Setting up acoustic equipment at Northerly Island
About Me
Welcome to my website! I'm an ecologist based in Chicago focused on using acoustic monitoring, spatial ecology, and community science to better understand wildlife relationships in urban ecosystems. While the majority of my research surrounds acoustic monitoring of birds and bats, I am always interested in collaborating on novel projects. Feel free to get in contact via the links at the bottom of the page!
Beyond just my scientific work, I'm an educator and naturalist with a strong passion for outreach. In my spare time I enjoy birding, working in my garden, and hiking. Check out the blog and sightings tabs to learn more about what I get up to outside of science!
Research Interests
My research is focused on better understanding wildlife in urban ecosystems through passive acoustic monitoring and community science. While most of my current experience lies in bat and bird acoustic monitoring, I am interested in expanding my research into other passive monitoring systems. I am also driven by my love for community science and cherish nothing more than connecting new folks to their local wildlife through research. Below are three main themes that guide my work!
Field work on the Old Post Office green rooftop
Acoustic Monitoring
While wildlife monitoring is undoubtedly crucial for the conservation and understanding of endangered species, some monitoring methods can be invasive, creating challenges for both ecologists and wildlife. Passive acoustic monitoring minimizes such concerns. Furthermore, autonomous recording allows ecologists to survey species composition in remote locations and over relatively long periods of time.
I use autonomous recording units (ARUs) to study aerial wildlife including bats and birds. To do this I use field-collected data, call vetting techniques, and acoustic data processing programs such as Sonobat and Cornell's BirdNet to tell stories about how urban wildlife interacts with the cities we live in.
A tree height raster created using LiDAR data
Spatial Analysis
Since a kid I have always been infatuated with maps and geography. Fond memories of leading my family around trail systems and charting the woods behind our house developed into what is now a strong affinity for answering my research questions through spatial analysis. With growing skills in GIS and ecological statistics, I am excited to see where my love for spatial analysis leads me.
My current spatial work surrounds using LiDAR data to analyze tree height and canopy in local Chicago parks. This landscape analysis in tandem with volunteer collected acoustic bat data will inform future urban planning decisions and our understanding of bats in urban ecosystems.
A training walk for the Bat Tracker program
Community Science
My strong belief that building up communities in turn supports local wildlife informs my passion for community science. From fostering new relationships with the outdoors to hearing the public's anecdotal wildlife sightings, I value working with volunteer cohorts as an ecologist. The benefits of community science are unmistakable and I am so excited to see the field continue to grow.
Much of my experience in the community science and volunteer monitoring space comes from my time as the Community Science Coordinator for the Bat Tracker program. This program, led by the assistant director at the Urban Wildlife Institute, trains volunteers in collecting acoustic bat data at their local green space. This was an incredible opportunity and truly solidified my passion for community science. Check out an article describing my work on this project here.
Education & Outreach
I am committed to sharing my love for wildlife and ecological research with audiences across the Chicagoland area. Whether leading educational events, wildlife walks, presentations, or tabling, I connect Chicago communities with nature in order to build urban environmental literacy and inspire curiosity for local wildlife.
Leading a camera trap educational program at London Middle School in Wheeling
Science Communication
I currently work as a Program Instructor at the Evanston Ecology Center. In this role I lead nature-focused programming such as ecology camps, nature walks, and classroom visits. I also work as an educator with Urban Rivers where I lead educational programs across Chicagoland. I am always looking for ways to expand my network and reach new audiences, please feel free to reach out if you want your classroom/nature preserve/organization to be my next visit!
Collecting bat data at the Wild Mile during the 2025 Bat Tracker Big Sit
Program Development
When I am not actively leading educational programs, I am working hard to develop new programs for educators like myself to use. It is imperative that my work remains open source and is accessible to wide audiences. If you wish to learn more about my programs check out the Programs tab. There you'll find downloadable zipped folders for each educational program I have created. If you decide to use one of these programs please let me know! While you are not obligated to, I always find joy in learning where my programs end up!