I started my career in zoological institutions working primarily with elephants and ungulates. I came to Nebraska to pursue my zookeeping and conservation goals with the elephant program at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. I have met like-minded professionals in Nebraska working in wildlife conservation, and I decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Natural Resource Sciences with a specialization in Applied Ecology. My area of study will continue to be on elephant behavior and physiology and how this relates to biodiversity goals. When I am not studying or working, I enjoy being active outside with my family and dogs.