I am a MSc student in the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences at the University of British Columbia. I'm a part of Dr. Isla Myers-Smith's research group (Team Shrub!).
I'm passionate about biodiversity and ecology. My current favourite animal is the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) but this changes frequently (even week by week!). Really, I'm just amazed by the incredible diversity of life on our planet.
My current research focuses on understanding how climate-induced shrub expansion impacts animal species composition and habitat use in Arctic tundra ecosystems. During my undergrad, I worked on developing a cryopreservation protocol for the endangered shortnose sturgeon's (Acipenser brevirostrum) oogonial stem cells as an ex-situ conservation strategy with Dr. Matthew Litvak.
- Climate Change and Ecosystem Dynamics: I am particularly interested in how warming temperatures influence vegetation change, such as the encroachment of shrubs into the tundra, and how this affects wildlife.
- Wildlife Monitoring: My research utilizes wildlife cameras and autonomous recording units (ARUs) to monitor species occupancy, biodiversity, and activity patterns in the northern Yukon.
- Data Analysis and Ecological Modeling: I enjoy using statistical and computational tools to analyze ecological data, seeking to unravel patterns in habitat use and species interactions under changing environmental conditions.
I am studying the expansion of shrubs into Arctic tundra and its implications for wildlife habitat use. This work involves expanding a network of wildlife cameras and ARUs across tundra sites to track animal occupancy and habitat use as the climate warms.