I’m a forest and fungal ecologist, originally from middle Tennessee, and I currently serve as Faculty in Ecology and Director of Academic Advising & Administration at Outer Coast. Before moving to Sitka, I taught interdisciplinary courses as a Lecturer in Civic, Liberal, and Global Education at Stanford University, where I earned my PhD in Ecology and Evolution with a minor in Education.

My research focuses on the symbiotic relationships between plants and fungi, particularly how these partnerships shape coastal forests amid global changes. I combine field and greenhouse studies with molecular techniques to make visible the largely unseen diversity of fungi that act as a hidden control panel of the forest. Here in Southeast Alaska’s temperate rainforests, I’m exploring the role fungi play in transferring marine-derived nutrients from spawning Pacific salmon into the forest ecosystem. In the coastal redwood forests of northern California, I’ve studied how soil microbial compositional shifts in response to high severity wildfire can reshape seedling recruitment and forest recovery. Through these projects, my work aims to reveal how fungi not only support plant growth but also drive ecosystem resilience, influencing the future of forests in the face of climate change.

In my teaching, I strive to create a student-centered, inquiry-based environment where curiosity, problem-solving, and respect are at the core of learning. My classes equip students with the skills to ask and explore complex questions about the natural world, preparing them to address ecological and social challenges through observation, communication, and practical application. By fostering systems-thinking, I encourage students to look beyond isolated facts and consider the interactions among organisms, environments, and communities. I support diverse student pathways—whether in research, teaching, or environmental management—by helping them navigate the interconnectedness and complexities of ecosystems and social-ecological systems. In the classroom, I encourage students to draw on their own lived experiences to critically explore and expand the stories we tell about humanity and the natural world.