About

​​My research interests involve the systematics of arachnids, building phylogenetic trees, and interpreting those trees to better understand the biology of spiders and their kin. Foremost among these are the orb-weaving spiders. Despite their ubiquity, many spiders (like all arthropod groups) have not been described scientifically much less placed in a phylogeny. To pursue these ends, I am currently a Peter Buck Fellow at the Smithsonian Institution studying spider phylogeny and morphometrics using computed tomography to look at shape differences across this diverse clade.​

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Research appointments

​2019: Postdoctoral scientist, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC

2017: Postdoctoral scientist, The George Washington University, Washington, DC

2012: Research technician, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC

Teaching appointments
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2017: Lectures in phylogenetics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC

2015: Invertebrate zoology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC

2012-2014: Introductory biology (cell & molecular; ecology and evolution; human health), The George Washington University, Washington, DC

2009-2010: Introductory Biology, Towson University, Towson, MD

Education

2012-2017: Ph.D., The George Washington University, Washington, DC 

2009-2011: M.S., Towson University, Towson, MD

2005-2009: B.A., Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD