I am a PhD Candidate in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, advised by Andy Dobson. My research examines the structure and dynamics of ecological communities in the context of biodiversity loss, with a focus on how patterns of commonness and rarity shape long-term population trends and community stability. Most of my work centers on North American birds, leveraging large-scale datasets and statistical models to understand how local mechanisms scale up to continental patterns. I have conducted research at the Santa Fe Institute and draw on ideas from complexity science in my approach. Beyond my dissertation, I work on vegetation dynamics in Yellowstone National Park, host–parasite dynamics in birds and dolphins, and the statistical optimization of wildlife monitoring, especially for the world's big cats, including jaguars, lions, leopards, and snow leopards. I completed my undergraduate degree at Cornell University, where my time at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology sparked my commitment to ecological research. I also have experience working with state agencies and international NGOs for conservation.