Outreach & Engagement

To solve ecological challenges, our science has to go beyond knowledge accumulation and must include communication, access, and inclusion. Over the last ten years, I've worked on disseminating science beyond academia and broadening participation in STEM. While working at the University of Minnesota and Monarch Joint Venture, I generated open-access research summaries, fact sheets, blog posts, social media content, and gave presentations to a variety of audiences. I also designed and developed an online course about pollinator ecology, current research, and strategies for protecting our ecosystems, and engaged hundreds of individuals in butterfly citizen science projects.

I really enjoy mentoring and providing students of all backgrounds with a platform to become involved in scientific research. For the last three years, I've mentored K-12 students via Letters to a Pre-Scientist, a pen-pal program that connects students in low-income communities with STEM professionals. I've also designed and conducted educational activities for low-income K-12 schools, participated in multicultural events, engaged the public via community events, classes, and workshops, and mentored >15 undergraduate and early-career researchers. I am currently supporting two undergraduate students on independent research projects at CSU.