I received my Doctorate in Animal, Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Vermont, Dept. of Animal Science. My graduate study focused on the rumen microbiology of the moose (Alces alces), including identification using high throughput sequencing and DNA analysis, isolation of bacteria using anaerobic culturing techniques, and investigation/application of economically and environmentally important species. From there, I transitioned to a post-doctoral research position in the Yeoman Lab in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences of Montana State University working on the bioinformatic analysis of soil, water, and host-associated microbes. This was followed by a post-doc in the Menalled Lab at Montana State University, in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences studying agricultural soil bacterial communities. After that, I was a Research Assistant Professor of Microbial Ecology in the Biology and the Built Environment Center at the University of Oregon working to understand how building design influences the indoor microbiome and human health.
What better way to learn about host microbiota than an anatomically-correct dissected cat costume? 
My committee chair, Dr. Neil Sarker, who hooded me at graduation. 
My Ph.D. adviser, Dr. Andre Wright, and fellow lab member Dr. Laura Cersosimo. 
Collecting fresh samples for culturing. 
Anaerobic cultures from the rumen of the moose. 
We need to filter out the particles or they will clog the sprayer. Also pictured: Dr. Fabian Menalled. 
Weighing in the pasture. Credit: Lee Warren. 
Hanging out witht heir adopted mother. Credit: Lee Warren. 
Photo Credit: Kristina Drobny 
