Research Interests

  • Ecology (specifically community ecology, species distributions, range shifts)
  • Invasive species in the subarctic and tundra ecosystems
  • Conservation and biodiversity in the context of climate change

For my complete research record, please see my Publons.

Education

 
 
 
 
 
Doctor of Philosophy in Science
Kotanen Lab
Jan 2020 – Dec 2025 University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)
  • Focus of Study: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB).
  • Thesis: Invasion risk of non-native species in the subarctic (in progress). Supervised by Dr. Peter Kotanen.
 
 
 
 
 
Honours Bachelor of Science (with high distinction)
University of Toronto
Sep 2015 – Apr 2019 Ontario, Canada
  • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Major, Environmental Biology Major, Linguistics Minor.
  • Thesis: “Distribution and range shifts of P. americana and P. pennsylvanica". Co-supervised by Locke Rowe and David Punzalan.
  • Field course: EEB406 / Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology (OUPFB). Effect of human development on aquatic environments and biodiversity in China.

Research Experience

 
 
 
 
 
Graduate Research Assistant
Kotanen Lab
Jan 2020 – Present University of Toronto Mississauga
 
 
 
 
 
Laboratory and Field Assistant
Kotanen Lab
Sep 2019 – Dec 2019 University of Toronto Mississauga
  • collected seeds for experiments.
  • trained, mentored and collaborated with an undergraduate work study student.
 
 
 
 
 
Researcher
Rowe and McCauley Lab
May 2019 – Aug 2019 University of Toronto at the Koffler Scientific Reserve
  • conducted field and lab research investigating the effect of de-icing road salt on aquatic ecosystems.
  • collected live organisms (dragonfly nymphs and adults of multiple species), monitored organisms daily, recorded and analyzed data.
  • funded by the KSR USRA.
 
 
 
 
 
EEB Work Study Student
Frederickson Lab
Sep 2018 – Feb 2019 University of Toronto
  • managed, maintained and provided care to over 120 isogenic and mixed duckweed cultures.
  • assisted in data collection for lab projects.
  • completed other lab tasks when applicable.
 
 
 
 
 
EEB Work Study Student
Rollinson Lab
May 2018 – Aug 2019 University of Toronto
  • inputted and digitized field observations of reptiles into a reptile database.
  • interpreted and simplified complex observations, recognized anomalies in data records.
  • assisted in other lab work when applicable.

Other Employment

 
 
 
 
 
Chief Presiding Officer
University of Toronto Mississauga
Dec 2021 – Present Accessibility Services
  • provide students with the best possible environment in which to write examinations during the final exam period.
  • enforce exam rules and regulations with authority, and ensuring exams run smoothly.
  • make announcements, respond to emergencies
 
 
 
 
 
Test and Exam Invigilator
University of Toronto Mississauga
Sep 2021 – Present Accessibility Services
  • provide students who require accessibiltiy accommodations with the best possible environment in which to write quizzes, tests, and exams during the semester.
  • enforce fairness and academic integrity while ensuring that accommodations and requirements for students are being followed.
 
 
 
 
 
Morrison Hall Residence Porter
University College
Sep 2017 – Apr 2019 University of Toronto
  • act as a source of information for University College residents and guests as a Daytime and Overnight Porter.
  • responded to and reported safety, maintenance, and emergency issues in residence.
  • ensured the security of two residence buildings.
 
 
 
 
 
Customer Experience Representative
Indigo Books and Music
Oct 2015 – Mar 2020 Indigo Eaton Center
  • assisted customers to create an exceptional shopping experience, and performed various customer service tasks.
  • held cashier duties, assisted customers, answered phone inquiries, shelved books, replenished products.

