I think about how to describe nature using concepts from math and physics. I specialize in adding spatial movement to ecological and evolutionary processes, and I’m especially fascinated by the idea of relative motion—i.e. the spatial patterns that emerge when we consider how different parts of the natural world move in different directions or at different speeds relative to each other.

I test these ideas using a mix of theory, simulations, and highly replicated experiments with an emphasis on testing mathematical theory using experimental data. Over the last ten years as a scientist, I have shown that motion is a powerful ecological mechanism that alters how natural systems operate. I have also shown that taking account of relative motion in our mathematical models can unlock secrets about the ways ecological and evolutionary processes operate.

At the Environmental Data Science Innovation and Inclusion Lab (ESIIL), I hold multiple leadership roles, including serving on the executive board, where I contribute to high-level decision-making. I lead the cyberinfrastructure team, overseeing the design and implementation of the center's open data platform, OASIS (Open Analytics and Synthesis Infrastructure for Science). OASIS integrates GitHub templates, Docker containers, and NSF cloud infrastructure to support cutting-edge scientific research. Additionally, I lead the Working Groups, which are the primary scientific outputs of the center. In this role, I recruit Principal Investigators (PIs), support proposal development, advise on scientific directions, train groups on utilizing our cyberinfrastructure, and develop custom infrastructure tailored to each group's needs. These responsibilities position me as a key contributor to the advancement of Environmental Data Science.