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My passion for social-ecological systems research was developed through several important experiences. My undergraduate training at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in psychology was instrumental in solidifying my passion for research that focuses on people. My passion for natural sciences really began to grow after I joined the Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC) staff during my undergraduate career. The community at the OAC educated me about many issues affecting our natural spaces while also teaching me skills that allow me to enjoy adventures in nature every single day! Around the same time, I started a business that emphasized the importance of sustainability by upcycling textiles, with the support of the Engler Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship Program. The Engler community also educated me about issues affecting the environment, but they had a very different perspective influenced by agriculture and business. These experiences inspired me to pursue more opportunities related to natural science and the environment.
After graduating, I joined the USDA Forage Research Lab and took an ecology class at Nebraska Wesleyan University. These experiences helped me realize that I would enjoy graduate school and that a path in natural resources would be a good fit.
My current position in the School of Natural Resources allows me to use both of my skillsets in the social and natural sciences to understand how people perceive regime shifts in rangeland ecosystems. With the help of my advisor, Dr. Gwendwr Meredith, I hope to be able to use surveys and interviewing methods to learn more about these areas.