invasive plants in the tidal marshes of the San Francisco Bay-San Joaquin Delta area to understand these concepts. Though I consider myself an ecologist and wetland ecologist first and foremost, I also confidently wear the hats of invasion biologist, restoration ecologist, and conservation scientist.
Like so many passionate people, when I’m not actively doing science, I’m probably talking about it. Over a decade of experience in competitive speech and debate, from middle school through the collegiate level, has taught me that having good ideas is only the first step to making a positive change. I’m a passionate scientific communicator, and I am always seeking to improve my skills in this area. I co-maintain the science outreach blog Sweet Tea, Science with my callabo-bestie Meridith Bartley (https://mlbartley.com/). We write about the graduate school experience, ecology, statistics, and what it means to be actual living scientists.
