I obtained a BS in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Michigan in 2016, and earned a PhD in Environmental Geosciences and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Michigan State University in 2021. I investigated biogeochemical dynamics and the microbial ecology of a serpentinizing aquifer in California during my time in the Schrenk Lab at Michigan State. I am currently a research assistant professor at Michigan Technological University working with the Techtmann Lab investigating microbial community dynamics of plastic-degrading microbial consortia. My work in both science and education is driven by a desire to study the relationship between the earth and life sciences and to help students feel inspired about these topics as well.