She earned her B.S. at the University of New Mexico, her M.S. from Colorado State University, and her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Kristy also received a Ford Foundation Doctoral Fellowship and a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. She is passionate about undergraduate research and engages students in projects examining the effects dwarf mistletoes on host physiology and ecology. She is dedicated to teaching and is an active member of SACNAS. Kristy is a leader of 500 Women Scientists.