My research integrates field data with ecological theory and computational methods to understand how wildlife populations and biological communities respond to natural and human-caused disturbances. In my group, we seek to deliver the science needed to conserve species and foster resilient, dynamic landscapes in an era of rapid global change. Much of the core research in my lab explores disturbance and biodiversity dynamics; a strong emphasis has been investigating how wildlife species and communities respond to changing fire regimes and landscape management across the western United States. Most importantly, my group focuses on addressing questions of applied relevance that have the potential to influence conservation decisions. Through strong science-management partnerships, we translate ecological patterns into actionable conservation solutions for state and federal agencies, private landowners, and other land managers, while ensuring our work pushes the boundaries of modern ecology.

Award highlights

• 2025 Kavli Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
• 2025 Early Career Award, Association for Fire Ecology
• 2024 Ned K. Johnson Early Investigator, American Ornithological Society
• 2023 Science in the Media Award, US Department of Agriculture, Rocky Mountain Research Station
• 2021 Early Career Scientist, US Department of Agriculture, Rocky Mountain Research Station
• 2019 Best Dissertation Award, Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison