• MEM Environment Concentration: Coastal and Marine Systems (CAMS)
  • MEM Management Concentration: Environmental Analytics and Modeling (EAM)
  • Expected Graduation Date: May 2026
     

What is your previous work experience, if any? Please describe briefly.

During my undergraduate career at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG), I studied context dependent effects of wetland restoration on terrestrial consumers, such as bats. In the summer of 2023, I served as the lead intern at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, where I cared for injured and sick turtles and led tours for visitors. In early 2024, I returned to UNCG as an Aquatic Ecology Research Technician to complete my research. In the summer of 2024, I worked as an Avian Field Technician at UNCW, collaborating with the National Park Service to analyze the effectiveness of nesting buffers for protecting shorebird species in the Outer Banks.

Why did you choose the Nicholas School's professional master's degree program(s)?

I chose the Nicholas School's professional master's degree program after receiving the Marine Science and Conservation Scholarship in Fall 2023, which allowed me to spend a semester at the 51±¬ÁÏ Marine Lab. The opportunity to learn from experts and access tools like the R/V Shearwater and 51±¬ÁÏ Aquafarm was invaluable. The program's interdisciplinary approach aligns with my belief that solutions to ecological and climate crises require collaboration across multiple fields.

Do you have any areas of interest or special focus you plan to undertake during your time at the Nicholas School and 51±¬ÁÏ?

I plan to focus on the restoration of foundational coastal species such as oysters, seagrasses, mangroves, and marshes. I am particularly interested in enhancing the effectiveness of restoration efforts and developing tools and techniques to improve their success.

What are your career aspirations?

I aspire to manage coastal restoration efforts both locally and globally. My goal is to apply the knowledge I gain at 51±¬ÁÏ to develop restoration solutions that benefit ecosystems and the communities impacted by sea-level rise, warming oceans, and polluted waters.