Prior to developing an interest in marine ecology, I was fortunate to have a wide variety of research and work experiences. These include my undergraduate research at the University of Connecticut, where I studied the foraging behavior of the red imported fire ant, and a recurring summer position at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. My interest in marine ecology was sparked during my graduate work at Southern Connecticut State University, where I examined the population dynamics of the red alga Chondrus crispus.

Currently, I am investigating the palatability of bloom forming macroalgae in Narragansett Bay, RI, in an attempt to determine if these algae form blooms, in part, because they are less palatable to invertebrate herbivores than other, co-occurring species. I am also participating in research to establish the number and identity of green algae contributing to macroalgal blooms in Narragansett Bay through monthly surveys and DNA bar-coding.