Education & Research

Education

  • M.S., Marine Environmental Science, Nova Southeastern University, 2016
  • B.S., Environmental Science, magna cum laude, Muskingum University, 2012

Research

I have experience in implementing a broad range of natural resources programs, such as the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP). My research experiences in environmental science started in New Albany, OH, and developed further at Muskingum University with research assistantships, where I expanded my professional practices of environmental stewardship by evaluating and reporting assessments for university poster forums. I built a foundation with environmental management by identifying goals, priorities, and objectives to resolve natural resource and easement issues in New Albany, OH. There, I applied practices of conservation or natural and cultural resources management. I furthered this passion for environmental consulting by continuing an active research ethic during my college career. During the four years of higher-level education, I coauthored three scientific analysis papers on different topics covering the reproductive success of grassland birds protected under the Endangered Species Act, the water quality of the Saltcreek Watershed with an emphasis on Farm Bill Programs, and the ion selectivity of natrolite for industrial use to remove lithium from polluted waters. I have provided interpretations of multivariate statistics that analyze water quality and other natural resource issues to be presented in scientific conference forums.

2014 – 2016: Post-hooking Behavior of Fishes on Commercial Pelagic Longline Gear and Swordfish Buoy Gear Using TDR Data, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL

  • Determine possible relationships between near-surface oceanographic features and observed fishing depths of PLL gear and quantitatively compare post-hooking behavior patterns between and within different species of pelagic fishes in the western Atlantic Ocean.
  • Analyze the effects of wind speed and direction, vertical current shear, fish species captured by the gear, and occasional interactions with other ships on post-hooking movements, time to mortality, fishing efficiency, and fishing selectivity.
  • Goal: Provide information for fisheries managers and fishermen to increase their targeting success and to identify measures to reduce the bycatch mortality for pelagic species of concern between the time of hooking and the time of haul gear retrieval.

2012: Demographic Comparisons of Hydro-fracture Well Locations, Water Retrieval, and Waste in Ohio, Muskingum University, New Concord, OH

  • Environmental justice implications of hydraulic fracturing operations. Environmental justice = the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, age, color, national origin, or income concerning the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
  • Goal: Investigate the following questions: Are hydraulic fracturing activities occurring disproportionately in or near communities with environmental justice concerns? Are the physical well locations disproportionately positioned near disadvantaged communities? Is the water disproportionately withdrawn from resources that are distributed to disadvantaged communities for hydraulic fracturing processes? Is wastewater from operations disproportionately treated or disposed of in or near disadvantaged communities?

2011: Time-Resolved Ion Selectivity Studies on Natrolite, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY

2010: Temporal Study of Water Quality in the Salt Creek Watershed, Muskingum University, New Concord, OH

2009: Reproductive Success of Grassland Birds on a Reclaimed Surface Mine, The Wilds, Cumberland, OH

2006 – 2008: MAD Scientist & Associates LLC and New Albany Environmental Science Program

Conference Presentations & Proceedings:

2012: National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates, Western Kentucky University Science Poster Forum

2012: ACS Central Region Conference

2011: International Conference on Karst Hydrology and Ecosystems

2011: AMS Conference on Climate Adaption

2011: Muskingum University Science Fall Forum

2010: Muskingum University Science Fall Forum

2009: Muskingum University Science Fall Forum