Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program:
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Originally from Hummelstown, PA, I received my bachelor's degree from California University of Pennsylvania in 2007. While at Cal U I developed an interest in ornithology and completed my honors thesis on nest provisioning of ground nesting songbirds. After graduating I began my master's degree at West Virginia University studying singing behavior and breeding ecology of Golden-winged Warblers. As a doctoral candidate beginning in 2010, I have been able to continue research on Golden-winged Warblers, associated avian species, and their habitats. Ultimately with a five year data set on the ecology and management of Golden-winged Warblers in WV, I hope to inform conservation efforts for this species, which is currently being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act. My general research interests include conservation biology and anthropogenic impacts on avian populations. In my free time I enjoy ultimate frisbee, birding, hunting, fishing, and backpacking.