Outreach, Education, and Inclusivity 

Teaching and education should not be restricted to the classroom. In addition to my formal teaching, I am an active participant in many outreach programs, some outlined below. I believe that science should be accessible to everyone and that being an active member of the community is important in creating an inclusive and equitable space. I broadly hope to share knowledge with the public and inspire the next generation of scientists by modeling unbridled excitement and curiosity for science, as well as welcoming everyone to explore the natural world!

Let's Botanize

This science communication outreach non-profit I started in collaboration with Ben Goulet-Scott focuses on democratizing the study of plant biology. We take scientifically rigorous information restricted to the academic space and turn it into digestible content in the form of videos and photos with educational captions and distribute it as widely as possible on social media. We work closely with many other content creators ranging from artists to landscape architects to bring plants into the foreground. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, LabXchange, or YouTube. Read more about us here, Let's Botanize!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

My dedication to and passion for DEI work stems from the intersectionality of my own identity. I deeply understand the importance of representation in STEM. As such, all that I do is through a lens of equity and inclusivity. Specifically, my DEI work is focused in two main spheres: administratively, through involvement in DEI initiatives and committees, and personally through inclusive mentorship and participation in educational programs focused on training and supporting underrepresented students in STEM.

Secondary Education Mentoring

The pipeline to an education and career in STEM is leaky. Given systemic issues of funding and access, these leaks disproportionately affect underrepresented minorities in the field. In order to create a more equitable, inclusive, and diverse field of science, it's important to engage with middle and high school students, demonstrating that science is an education and career path for them. In this capacity, I have been involved in a variety of secondary school mentorship programs including NSF Planting Science, Lakeside School’s Scientist of the Month, Arboretum Young Scientists, and many more!

Additional Outreach and Education 

2022 Cornell Insectapalooza science outreach event ceneterd around plants and insects

2022 Member of Cornell SIPS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee 

2022 Science Communication Workshop Leader Botanical Society of America Conference 

2022 Mentor for Arnold Arboretum Young Scientists Program

2020-2022 Member of Harvard University OEB Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee

2020-2022 American Fern Society student representative

2021 Creator and mentor of Plant Short Courses for high school students at the Margarita Muñiz Academy

2020 Harvard Museum of Natural History Fungus Fair coordinator

2018 Department Representative for the Graduate Student Council of Harvard University 

2018 Harvard Museum of Natural History Fungus Fair coordinator

2017-recurring American Society of Plant Biologist (ASPB): Master’s in plant science Team mentor

Teaching

Faculty Appointments


Courses Taught (*Denotes Instructor of Record)


Invited Lectures:


Awards:

Mentorship

Graduate Students

Arianna Lord (Harvard University Dept. OEB, '26)—Qualifying Exam Mentee 

Katherine Angier (Harvard University Dept. OEB, '27)—Qualifying Exam Mentee 


Undergraduate Students:

Emileen Flores (Cornell University, '25)

Sydney Colón (Cornell University, '24)

Makaleh Smith (The New School, '21)— The evolution of fertile-sterile leaf dimorphism in two fern families

Skylah Reis (Harvard College, '20) —The evolution of the water transport system in an invasive fern species: Lygodium microphyllum

Paul Cervantes (Harvard College, '20)