I grew up in Montour County, Penn., in a tiny 20-house village called White Hall.

I was living/working in Las Vegas at Desert Research Institute, and the reputation of my dissertation committee chairs and involvement in a unique evapotranspiration study.

I got my Ph.D. in biological sciences in 2003.

I got my bachelor’s degree in environmental resource management Penn State University and my master’s degree in agronomy from Penn State.

I’ve always been interested in the natural environment since I was a child. In 4H, I studied insects, geology (mineralogy and fossils), and soil conservation. I became interested in oceanography after watching the Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau. However, after my first oceanography class field trip, I discovered that I did not have sea legs and decided to stay focused on terrestrial ecosystems. After that I had opportunities to participate on the Penn State Soil Judging team and became involved in the relatively new science of remote sensing data analysis.

I am an associate research professor at Desert Research Institute. I am engaged in projects using ground and satellite data to understand ecosystem response to climate. I also have managed three joint DRI/UNLV/UNR climate change studies in Nevada. Currently I’m serving as the Nevada NASA EPSCoR and Space Grant director.

My degrees have provided a wide background in soil science, remote sensing, and ecosystem physiology. This has allowed me to participate in a number of research projects within Nevada and across the United States.

I was already working at DRI when I started my Ph.D. program at UNLV. My course of study at UNLV provided the plant and ecosystem science background necessary for me to conduct the climate response research projects I have been engaged with over the past 15 years. The faculty on my dissertation committee provided me enhanced networking with other researchers that provided opportunities to participate on a number of projects. The actual Ph.D. has enabled me to be more competitive for research funding.

I’ve been offered (and recognized) unique windows of career opportunities that have resulted in a successful education and career options. My recommendation to UNLV students is to watch for windows of opportunity that come their way and to become engaged in those opportunities that will provide hands on training in preparation for their career. Given the number of employees engaged in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers who are and will be retiring, I highly encourage students who are intrigued by why/how things work and who want to participate in building the future for our nation that they strongly consider an education and career in a STEM field.

I enjoy exploring the great outdoors, whether hiking or bicycling. I enjoy photographing what I see and sharing those images with others.