OUTREACH

Increasing accessibility to science is extremely important to me. As someone who grew up without access or funding to foundational educational resources, I understand the need to improve accessibility within community and educational institutions. Through my outreach efforts, I strive to share knowledge with and increase accessibility for underserved groups. I further engage community through mentoring youth interested in pursuing careers or education in STEM fields.
The fields of ecology and evolution, genetics/genomics, and conservation greatly benefit from BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color) perspectives and contributions. As such, I continue to advocate for increased representation, inclusion, and amplification of diverse perspectives.
If you're interested in learning more about the Indigenous-centered work I am involved in, please see: Indigenous Excellence tab.

One way I engage in community science is through partnering with my local zoo! I connect with the local community and get them excited about science. When I present about insects and other taxa, children and adults alike may change their perspective on things they once saw as "creepy", "weird", or "bad"... I like everyone to walk away learning something new - with a positive opinion and striving to care for all animals that contribute to a healthy ecosystem!

Outreach: Local Ecology
& Conservation Action

Urban Ecologists Program:
Training Rochester's Youth

Inspiring Community:
Sustainability & Conservation

I've also worked at regulatory agencies focused on management of invasive species. Here, I advocated for Indigenous Environmental Justice by collaborating with the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force to ensure traditional methods of invasive species removal were supported. I curated a team of federal employees and trained them on cultural competency to support this project. While in this role, I trained and mentored Native youth interested in pursuing careers in STEM.

Environmental Justice for Indigenous Communities

Invasive Species Education and Land Management Training

Collaboration with Tribal Nations to Ensure Tribal Rights are Upheld