PhD in Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago
MS in Geology, Indiana University
Prior to entering academia, I spent several years as a high school biology teacher in Indiana, teaching mostly Anatomy & Physiology and AP Biology. Most recently, I was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington, which included teaching a summer paleontology fieldwork course. I stay active in multiple outreach programs. This includes serving as an instructor and organizer for the DIG Field School for teachers, which is a professional development program that provides K-12 teachers with a 4-day ‘crash course’ in paleontological fieldwork in Montana.
Research
The aim of my research program is to elucidate the deep time histories of diverse clades. I perform hypothesis-based research, with mammals (both fossil and modern) being my preferred study organisms. My studies have employed a variety of innovative approaches, including biomechanical models, paleoecological analyses, phylogenetic comparative methods, and morphometrics. My research is largely based on original data obtained from museum collections, and I have been active in fieldwork projects to help grow those collections.