Growing up in the highly biodiverse Sierra Nevada foothills, it was impossible not to develop an intense connection to nature and admiration for its creatures. Both the omnipresence and diversity of invertebrates made an indelible impression on my mind and has driven my trajectory into science, despite a non-traditional start (more on that here).

I am passionate about the evolutionary history of invertebrates, which unites my love for biology, history, and communicating stories. As a 4th year PhD candidate, my research focuses on the genus Onymacris, a Namib Desert endemic group of darkling beetles famous for fog-basking behavior in select species. However, I am interested in another unique trait, namely the coloration of ‘white’ species within the genus. My dissertation is a holistic examination of the species relationships, trait evolution, genetic underpinnings, and ecological pressures driving the development of unique coloration. Taxa in extreme environments provide us with wonderful opportunities to understand and document the resilience and adaptability of organisms to life on Earth.