Education:
M.S. Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2024)
B.A. Environmental Biology, DePauw University (2021)
About me:
My name is Michael, and I am starting as a master’s student in the Schoville Molecular Ecology lab this fall. I am studying the population dynamics of butterflies in Yosemite National Park and gene flow of grasshoppers in the Rocky Mountains. As an undergraduate, I majored in environmental biology and minored in environmental geoscience and classical civilizations. For the past year I have worked on species distribution models as a lab technician.
I am a big public outreach advocate and am active on both iNaturalist as well as Facebook insect ID groups. I am currently interested in pursuing further research on landscape genetics, population dynamics, social behavior, and effects of climate change. I also enjoy using ArcGIS as well as R and look forward to further developing my statistical and programming knowledge.
When not looking at insects in one form or another I enjoy hiking, skiing, playing tennis, board games, and reading (especially sci-fi books). I also do wildlife photography and am enthusiastic about documenting as much biodiversity around me as possible. I love the outdoors and am happy to just walk around and explore.