Like many scientists, my fascination with the natural world and its workings was sparked and encouraged by a long series of other people who taught, mentored and supported me in my transition from the seven-year-old wondering about illustrations in the children’s encyclopedia to the scientist I am today. Additionally, it has never been more important that scientists be able to communicate their knowledge and skills to the general public. As a result, I try to support others in their scientific development and communicate my science whenever possible.

I have been passionate about outreach and mentoring for a long time. In high school, I spent nearly every Saturday in high school volunteering as a tour guide at the LA Zoo, mentoring other volunteers in the training program and teaching the urban public about the animals. More recently, my efforts have been directed in two main areas: 1) mentoring individual aspiring scientists, particularly from groups typically underrepresented in science, and 2) introducing the public, mainly K-12 students, to science.

At Stanford University, I have mentored 11 students in research including 7 women, 3 first-generation college students and 2 under-represented minorities. I have additionally served as a more general mentor to graduate students seeking support in science. In general, I welcome students with any level of background in science to contact me. I work with my students to achieve their goals, whether it is a general introduction to research or working towards an independent research project and eventual publication. If you are interested in gaining research experience, please contact me. 

I love teaching K-12 students about science whenever I can. I regularly participate in Skype a Scientist sessions and have taught one day classes on topics ranging from herpetology to environmental microbiology to the basics of genetics to students from California to Kenya (see photo).