I received my B.S. in Aquatic Biology from Grand Valley State University in 2017 and a M.S. in Biology from Tennessee Tech University in 2022. I am a conservation biologist who has a focus on freshwater aquatic ecosystems, particularly in studying and protecting rare, threatened, and endangered non-game fish species. My experiences have included roles at Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the National Park Service, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, where I have led efforts in water quality and fish conservation. In my new role as the Fisheries Lab Manager, I will assist Dr. Gus Engman, Dr. Lisa Izzo, and Dr. Alejandro Moctezuma with their ongoing research and curriculum. Through this position, I hope to advance our understanding of freshwater ecosystems in the Southeast United States and promote strategies that safeguard the biodiversity within them.