Assistant Professor of Biology - Queens University of Charlotte - Charlotte, NC
(2024-08)
- Developed a research collaboration with the Carolina Wildlands Foundation
- Coordinated a herpetological study with several universities (Francis Marion, Wingate, Winthrop)
- Designed and constructed a network of artificial cover objects (ACOs) across a 1600-acre property
- Sampled amphibians for pathogens using sterile swabs
- Demonstrated DNA extraction technique from swab samples to an undergraduate research mentee
- Implemented habitat assessment techniques to evaluate whether habitat characteristics influence the distribution and abundance of herpetofauna
Postdoctoral Teaching and Mentoring Fellow - Salisbury University - Salisbury, MD
(2023-08 - 2024-07)
SEC Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow - University of Tennessee, Knoxville - Knoxville, TN
(2022-08 - 2023-07)
Postdoctoral Fellow - University of Tennessee Center for Wildlife Health - Knoxville, TN
(2022-08 - 2023-08)
Supported by $2.75M grant (#2207922) awarded by the National Science Foundation, Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases Program.
- Designed laboratory experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of plant-derived fungicides as a treatment for Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans infections
- Evaluated the toxicity of plant-derived fungicides on an amphibian host species (Notophthalmus viridescens)
- Performed diagnostic testing of amphibian pathogens collected through a U.S. trade network of pet amphibian businesses
- Collected microbiome samples from wild amphibians to evaluate differences in microbial communities that result from variation in population densities
Ph.D. Candidate - University of Tennessee Center for Wildlife Health - Knoxville, TN
(2018-08 - 2022-08)
Supported by $2.5M grant (#1814520) awarded by National Science Foundation, Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases Program.
- Performed laboratory challenge experiments that evaluated how environmental temperature influences Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) chytridiomycosis disease progression and host susceptibility
- Updated Bsal habitat suitability maps for North America based on temperature dependent susceptibility of a model host species
- Measured how Bsal susceptibility differs among amphibian host life-stages
- Determined how probability of Bsal transmission relates to infection latency and host infection load
- Performed a transmission experiment that measured the impacts infected carcasses could have on disease outbreaks
- Evaluated the effectiveness of fungal zoospore removal by zooplankton species
- Used estimates of species susceptibility and species distribution data in ArcGIS to create risk maps for Bsal emergence across the United States
- Performed challenge experiments to determine the pathogenesis of Bsal chytridiomycosis
- Performed an experiment evaluating the effects of multiple stressors (sediment, herbicide, pathogens) on larval hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
- Evaluated the efficacy of plant-derived fungicides on Bsal zoospores
- Developed methods for determining zoospore cell viability using flowcytometry
MS Research - University of Tennessee Center for Wildlife Health - Knoxville, TN
(2016-08 - 2018-07)
- Evaluated the effects of reoccurring ranavirus mortality events on amphibian populations within Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Measured ranavirus infection prevalence in post-metamorphic and larval amphibian communities from two ephemeral wetlands
- Assessed wetland visitation by humans and wildlife using camera traps
- Coordinated research activities with Great Smoky Mountains National Park staff and undergraduate volunteers
Research Technician - University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture - Knoxville, TN
(2015-08 - 2016-08)
Lab: University of Tennessee, Center for Wildlife Health
- Performed Ranavirus and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis susceptibility challenge experiments on several amphibian species
- Cultured and tittered Ranavirus isolates for challenge experiments
- Evaluated how poor biosecurity while conducting field-based research could contribute to amphibian disease outbreaks
- Measured how commonly utilized herbicides impact eastern hellbender susceptibility to Ranavirus and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infections
