Marine Science
Research Interests: My research focuses on bacteria involved in the marine nitrogen cycle. I combine genomics, laboratory experiments, and measurements made at sea to understand how these microbes adapt to environmental stressors like nutrient limitation and low oxygen.
Mentoring Experience: It has been a joy applying the skills I've developed in my graduate program to advise several undergraduates working on a project about microbial bioplastic degradation in the ocean. Mentoring has given me a sense for what it is like to manage a research group and reinforced my passion for teaching others. Mentorship quality can deeply impact student outcomes, so I strive to educate myself on mentorship best practices, encourage mentees to develop independence and enthusiasm for science, and facilitate achievement of their professional goals beyond our time together in the lab. One of my favorite parts of being a mentor is getting to see all the amazing things that my mentees go on to achieve!
Meaning of the Award: I am humbled and honored to be recognized! I am so thankful for the thoughtful guidance of my own mentors and am proud to pay that forward by mentoring undergraduates at UCSB. My relationships with my mentees are among the most rewarding I have built so far in graduate school and have affirmed that mentoring students is something I will continue to prioritize going forward in my career.