Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University (Fall 2025)
USDA Southern Plains Climate Hub
I investigate how herbivores, fire, and climate shape landscapes over time. My research integrates rangeland ecology, paleoecology, and biomolecular methods to understand long-term disturbance dynamics and ecosystem adaptation.
I develop and apply biomolecular proxies, especially fecal steroids preserved in lake sediments, to reconstruct past herbivore identity and abundance. This work opens new possibilities for understanding variability in open ecosystems and informing adaptive management strategies.
Understanding the deep past helps us anticipate and navigate uncertain futures. My work supports efforts to sustain ecological function, cultural memory, and land-based livelihoods, particularly in the working landscapes of the American West.
At New Mexico State University, I will be launching a research program focused on interactions among herbivores, fire, climate, and humans across ancient and contemporary cultural landscapes. I will be developing lab capacity for analysis of biomarkers and other paleoenvironmental proxies.