I am interested in the evolution and molecular mechanisms that underly plant-insect interactions. Specifically, I hope to ask what is the molecular basis of cross-species interactions and how has the evolution of these interactions shaped the diversity that we see today. My work focuses on Zamia cycads and their weevil pollinators and lepidopteran herbivores.  This system is particularly interesting in their apparent species-specific pollinator interactions, highly toxic plant tissue, and threatened conservation statuses. I did my PhD with Naomi Pierce and Robin Hopkins at Harvard University and am currently an NSF PRFB Fellow with Chelsea Specht and Rob Raguso at Cornell University. I took a round about trip getting to academia which you can read a little bit about in my introduction blog post. I am also on the board of directors for the Cycad Society