Short Bio:
I grew up in Mount Laurel, NJ often traveling to the Jersey Shore, and always loved spending time at the beach. My family and I have often traveled to the Caribbean where we have spent a lot of time fishing, snorkeling, and diving the local waters. These early experiences with the ocean led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in marine science with a focus on marine biology from Stockton University. While at Stockton, I researched eDNA and oyster restoration with my professors. I also worked as a field research assistant at the Stockton University Coastal Research Center for two years while a student. At the Coastal Research Center, I gained skills working in an intense field team environment with the goal of understanding erosion and coastal dynamics around the Jersey Shore. My time at the CRC also allowed me to develop skills in writing Matlab scripts and working with marine technology like ADCPs. After graduating from Stockton in the fall of 2024, I continued working at the CRC until my graduate program at Rutgers began in the summer of 2024.
Research Interests:
While at Stockton, my interest mainly focused on marine biology as I have always had a passion for preserving the natural beauty of marine species. I want future generations to be able to experience the awe-inspiring wonder that is thriving marine ecosystems and I want to do all that I can to make that a reality. As I continued working at the CRC, I began to realize the power of various marine technologies and equipment in ocean research. I also found myself enjoying working with these advanced pieces of marine technology. That is why I chose to pursue my graduate degree at Rutgers as I feel this university presents a fantastic opportunity to apply advanced technology to better understand and preserve our oceans.