Profile

• Time Zone

  Eastern

  
  
• Organization

  University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  I am a plant ecologist who is interested in research that helps us to understand why some species are rare while others are common in the natural world. I am especially interested in comparing the abilities of rare species and common species to respond to environmental change since our natural world is such a dynamic place. In addition to advancing scientific knowledge about plants, my research on rare plant species helps to guide their conservation.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  What is your favorite plant? Why?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 1 here (300 words):

  My favorite plant is the white fringeless orchid because it is an especially charismatic rare species that is found in my region (the southeastern U.S.). I call it the 'panda bear' of my study species.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  When and why did you decide to go into a science career?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 2 here (300 words):

  I initially wanted to be a science journalist and started graduate school in a journalism program. But I got very involved in research in a lab that I wanted to continue. So I switched to a science PhD program instead. I figured that scientists do get to write, but journalisms don't really get to do science as part of their jobs.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  What is a typical day like for you?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 3 here (300 words):

  Every day is a little bit different as a professor. Some days I focus on research and other days I focus on teaching. I also advise a lot of students in research and engage in a lot of service activities, like serving on various committees at my institution and within my professional community. The variety of things that I do from day-to-day and my abilities to manage my own time in a broad sense is an aspect of my career that I really enjoy.

  
  
• Capacity: How many teams at a time are you comfortable working with?

  1

  
  

Recent Posts

No recent activity.