Research

Over the past 20 years, I’ve conducted studies and written articles on a variety of topics in biology, from animal behavior to forest ecology to fire science and management.

I've had amazing opportunities for research, teaching, and learning in coastal California, the Lake Tahoe basin, the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains - with the U.S. Geological Survey, several colleges & universities, and many partners.

Currently, I’m Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO, where I work with students across all STEM fields.

I have a Bachelor's degree in Human Biology from Stanford University, a Ph.D. in Ecology & Conservation from the University of Nevada Reno, and an Early Childhood Education Credential from Monterey Peninsula College.

Find more details on LinkedIn and Google Scholar!

Kids + STEM

I love to share STEM with students of all ages and backgrounds...

in the national IF/THEN Initiative for women and girls led by the American Association for the Advancement of Science
in Girls & Science events and virtual field trips with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
as part of an EcoLogik summer camp about fire and forests
as a mentor and instructor in the NSF program Research Experience for Community College Students
as the organizer of many elementary school science and engineering fairs!

Family adventures

With my kids and husband, there's always a new trail or campfire to explore. We don't always agree on the science of s'mores however - my personal preference is to let the marshmallows flame!

Early years in England

I grew up in England, where it was usually too cold and damp for campfires! When I moved to California for college and saw the hills and mountains burn, I became fascinated with wildfire and started on the pathway to a career in forest science. My family back in Yorkshire wondered if maybe I was just trying to stay warm.

Dog experiment

Our mischievous yellow lab pup, Ollie, is always trying to eat frogs, chase rabbits, trick us into extra treats, or make friends with snakes. Training him to be a responsible grownup dog has become our family's experiment - with mixed results so far!