Read the story of my professional journey:

Having loved and excelled in science from a young age, I pursued a Bachelor's of Science in Zoology at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.  During my undergrad years, I was privileged enough to have a number of important formative experiences-serving as a summer camp naturalist and counselor, and important field coursework in the behavioral and anthropological sciences.

While I esteemed and admired peers pursing lab and field work in the "hard" sciences, reflecting on my undergrad work and experiences, I felt this was not the path for me.  I was most drawn to experiences and opportunities that were at the intersection of science and people. Yearning to experience an urban environment, I was pleased to be accepted and attend DePaul University in Chicago. Here, I pursed coursework in pedagogy, human development, as well as advanced science coursework. 

I am forever indebted to the friend who suggested I check out local museums for part-time work while in my graduate program. I was delighted to find that my previous coursework and field experiences were aligned with Shedd Aquarium's need for a Research Assistant in the Audience Research & Evaluation department.  Once I accepted the position,  I was excited to find that the role melded my interest in science content and practice with pedagogical theory and human interaction. 

In addition to theoretical coursework, my master's program provided the opportunity to take on fieldwork, including a teaching practicum,  in classrooms throughout the Chicagoland area.  These experiences brought me delight when interacting with students,  made me see the challenges faced by educators, and provided an important inflection point for the next stage of my journey. 

After serving as a research assistant and one particularly satisfying exhibition evaluation, I was hooked! I was immensely privileged to take on a full time roll with the Audience Research & Evaluation Department at Shedd Aquarium after completing my master's program. Working at Shedd brought  together my love of rigorous scientific practice, saw the power of informal contexts in learning across the lifespan, and filled a need to work for the betterment of people's lives. Over the years I was able to deepen my experience in social science research practices and theory,  pursue professional development and leadership roles, and hone my craft and career path. 

As I pursue and consider next steps, I hope to stay within the social science research discipline. I want serve in roles that extend our collective knowledge while working for the social good of people and communities. I look forward to connecting with you about future opportunities!