From a young age, I felt a connection to the environment. My early years consisted of playing outside, exploring forests, and traveling to various national parks. I saw the beauty of creation and always felt connected to it. I understood the importance of the environment: how we rely on it, but ecosystems thrive within it. Caring for creation is necessary to sustain our society, but further provides benefits of peace and calmness. 

​

My passion for the environment blossomed in high school. I wanted to major in STEM, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and grew especially fond of engineering. I was inspired by women in STEM and wanted to discover more about the world. As I attended St. Joseph's Academy, a Catholic high school, I grew in my understanding of how interconnected my Catholic faith could be in science.  The pursuit of science could truly be beneficial to people, bringing a positive impact on their lives. I strove to make that difference. The need to care for the environment specifically spoke volumes to me. My biology teacher invested in me and led a club, Earth Angels; her drive for innovation and discovery through the mindset of stewardship sparked my pursuit of environmental justice. I realized how many people were negatively affected by the injustices occurring due to poor air and water quality. The connection between science and society became so apparent; I felt the call to work in science and research to help others.

 

I studied at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Mizzou, for my undergraduate degree and balanced a myriad of social and academic clubs. While being extensively involved in campus life, I thrived academically earning multiple internships and research opportunities.  I discovered rich diversity in college: a multitude of perspectives and past experiences that shaped my education. Only growing in passion for environmental advocacy, I found myself consistently finding service projects and finding ways to live more sustainably on campus. From spearheading Sustainapalozza, a sustainability-themed week, to establishing a recycling program in my sorority house, to interning as a service and justice leader at the Catholic Campus Ministry, I consistently found ways to extend my academic career outside of the classroom. I desire to continue my education every day as I continue to learn about how to create a more sustainable world and the commitment needed to pursue action.

​

I then worked as a graduate research student at Texas A&M University. In Texas, I saw more than ever the need for greater climate advocacy. Fighting high heat and drought, I experienced firsthand the effects of climate change. Conserving water resources became a necessary and daily habit of life. For my master's degree, I conducted research on extreme precipitation within the Texas region, future climate projections regarding precipitation and temperatures, and explored the ways urbanization, along with increasing natural disasters, impact communities. Check out my master's thesis project under the Projects tab. 

​

Further, I am interning as a Common Home Corps Fellow with the Catholic Climate Covenant. This program motivates young people to pursue climate action, grounded in scripture, and help their dioceses in their pursuit of Laudato Si'. As a network of young people, we can together create a plan to help care for creation tangibly within daily practices.

​

I am always looking to connect and am happy to speak on climate-related issues. Please reach out for any inquiries.