My academic research and professional experience span ecological fieldwork, conservation land management, habitat restoration, and environmental stewardship. Through these experiences, I've developed an appreciation for the relationship between scientific research and practical conservation, and the importance of applying ecological knowledge to the management of natural ecosystems.
My graduate research examines plant community composition and the role of soil seed banks as reservoirs of biodiversity in degraded coastal wetlands. Working under the guidance of Dr. Myla Aronson at Rutgers University, I investigate relationships between aboveground vegetation and soil seed banks across five distinct wetland habitats at Manahawkin Wildlife Management Area in Ocean County, New Jersey.
Through vegetation surveys, soil seed bank germination experiments, and avian point-count surveys, my research characterizes ecological communities within this historically altered coastal wetland system. I use multivariate statistical approaches to examine patterns of community composition, species turnover, and differences between existing vegetation and the seeds retained in the soil.
By examining these ecological relationships before restoration, my research seeks to provide insight into the processes that shape wetland plant communities and the potential contributions of soil seed banks to future restoration efforts.
As Conservation Land Manager at Rutgers University's Hutcheson Memorial Forest, I helped oversee the daily stewardship of an ecologically significant forest preserve containing one of New Jersey's remaining old-growth forest stands.
My responsibilities included invasive species management, native plant establishment, trail and infrastructure maintenance, and coordinating conservation projects throughout the preserve. I also supported ongoing ecological research, including long-term investigations of forest succession and vegetation dynamics.
Beyond field operations, I supervised a team of conservation interns, coordinated volunteer activities, and led educational tours for visitors and community groups. This position provided valuable experience in project coordination, field leadership, and the practical challenges of managing natural areas for ecological integrity, research, and public engagement.
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