Fervently dedicated to fieldwork, discovery, and fusing art with science, my life’s mission — as a scholar and person — rests in understanding how our beautifully complex world fits together, what makes it tick, and how to proactively conserve the landscapes of the past for the sake of the future. By maintaining an active and contributing role in each arena, my career is built upon passionately bridging the rift between education, policy, and scientific research.
Current and Past Research:
Entomogeomorphology
Combining my interest in creepy-crawlies and geomorphology, this on-going project explores the complex relationship between insect/arachnid activity and larger landscapes and landforms. Using photogrammetric 3D-modeling programs, zoological profiles, and geomorphometric techniques, this research aims to shed more light on how even the smallest of creatures can have profound influence on the world around us.
U.S. Fulbright Scholar Fellowship
My time as Fulbright Scholar (Research, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (2019-20/ 2022), allowed for rephotographing Jordan's most iconic location: the ancient, rose red city of Petra. Over a span of five years, I painstakingly and precisely rephotographed historic images from the early-20th century, useful for informing tourism management policies in the park and for comparative temporal landscape change visualization. Also a great coffee table book!
Al-Hisma Rock Art Rangers Initiative
As Project Director and Lead-PI for this USAID-sponsored SCHEP project in Wadi Rum, Jordan, I had the great honor to engage with local communities to develop potential management strategies for their priceless cultural heritage resources (e.g., ancient engravings, petroglyphs, and inscriptions), as well as their amazing homeland designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and natural features.
