An integral part of my childhood was spent exploring the lakes, rivers, streams, and forests in southeastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey. I was fortunate to have opportunities to sail, canoe, hike and spend time outdoors with my family. Through these activities and building tiny ‘boats’ from bark, sticks and leaves for my imaginary communities, I developed an affinity and familiarity with the way water moved, transported objects, and connected different areas of the terrestrial landscape. Observing the world around me using art, particularly watercolor painting, has influenced my curiosity and attention to the place I’m in.

I studied physics and earth science at the University of New Hampshire where I realized I could combine this familiarity (from a recreation and physical sense) with the watery landscape with my desire to use math and physics to understand the world around me to study the ocean’s motion and other physical properties, physical oceanography.

Currently, I am a PhD Candidate at the College of Earth Ocean and Atmospheric Science at Oregon State University. I study how heat and energy are mixed in the ocean by turbulence near steep underwater ridges in the equatorial western Pacific Ocean and in Alaskan fjords.

I enjoy spending time outdoors through sailing, canoeing, trail running, hiking, swimming, skiing, and gardening. I also love baking pie, sewing, and hanging out with my cats. I get really excited about getting to observe and experience some of the physical phenomena I study in the outdoors (Kelvin Helmholtz instability clouds below).