Talks

Invasions by non-native plants in Churchill, Manitoba
Soil feedbacks in northern ecosystems invaded by non-native plants

Teaching

Course Instructorship

Introduction to Biological Data (BIO259), University of Toronto Mississauga | Sep-Dec 2025

  • Teach the exploration and analysis of biological data through computation in R. Topics include: import datasets, parse and manipulate data, conduct statistical tests and interpret results, analyze and create plots

Data Mining, Modeling and Biostatistics (BINF 5003), Humber Polytechnic | Jan-Apr 2025

  • Taught theory, concepts, and code‑along classes (3 hours) weekly to mature learners that cover topics such as introduction to R, data analysis and visualization, predictive modeling, dimension reduction, and clustering
  • Guide students through an independent research project
  • Note: this course is one of five courses that are part of the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Bioinformatics for international students

Plant Ecology (BIO330), University of Toronto Mississauga | Sep-Dec 2024

  • Taught biweekly hour‑long lectures to upper year undergraduate students that cover topics related to the population and community ecology of plants
  • Topics include: resource acquisition, growth and reproduction, mutualisms, competition, defense, invasions, disturbance, population dynamics, and community structure

Data Analytics and Storytelling (BINF5503), Humber Polytechnic | Jan-Apr 2024

  • Taught concepts and code‑along lesson (3 hour class) weekly to mature learners that cover topics including data statistics and visualizations in R and Python, command line, reproducibility, interactive web apps, and scientific literacy and communication
  • Note: this course is one of five courses that are part of the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Bioinformatics

Data Mining, Modeling and Biostatistics (BINF 5003), Humber Polytechnic | Sep-Dec 2023

  • Taught theory and concepts (1 hour lecture) and code‑along lesson (3 hour tutorial) weekly to mature learners that cover topics such as introduction to R, data analysis and visualization, predictive modeling, dimension reduction, and clustering
  • Guide students through an independent research project
  • Note: this course is one of five courses that are part of the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Bioinformatics.

Quantitative Methods in R for Biology (EEB313), University of Toronto | Sep-Dec 2023, 2022

  • Helped undergrad students develop skills in R using applied problems in ecology and evolutionary biology
  • Used code-along lectures to teach syntax, functions, data management, data manipulation, visualization, modelling, statistical analysis, and simulation for solving biological problems
  • Guided students through a relevant hypothesis-driven semester-long project

Teaching Assistantships

Arctic Field Ecology (BIO332), Churchill | 24 Jul-7 Aug 2025, 27 Jul-10 Aug 2024, 20 Jun-3 Aug 2023, 27 Jul-10 Aug 2022

  • Taught a rigorous 2-week field course in Churchill, Manitoba
  • Duties included: acting as a field guide and teaching students about wildlife while ensuring safety of class; moderating lectures; assisting in photodocumentation; advising student experiments; and marking assessments

Plant Ecology (BIO330), UTM | Jan-Apr 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020*

  • Designed and taught two weekly discussion-based tutorial sections
  • Duties included: preparing and running tutorials; moderating lectures; marking assignments and final examinations; and meeting with the instructor and other teaching assistants on a weekly basis
  • *Affected by university closure due to COVID-19 pandemic

Ecology (BIO205), UTM | Sep-Dec 2020

  • Run two weekly help sections virtually.
  • Administrative Assistant: Perform administrative tasks for class of 350+ students.

Ecology (Sessional Instructional Assistant, BIO205), UTM | Sep-Dec 2019

  • Teach two weekly laboratory sections.
  • Duties include: preparing and running both indoor and field practicals; marking assignments, midterm and final examinations; invigilating examinations; and meeting with the professor other teaching assistants on a weekly basis.

Guest Lectures

BIO332 (Arctic Field Ecology), Churchill | 31 Jul 2024

  • Invasive species at the edge of the Arctic

BIO332 (Arctic Field Ecology), Churchill | 25 Jul 2023

  • Invasive species at the edge of the Arctic

BIO330 (Plant Ecology), UTM | 27 Mar 2023

  • Range limits, invaders, and enemies

BIO332 (Arctic Field Ecology), Churchill | 1 Aug 2022

  • Invasive species at the edge of the Arctic

BIO330 (Plant Ecology), UTM | 23 Mar 2022

  • Range limits, invaders, and enemies

BIO318/328 (Animal Behaviour), UTM | 7 Feb 2022

  • Range shifts, hybridisation, and climate change (virtual)

BIO330 (Plant Ecology), UTM | 24 Mar 2021

  • Range limits, invaders, and enemies (virtual)

BIO318/328 (Animal Behaviour), UTM | 1 Mar 2021

  • Range shifts, hybridisation, and climate change (virtual)

BIO330 (Plant Ecology), UTM | 25 Mar 2020

  • Range limits, invaders, and enemies (virtual)

