Current Projects

Research

Mechanisms of community assembly in a dry Hawaiian woodland

My PhD research asks how nitrogen-fixing tree species used in restoration influence the understory plant community. I found that variation in plant traits (such as leaf lifespan, %N and carbon quality) among N-fixer species was great enough to drive differences in community assembly. Although no disturbed area resembles unburned woodland, shrub species absent from burned areas could survive there if they were actively planted despite changes to N cycling that favor exotic grasses.

Teaching

ES 128 | Foundations of Ecological Restoration

Ecosystem restoration involves making decisions: Which species / communities / ecosystems / landscapes do we value? What should and can be restored? What is the most effective way to move an ecosystem from a degraded state to a healthy, self-sustaining state? In this course, we apply ecological theory to the practice of ecosystem restoration. We discuss the biological, political, and cultural context in which restoration occurs, why restoration is important, and how we can use the scientific method and what we know about how ecosystems function to improve restoration success.

Activism

Advocacy | Community Organizing

As the legislative liaison for the UCSB Graduate Student Association, I lobbied for higher education funding and the ability for research assistants to unionize.

As lead organizer for UCSB's Student-Worker Union, I coordinated local communications and outreach activities to win fair pay and protections against harassment in our new contract.

As part of the Chancellors's Advisory Committee on the Status of Women, I co-authored a report on the experience of grad student parents at UCSB with recommendations for key policy changes.

Science Engagement + Outreach

Community service | Citizen science

I have participated in community-based invader removal and restoration projects in California, Hawaii and Brazil. I also taught 2nd grade students to design, implement, and present science experiments with SciTrek, and I count birds for Project FeederWatch.