I recently completed my PhD in Biological Sciences at Louisiana State University, where I studied the neurobiological mechanisms of personality in wild songbirds. I started a postdoc position at UC Davis this fall, where I am investigating the mechanisms underlying cognition in bumblebees. I am broadly interested in understanding how ecological, neurobiological, and physiological systems can influence behavioral plasticity in individuals, populations, and species.
New publication alert! Research from my undergraduate thesis on dark-eyed junco stress physiology has been published. Juncos increase both free fatty acids and glucose during an acute handling challenge and larger individuals mobilized more glucose.
August 2024
I moved to Davis and visited my new field site for wild bumblebee cognition research! This site is in Soda Springs, CA and has lots of wild flowers for bee foraging.
August 2024
New publication alert! House sparrow alarm calls prevented birds from habituating to novel object trials. Click above to read more!
April 2024
My husband and I defended our PhDs in the same week!
New publication alert! Female house sparrows in breeding condition decrease brain responses in response to neutral tones compared to male house sparrow song, but they do NOT decrease brain responses to predator sounds. Click above to read more!
May 2023
I received a P.E.O Scholar Award. Click above to read more!