Academic Background

2021 - Present: Postdoctoral Scholar, UC Riverside, advised by Amy C. Murillo

2015 - 2021: Ph.D. in Entomology, UC Riverside, advised by Alec C. Gerry Dissertation: Mechanisms Conferring Behavioral Resistance to the Neonicotinoid: Imidacloprid in the House Fly (Musca domestica Linnaeus).

2011 - 2015: B.S. in Biology, UC Riverside

My career goal is to conduct research and train the next generation of scientists to address complex problems through a multidisciplinary approach in the field of veterinary entomology. Prior to my graduate training in veterinary entomology, I worked in multiple research labs with a wide range of research disciplines. Having diverse research experiences prior to graduate school allowed me to think about research questions from multiple perspectives and address them accordingly.

My independent research laboratory will investigate the behavior and evolutionary adaptations of hosts, pests, vectors, and pathogens vectored by arthropods that impact animals, aiming to develop innovative and effective monitoring and control methods. Understanding these genetic and behavioral adaptations is crucial for developing sustainable pest management strategies, especially as global climate change and urbanization continue to expand the range of invasive pests and vectors. As the United States moves toward "smart farming," which integrates artificial intelligence and sensor technologies, my research program will further investigate and improve SMART surveillance, such as on-animal sensors, to investigate animal welfare and behavior in response to various stimuli (e.g., pests, parasites, invasive species).