Currently, I am an instructor and a Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico. I also teach at Central New Mexico Community College. At UNM, I teach Life Sciences in the Natural Sciences program. As a Research Assistant Professor I conduct research and serve on research committees of honors students and graduate students. At CNM, I teach many biology classes and introductory statistics.

I earned my Ph.D. in Biology from the University of New Mexico in 2008 with Randy Thornhill and Paul Watson as my committee chairs. I also earned my M.S. in Biology from UNM with Thornhill and Watson. Prior to this I conducted graduate studies and research at Oklahoma State University under the guidance of David Duvall. I earned my B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology from Oklahoma State University. My most important influences at OSU during my undergraduate training were Stanley Fox, Bob Lochmiller, and Jim Shaw.

Now, clearly my family are my primary motivation and greatest influences.