About me
Hallo! Welcome to my page. Here's a bit about me:
I am an integrative biologist with a focal interest in wildlife conservation genetics, ancient DNA research and community-engaged research. I also develop and test methods for both computational (dry-lab) biology and molecular (wet-lab) applications. I'm currently enjoying academic life as a postdoctoral researcher in the Center of Indigenous Science at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, and I collaborate with the Malhi Molecular Anthropology lab and Catchen lab at UIUC and with institutions and laboratories all-over the world.
My research integrates computational/bioinformatic and molecular wet-lab genomic approaches with complementary disciplines like Archeology, Animal Behavior, Conservation Biology and Environmental Sciences to answer questions that any single field alone cannot address. I aim to combine genomic and community-based approaches to generate results that resonate with collaborating communities and with academics. I am especially interested in merging Paleogenomic, Archeological, Conservation and Computational Science approaches to provide novel interpretation of historical events, in the human and wildlife context. I aim to extend the outcomes of my research to address community needs and inform wildlife conservation planning in the US and abroad.
I also venture into art, using various mediums (drawing, silversmithing) but the overarching theme of most of my creations is the inspiration I get from the natural world. I'm also a very keen traveler and solo-adventurist (well, pre-covid). Check out my Art & Travels page for more artsy and adventurous stuff.
Land Acknowledgement:
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I'm currently based at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), United States of America. I would like to recognize and acknowledge that I live and work on the lands of the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Odawa, Sauk, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Chickasaw Nations. These lands were the traditional territory of these Native Nations prior to their forced removal; these lands continue to carry the stories of these Nations and their struggles for survival and identity.
As a land-grant institution, the University of Illinois has a particular responsibility to acknowledge the peoples of these lands, as well as the histories of dispossession that have allowed for the growth of this institution for the past 150 years. I am also obligated to reflect on and actively address these histories and the role that this university has played in shaping them. This acknowledgement and the centering of Native peoples is a start as we move forward for the next 150 years. This statement is suggested by the UIUC Native American House.
GET IN TOUCH
I'd love to hear from you
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Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
University of Illinois
IL, USA
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