Experience
I’m a marine biologist, educator, ocean equity advocate, and science communicator with over two decades of experience.
My goal is to cultivate and provide educational experiences to students interested in careers in marine biology, environmental studies, and conservation.
If you’d like to learn more about my work experience, download my resume below.
Field Experience
I am an expert in teaching in the field and utilizing natural spaces to put theory into practice. I have led student groups on snorkels and hikes throughout the archipelago of Bocas del Toro. As a PADI rescue diver with a Wilderness First Aid certificate, I am well-prepared to guide students in diverse environments. My passion for exploring both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems comes together in the mangroves, where my background in natural and social sciences intersects.
Research Experience
I investigate life at both molecular and macro scales. My Ph.D. research focused on understanding the variation in the heritability of gene expression in fish. After moving to Bocas del Toro in 2014, I shifted my focus to mangroves and the diverse life they support, including zooplankton, coral reefs, fish, sponges, and invertebrates. I became particularly interested in the habitat complexity of mangrove ecosystems and their role in sustaining life. More recently, my work has centered on the importance of mangroves in the daily lives of people in Bocas del Toro's coastal communities. This shift has led me to focus on placing people and communities at the heart of conservation efforts, ensuring the ocean remains an equitable resource for all.
I am deeply concerned about the inequities in ocean governance in the tropics, which hold much of the planet's biodiversity. These inequities manifest as restricted access to natural resources, limitations on resource use, food insecurity, tensions and mistrust between governments and local communities, unequal distribution of economic benefits, the practice of ‘parachute science,’ and the exclusion of non-scientific forms of knowledge.
Having lived in Panamá and witnessed these inequities firsthand, I am more committed than ever to working toward reversing them. I am also dedicated to understanding how colonial legacies in tropical regions continue to perpetuate inequities across the seascape. My philosophy is rooted in ensuring the equitable sharing of ocean resources for all, shaped by both personal experience and observation.
As I shifted my focus from mangrove habitat complexity to exploring the cultural and intangible values of mangrove ecosystems in Bocas del Toro, I found a wonderful network of people who share my values and concern for our collective survival. In my role as Strategic Advisor for Ocean Nexus, I have connected with hundreds of scientists worldwide working to address ecological and social injustices in our ocean.
Teaching and Mentoring Experience
For over 20 years, I have taught and mentored students of all ages. For the past decade, I have focused on place-based, field instruction in Bocas del Toro, Panamá. My teaching philosophy encourages curiosity through inquiry, fostering inclusive environments where students feel safe to explore, ask questions, and learn from failure. I emphasize perseverance, empowering students to achieve high levels of creativity and critical thinking.
