About Me
I am a marine and coastal resource manager working on impact-based environmental challenges. I received a Master of Environmental Management (MEM) degree from the Nowacek Bioacoustics and Engineering Lab at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment and the Duke University Marine Lab and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Connecticut College. I hold certificates in conservation biology, geospatial analysis, and community-based environmental management. My interests lie at the intersection of protected species management and policy, community-based conservation, and the Blue Economy. I came to Duke with a breadth of experiences, including tropical marine biology research, experiential teaching, and marine policy. My Master’s Project focused on practical approaches for reducing ocean noise by utilizing multi-sectoral dialogues and geo-processing technology. I joined the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) Office of Strategic Policy and International Affairs in 2022 where I lead the international environmental engagement and international marine sound portfolios and staff multiple international multilateral groups.
Education
2020-2022
Master of Environmental Management (MEM)
Duke University
• Co-founder and President of the Oceans@Duke Student Cabinet
• Earth and Ocean Sciences Tutor for Student-Athletes taking ENV 231: Energy and Environment Course and BIO 157: The Dynamic Oceans
• Seminar Coordinator for the Ocean Policy Working Group
• Beaufort Representative for the Nicholas School Student Council
2014-2018
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Environmental Studies
Connecticut College
• Captain (2017-2018) and Member of the Connecticut College Women's Swim Team
• Selected Certificate Scholar in the Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment
• Co-Chair (2017-2018) and Member of the Student Activities Council
• Monologue Participant in Womxn's Empowerment Initiative
2016
Applied Marine Research Techniques
The School for Field Studies: Center for Marine Resource Studies
• Conducted directed research project on the triple bottom line and the shared-governance of seafood consumption
• Gained skills in experimental design, hypothesis testing, data gathering and analysis, and presentation of results to diverse audiences
• Carried out benthic surveys of shark habitats and tagging of lemon sharks, nurse sharks, black-tip reef sharks
• Conducted ethnographic interviews with South Caicos community members regarding food security
• Performed SCUBA reef fish surveys inside and outside marine protected areas to compare with the local catch
Experiences
2022-Present
Program Analyst, Strategic Policy and International Affairs
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
• Coordinates with team to successfully execute the Strategic Policy and International Affairs (SPIA) program within BOEM
• Collaborates with the Office of Environmental Programs’ Environmental Science Division and Environmental Assessment Division, including the Center for Marine Acoustics to disseminate relevant information and coordinate the review of international marine scientific research documents
• Assists leadership and staff to achieve strategic bureau goals by providing information on offshore energy, minerals, environmental science, ocean noise, other emerging issues, and strategic geopolitical issues, including leading the international and strategic engagement of environmental science and marine sound issues
• Supports external relations for SPIA including subject-matter expertise and secretarial support for international bilateral and multi-lateral fora
2022
Research Technician
Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment
• Collaborate with the Global Alliance for Managing Ocean Noise (GAMeON) to develop analytical report on practical approaches for reducing ocean noise associated with offshore renewable energy development
• Plan and execute GAMeON Workshop Two: “Practical Approaches for Reducing Ocean Noise Associated with Seismic Exploration”
• Support Nowacek Bioacoustics and Engineering Lab with field work, analysis, manuscript writing, agenda setting, and strategic action
2007-2010
Sussman Fellow, Sarasota Dolphin Research Program Intern
Mote Marine Laboratory
• Monitor dolphin populations by conducting boat-based photographic and drone identification surveys to collect and record behavioral, location, individual, and environmental data of the resident bottlenose dolphin groups, and additional data related to human-dolphin interactions
• Conduct research on the relationships between distributions of dolphins and their prey and factors that affect fish community ecology by sampling fish communities through purse seining techniques and collection of other environmental data
• Act as lab technician logging field data, analyzing acoustic data, and maintaining research vessels and field equipment
2020 & 2017
National Tourism and Recreation Intern
NOAA Ocean Service
• Developed communication strategy and action plan re: responsible recreation and sustainable tourism within the National Marine Sanctuary System
• Supported communications team with the travel and tourism strategy and sustainable tourism partnerships
• Partnered with the National Park Trust to create virtual visitation content and resources for the Park Passport app
2019-2020
Marine Science Instructor
Catalina Island Marine Institute
• Planned experiential curriculum and lead lessons re: coastal and pelagic oceanography, invertebrate zoology, ichthyology, shark biology, marine mammalogy, astronomy, and island ecology
• Organized activities to facilitate team and community building, critical thinking, cross-cultural issues, conflict resolution, self-awareness, communal living, and health and safety
• Acted as a lab technician and aquarist, by conducting marine fauna husbandry, collecting samples during plankton tows, and maintaining program equipment, including the dive locker and aquarium
• Coordinated safety and risk management for all program participants by facilitating communication between student groups to resolve issues and disciplinary problems
• Acted as Program Coordinator to organize and manage educational programs for visiting groups
2019
Policy and Conservation Intern
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
• Attended hearings on the Hill to engage on legislation and regulatory actions directly affecting sanctuaries, such as natural resources and the Blue Economy
• Planned and managed a national fly-in with local sanctuary constituents to maintain and increase sanctuaries budget and appropriations levels
• Assisted in the planning and management of Capitol Hill Ocean Week: the premier ocean policy conference held annually in DC
• Supported communities interested in nominating and designating new sanctuaries by working with partners to connect local sanctuary leaders to their federal elected officials
• Created and promoted communications materials and products re: current policy, conservation science within the Sanctuary System, and National Marine Sanctuaries Act's 50th Anniversary
2018
Tropical Marine Biology Intern
Cape Eleuthera Institute
• Assisted with Exuma Sound Ecosystem Research Project re: the pelagic food web with use of fish aggregation devices, surface transects, shark tagging, lavage and muscle, fin, and blood sampling
• Supported Coral Restoration team with propagation and out-planting of coral tetrapod’s to promote healthy reefs
• Supported Sea Turtle Research team with drone surveys and tagging and attaching an animal borne camera to green sea turtles to observe sea turtle behavior, dynamics, morphologies, and predator prey relationships
SKILLS
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
O2 Administer
American Red Cross Lifeguard
NAUI Rescue Diver
CPR, AED, & First Aid
French - Conversational Proficient
Contact Me
Please feel free to contact me via email with any questions and comments.
