Primary Research Interests
My research spans the fields of plant ecology, remote sensing, spatial statistics, landscape ecology, and range management. I am broadly interested in quantifying how species are distributed across heterogeneous landscapes and understanding the ecological basis for those distributions and how they vary through time. In addition, I strive to devise remote sensing applications to facilitate mapping and monitoring of vegetation in spatially complex arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Current areas of research include:
- Comparison of the spatial patterns and dynamics of woody plant proliferation across Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts
- Quantifying scaling relationships for land surface characteristics with remote sensing
- Cross-scale analysis of vegetation phenology
Professional Experience
- 2013 to present - Research Ecologist, USDA, ARS, Range Management Research Unit, Las Cruces, New Mexico
- 2009 to 2013 - Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Physical Scientist, USDA, ARS, Range Management Research Unit, Las Cruces, New Mexico
- 2004 to 2007 - EPA STAR Graduate Fellow, School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- 2003 to 2004 - Graduate Research Assistant, School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- 2001 to 2003 - Research Specialist, Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico
- 1998 to 2000 - Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Education
- 2008, Ph.D., University of Arizona, Renewable Natural Resource Studies
- 2000, M.S., University of Arkansas, Biological Sciences
- 1996, B.S., Mississippi State University, Biological Sciences
Synergistic Activities
- Reviewer for Landscape Ecology, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Journal of Vegetation Science, Journal of Range Management (now Rangeland Ecology and Management), Journal of Herpetology, 2004-2009
- Panelist, Women In Science and Engineering Undergraduate Career Session, 2008
- Member Information Technology Committee for School of Natural Resources (SNR), University of Arizona, 2007-2008
- Committee for School of Natural Resources Graduate Invited Speaker Series, 2006
- Graduate Representative, Search Committee for Director, SNR, University of Arizona, 2006
