Originally from Reading, Pennsylvania, I graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 2012 with a Honors Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a concentration in plant biology. While a student, I participated in a research internship with the Department of Botany at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. I also traveled to Costa Rica while an undergraduate to conduct field research in the tropical wet and cloud forests. I migrated south to The Swamp and the University of Florida. While there, I taught college-level courses in biology and botany while assisting with research in herbaria and molecular biology research labs. I also completed my teaching licensure requirements and student taught with Bradford High School in Starke, Florida.

I began my migration north again and relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina area in 2015 and obtained my NC Teaching License in Biology (Grades 9-12) and Comprehensive Science (Grades 9-12). I teach mostly Biology (academic, honors, and International Baccalaureate IB). I also have taught Earth and Environmental Science and chemistry. I am currently completing my Master of Education degree in Science Education through the North Carolina State University.