Short History
I grew up in Salford Township, Pennsylvania, a small town north of Philadelphia. My interest in understanding the ocean led me to Monmouth University. I majored in Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy and minored in Geographic Information Systems. At Monmouth, I was a part of Dr. Keith Dunton’s research team for two years to tag sharks and monitor post-release behavior and survivorship of land-based catch and release fisheries in New Jersey. I was also a Summer Scholar in 2020, completing my own research. For this project I obtained an FAA Part 107 drone license and operated an aerial drone over Crosswicks Creek to capture images of a Revolutionary War era shipwreck. I processed these images through WebODM to create an orthophoto and digital elevation models. Outside of this, I enjoy reading, long boarding, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.
Research Interests
My interests include shark site fidelity and underwater archaeology. Site fidelity is important to understanding how different species live and migrate through the ocean. Through the use of ROVs, AUVs, BRUVs, and data from gliders, information on their migration and site fidelity pattern can be identified. This can provide information that will aid in conservation efforts. Underwater archaeology fascinates me as sites of historical importance also become sites of biological and ecological importance. These historical structures become similar to artificial reefs, they are important to history and upholding marine life.
Education
2022-present, Masters Student, Operational Oceanography, Rutgers University
2022, B.S. Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy, Monmouth University