I’m a marine scientist, artist, and explorer driven by an endless curiosity about the natural world. Whether I’m conducting research, creating art, or traveling somewhere new, I’m always searching for a deeper understanding of the connections between people, wildlife, and the environments we share.

Growing up in the California desert, I somehow fell in love with the ocean long before I ever lived near it. Through books about deep-sea creatures, afternoons spent making art, and countless dolphin figurines collected with my mom, I became fascinated by the life hidden beneath the water’s surface. That childhood curiosity eventually grew into a career in marine science, but it also sparked a lifelong passion for exploring, creating, and sharing the beauty of the natural world.

Science is how I ask questions. My interest in environmental toxicology began when my dad introduced me to the work of Rachel Carson and encouraged me to think critically about how human actions shape our environment. Today, I’m a PhD candidate in the Marine Science and Conservation program at Duke University and a member of the Rittschof Lab, where I study how novel human-made materials used in marine environments affect aquatic organisms. My research explores impacts ranging from cellular processes to whole-organism behavior, with the goal of helping us make more informed and sustainable decisions about the materials we introduce into our ecosystems.

Art is how I slow down and notice the details. As a self-taught photographer, painter, and wood-burning artist, I’m drawn to the colors, patterns, and moments that often go unnoticed. Whether I’m photographing wildlife at sunrise, painting a favorite coastline, or creating a new piece inspired by the places I’ve explored, creativity gives me another way to understand and share the world around me. For me, science and art aren’t separate pursuits—they’re complementary ways of observing, asking questions, and telling stories.

Adventure continually reminds me how much there is still to learn. Studying abroad with Semester at Sea took me across Southeast Asia and Southwest Africa, where I experienced firsthand how deeply cultures, communities, and livelihoods are connected to aquatic environments. Those experiences broadened my perspective and reinforced that conservation is as much about people as it is about ecosystems. Since then, I’ve continued seeking opportunities to explore new places, meet new people, and learn from different ways of experiencing the world.

Whether I’m in the laboratory, kayaking through coastal marshes, hiking to a new viewpoint, or documenting wildlife with a camera in hand, I’m guided by the same sense of curiosity that first drew me toward the ocean. My hope is that, through both science and creativity, I can inspire others to look a little closer, ask a few more questions, and develop a deeper appreciation for the remarkable world we all share.