EDUCATION
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Bioenergetics of extremophiles
I am currently characterizing the thermodynamics of microbial growth for organism that live in low-pH and high-temperature environments. These organisms grow by getting energy from sulfur and/or iron metabolisms.
2013- Present
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
PhD Candidate, Earth and Space Sciences & Astrobiology
Bioenergetics in response to energy availability
Energy requirements of an organism will change as their environment changes. I am specifically interested in measuring the change of energy demands for microbes surviving in energy source-limited environments.
Heavy metal toxicity in acidophilic and thermophilic microbes
Many acid-loving microorganisms have a high tolerance for various heavy metals. I am interested in the strategies they use to prevent toxic metals from interfering with their cell cycle and survival.
High-temperature nitrogen fixation
Methanogens living around hydrothermal vents are able to fix nitrogen at record high temperatures and may contain valuable information on the origin of nitrogen fixation. I am studying the structure of the nitrogenase from different methanogens to learn more about the origin and evolution of nitrogen fixation.
2008- 2012
Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH
B.S. Biology, Minor Geology
Magna Cum Laude
 2017-08-19 15.13.20 |  2016-06-22 12.19.20 |
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 DSC_0299_edited_edited |  2017-08-17 12.20.47-2 |
 IMG_6160_2 (2) |  IMG_6246 |
 2017-06-18 10.14.10 HDR |  2016-06-19 15.12.45 |
PERSONAL INTERESTS
My research keeps me primarily inside the laboratory. Thankfully, through the Astrobiology program at UW, I have been able to visit places around the world to learn different aspects of the field in the natural world. I also like to explore the Pacific Northwest when possible -- running, hiking, biking, oh my!