Technical Workshops

Introduction to R, Bioinformatics.ca | 26-27 Jun 2023

  • teach and assist in 2-day workshop focused on R syntax, functions and packages for graduate students with little to no familiarity in R

Scientific Service

Departmental Committees

Atwood Colloquium in Ecology and Evolution Co‑Chair, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto | 2022*, 2023

  • Organized the annual departmental colloquium: coordinated with and delegated tasks among volunteers, communicated with invited speakers, handled administrative, scheduling, and day‑of logistics
  • *Hybrid; included more technical responsibilities including assisting with online activities that seamlessly blended with in‑person experiences

Equity, Diversity, and Elimination of Racism (EDERD) Committee, Department of Biology, University of Toronto | Sep 2021-Aug 2022

  • Responsible for providing oversight on community outreach, organization of a speaker series on topics related to the history, philosophy and culture of science academia, identifying and addressing both systematic and individual discriminatory matters at the departmental level
  • Helped to develop, administer, and analyze responses from a department‑wide survey, providing insight and making recommendations to the Chair to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion

Seminar Committee, Department of Biology, University of Toronto | Sep 2020-Aug 2021

  • Responsible for organizing weekly seminars: coordinated with invited speakers and host labs, moderated questions, and facilitated discussion during grad student lunches
  • Helped establish the biannual Special Topics Seminars, featuring speakers selected by grad students that present diverse biology topics beyond the scope of research (e.g., pedagogy, commnication, philosophy and history of science, policy, art, EDI, etc.).

Mentorship

Grad Mentor, EEB Grad Mentorship Program | Sep 2020-Apr 2023

  • Total graduate mentees to date: 3

Graduate Mentor, Grad Connect Mentorship Program | Oct 2019-Mar 2022

  • Meet bimonthly to discuss graduate school, experiences, and hurdles in school or professional employment
  • Total mentees to date: 2 (senior Biology undergraduate students).

Mentor, Mentorship and Summer Research Program, Side By Side Agency | 2020-2022

  • Total mentees to date: 4; panels served to date: 4.

Scientist Mentor and Liason, PlantingScience | Sep 2019-Apr 2020

  • Mentor student research teams online.
  • Assist on student projects and inspire appreciation for science and plants.
  • Sponsored by the Ecological Society of America (ESA).

Peer Mentor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Peer Mentorship Program | Oct 2018-Mar 2019

  • Assisted two incoming 2nd year EEB students integrate into U of T EEB community, shared experiences, ensured mentees are aware of opportunities and resources.
  • Attended events, workshops and lab meetings with mentees.

E-Mentor, University College | Jun 2018-Sep 2018

  • Assisted incoming UC freshmen prepare for and transition into first year by providing a valuable personal connection, information about events, referrals to campus resources.
  • Answered all emails and questions.

Leadership

Sports Rep, UTM Biology Graduate Student Society (BGSS) | Jun 2023-Apr 2024

  • Promote physical wellbeing of graduate students. Organize active workshops and events for the Biology graduate community
  • Manage volleyball intramurals team comprised of the Biology graduate students over two semesters

Administrative Executive, Executive Council, UofTCoders | Sep 2021-present

  • Build community between researchers in other departments through panels and social events, allowing graduate students to connect with each other and share coding and technical skills
  • Perform any administrative duties, including scheduling, promotion, and communication with Coders community

EEB Rep, UTM Biology Graduate Student Society (BGSS) | Jun 2020-May 2022

  • Represent and engage EEB graduate students in departmental events.
  • Contribute to event planning and execution.

UTM Rep, EEB Graduate Student Association (EGSA) | Jun 2020-May 2021

  • Represent the EEB graduate students based at UTM and convey updates and information between campuses.

Communications Director, UTM Biology Graduate Student Society (BGSS) | Sep 2019-May 2020

  • Convey informational messages between internal executives and external biology graduate students.
  • Assist in organizing and promoting social events.

CUPE Steward, EEB Graduate Student Association (EGSA) | Sep 2019-May 2020

  • CUPE Local 3902 Unit 1.
  • Relay information on Union updates and benefit coverage to graduate students. Attend steward’s council meetings.
  • Run information on sessions on healthcare and other benefits.

