Her teaching focuses on ecology, and she frequently brings students in her lab course to the Genesee Valley Conservancy nature preserves and the GVC/SUNY Geneseo Research Reserve for projects on plant population ecology, forest communities, and ecosystem processes. Her research focuses on species interactions of various forms. As Chair of the Spencer J. Roemer Arboretum Advisory Board since 2013, she has overseen efforts to restore native vegetation and remove invasive species, with the goals of improving this parcel’s value for native pollinators and other wildlife and showcasing the beauty of native plants. She is originally from Albuquerque, NM, and enjoys hiking, running, cross-country skiing, and studying the natural history of the Genesee Valley.