I was born and raised in Austin, but I was fortunate to live in Malaysia and China during my elementary years, which gave me the opportunity to travel and experience the incredible flora and fauna of many different countries. This exposure sparked my passion for conservation biology.

As an undergraduate pursuing a BS in Biology through the Dean's Scholars Honors Program, I have been able to explore my passion for conservation biology through two REU programs in the marine sciences. Through these experiences, I have validated a method to measure stress in Kemp's Ridley sea turtles and investigated the role marine heatwaves play in Pisaster ochraceus larvae growth. These research opportunities have deepened my interest in how animals respond to environmental disturbances, and I am excited to continue pursuing these interests in the Kemp lab.