Research Overview

My interest in animal behavior and conservation began during my undergraduate studies at Mississippi State University, where I earned a B.S. in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture in 2019. There, I developed a strong foundation in ecology and conservation science and cultivated a deep respect for the natural world. I was also introduced to researchers whose work on animal behavior revealed how social dynamics can shape welfare, protection, and long-term conservation outcomes. Their influence helped clarify my own path: contributing to the scientific understanding of animal behavior and applying that knowledge to improve how we coexist with wildlife.

I joined the Hobson Lab at the University of Cincinnati in the fall of 2020 to research how monk parakeets initiate new affiliative relationships and how these relationships may provide social support. Ultimately, I aimed to understand social processes that underlie animals’ ability to flexibly adapt to dynamic environments, or social resilience.

My long-term goals center on bridging the gap between behavioral ecology, conservation practice, and public understanding. By integrating conceptual frameworks from behavioral ecology with robust analytical tools, I aim to help develop management strategies that more effectively protect and conserve social species, especially those whose survival depends on the strength and flexibility of their social systems.