ABOUT ME
Originally from Calgary AB, my love of water and fish began at a young age. It took me some time to arrive at my inevitable path of academia, as I toyed with the idea of arts, culinary school, and business. I found the prospects in academia to seem challenging and unpredictable. Now, I find myself struggling to give up any part of my academic career for a seemingly more normal life working 9-5 five days a week. I love the flexibility and find the uncertainty somewhat exciting, though it isn't always easy.
I believe that the most difficult thing about being a scientist is communicating our research to the public in an effective way without bogging them down with unnecessary science jargon. I like to do this by creating conceptual diagrams to more effectively communicate the message I am trying to convey.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
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Zooplankton size distributions for modelling secondary production and active carbon transport
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Marine conservation - from the base of the food web
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Carbon cycling
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Zooplankton production
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Fisheries oceanography
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Evaluating fisheries productivity using oceanography
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Science communication through art
EDUCATION
2017-2021
University of British Columbia
Doctor of Philosophy in Oceanography
Dissertation: Mesozooplankton normalized biomass size spectra and production in the northeast Pacific
2015-2016
University of British Columbia
Master of Science in Oceanography
Dissertation: A novel approach to estimate active carbon flux using the micronekton biomass spectra
2008-2013
University of Victoria, Canada
Bachelor of Science, Biology, with Co-op
WORK EXPERIENCE
2020-present
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
Biologist - Salmon Enhancement Program (SEP) Planning and Assessment Group
2021-2022
University of British Columbia
Postdoctoral Fellow - Marine Zooplankton and Micronekton Laboratory
2019-2021
Bailey Environmental Consulting Inc.
Environmental Scientist (Casual Contractor)
Environmental assessment, marine mammal monitoring and water quality sampling
2020-2021
Hemmera
Senior Environmental Scientist (Contractor), Marine Sciences
Primarily working on environmental assessment baseline habitat studies for marine infrastructure projects on the coast of British Columbia.
2015-2016
University of British Columbia
Vancouver Summer Program Lecturer
Developing course material (i.e., lectures, laboratories, field studies) and lecturing international summer students in ocean and atmospheric sciences over a 6 week period.
2016-2018
University of British Columbia
Lab Manager
Mesozooplankton and Micronekton Laboratory
Managing the health and safety requirements of all individuals working in the laboratory according to the UBC guidelines. Maintaining inventory of supplies and chemicals.
2015-2021
University of British Columbia
Teaching Assistant
Lecturing students in oceanographic field sampling and laboratory work pertaining to climate analysis. Leading class discussions, working with students to develop ideas, marking/supervising assignments and exams. Courses: EOSC 442 – Climate Analysis (Instructor); EOSC 314 – The Ocean Environment; EOSC 474 – Marine Pollution; EOSC 326 – Earth and Life Through Time
2015-2019
University of British Columbia
Temporary Store Keeper
Managing shipping, receiving, purchasing, and sales for the Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences Store.
2015-2017
University of British Columbia
Access and Diversity Scribe and Tutor
Working as a scribe/tutor for undergraduate students with visual and physical impairments in the Faculty of Science for Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Mathematics, Biology and English.
2012-2014
Marine Scientist, Stantec Consulting
Working on environmental assessment for LNG terminals, Pipelines and Ports. Developing and executing marine field surveys, crew leading field programs (intertidal surveys, subtidal surveys, marine mammal surveys), writing technical data reports and environmental assessments, submitting and responding to information requests (IRs) during the EA process, developing and writing habitat offsetting plans, working with First Nations assistants and subcontractors, conducting eelgrass transplant programs. Also lead and participated in the development of standard operating procedures.
COMMITTEES / VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
2019-2021
University of British Columbia
Chair - Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (IOF) Women and Gender Minorities in Fisheries Caucus
Opening the discussion regarding gender in science. These closed meetings provide a safe space for individuals identifying as being part of a gender minority to discuss issues that they have previously or currently are experiencing in the work place.
2019-2021
University of British Columbia
Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (IOF) Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellness Committee
Assisted in creating resources that provide information about Equity, Diversity and Inclusion resources, initiatives, and support within IOF and across UBC.
2018-2019
University of British Columbia
President - Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (IOF) Student Society
Planning new student orientation, networking, and social events for graduate students in the IOF.
PEER REVIEWING
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Deep Sea Research Part II
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Frontiers in Marine Science
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Progress in Oceanography
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Journal of Geophysical Research - Oceans