My work investigates carbon, water, and energy fluxes between Earth’s surface and the atmosphere, focusing primarily on plant responses to air pollution and climate. My work combines field measurements and data syntheses with global-scale modeling to understand the mechanisms governing these processes at different spatial and temporal scales. I never thought that I’d spend time at a computer using climate models, but now I do because I realize how useful they are to understanding our Earth in the future! In addition to work, I love exploring Colorado’s mountains via foot, bike, ski, or climbing harness. I also love to cook & bake, play music, and play with my dog!

I’ve always loved exploring and being outside, though I didn’t always know I wanted to be a scientist. In high school, my teachers discouraged me from taking advanced science classes (ha! if only they could see me now!), so I focused on English, History and Music. In college, however, the sciences classes — I was required to take at least 3 — got me outside & thinking about the world we live in. I fell in love with getting to explore nature and ask fundamental questions — the what and why and how — about patterns I saw in nature. Then I got involved in research projects in Hawaii and Tanzania, and I was completely hooked! I majored in Environmental Science and minored in Music. After graduating college, I spent 2 years teaching science to elementary & middle school students before starting my PhD.