President, U of T Table Tennis Club (UTTTC) | Apr 2018-Mar 2020

  • Act as the spokesperson for the club externally.
  • Responsible for the organization, administration and continuity of the club. Make important decisions regarding all aspects of the club, prepare and follow a detailed schedule of the club for an academic year, delegate duties among executive members.
  • Ensure availability in supporting other executives in their role.
  • Other executive roles:
    • Vice-President (2017-2018)
    • Public Relations Officer (2020-2021, 2016-2017)

Rec’ED Youth Leader, City of New Westminster | 2012-2014

  • Completed a 10-week training program regarding leadership, safety, bullying, conflict resolution and program planning.
  • Volunteered as a teaching assistant at an after-school theatre program.
  • Organized and volunteered at school-wide events, city-wide events and orientation.

Outreach

Site Coordinator, Let’s Talk Science (LTS) UTM | Sep 2020-Aug 2025

  • Engage youth in STEM learning experiences
  • Liaise with educators, schedule programming and outreach, manage, train, and support over 200 undergraduate volunteers that deliver hands-on STEM activities to K‑12 students in the Peel Region
  • Organize highly‑attended community events such as the Let’s Talk Science Challenge and Science Rendezvous

Graduate Speaker, Grad Connect, University of Toronto Mississauga | 2019-2022

  • Invited. Presented on panels & answered questions during Q&A on my undergraduate research experience, my pathway to and current experience in grad school, and current research
  • Total panels served: 3 (Research Scholars Fair, Meet the Grad Night)

Station Scientist, Classroom Field Trip at KSR | 28 Oct 2019

  • Organized a “Trees and Plants” station for a class of grade 5/6 students.
  • Led a hike to identify common trees, and taught children about seasonality changes and how to age trees.

Station Leader, Alumni Outreach at KSR | 11 Oct 2019

  • Organize a “Trees and Plants” station at an annual event for U of T alumni and families, with a focus on children aged 7-13.
  • Lead a tree walk to identify common trees and age trees and teach children how to press leaves and flowers.

Let’s Talk Science Volunteer, Science Literacy Week at UTM | 18 Sep 2019

  • Volunteered at a booth and communicated ocean-related science topics.

Student Panelist, Gaining Research Experience in EEB | 23 Jan 2019

  • Invited.
  • Presented my undergraduate research and academic experience within department to undergraduate students.

Workshops

Instructor, The Carpentries, International | Aug 2022-present

  • teach and assist Carpentry workshops to spread data literacy and programmatic skills both locally and globally.
  • to date: R for Reproducible Scientific Analysis (1)

Contributer, Instructor, Helper, UofTCoders, UofT | Sep 2021-present

  • Share coding skills in lessons and co-working sessions with the scientific community at UofT (lessons taught: 1; lessons helped: 3)

Volunteer

Lead Volunteer, Atwood Colloquium in Ecology and Evolution | Apr 2024, 2025

  • Liaise with three invited speakers and coordinate schedules
  • Organize and coordinate a team of volunteers to set up refreshments, and clean up

Graduate Core Volunteer & Moderator, Atwood Colloquium in Ecology and Evolution (Virtual) | 17-18 Apr 2021

  • Assisted in setting up, organizing, coordinating, and moderating a virtual colloquium

Undergraduate Volunteer, Atwood Colloquium in Ecology and Evolution | Apr 2018

  • Assisted in the success of the colloquium as part of the set up and clean up committee.

Volunteer, Toronto Undergraduate Linguistic Conference (TULCON) | Mar 2018

  • Assisted in signing in presenters, tracking conference attendees, directing attendees, and selling t-shirts as part of the Welcome and Registration Committee.

Facilitated Study Group Leader, U of T Society of Linguistic Undergraduates | 2017-2018

  • Designed fun and unique activities for LIN101 (Introduction to Linguistics: Sound Structure), LIN102 (Introduction to Linguistics: Sentence Structure and Meaning), and LIN332 (Syntactic Patterns in Language).
  • Led a class of students and helped them review material for upcoming examinations.

Peer Tutor and Coordinator, Math Elite | 2012-2016

  • Tutored middle and high school students up to three times a week after school.
  • Coordinated, led and taught a class of student-athletes.
  • Taught and strengthened skills in math, sciences, social studies, English and French.

Table Tennis Assistant Coach, Greater Vancouver Table Tennis Club | 2013-2015

Provincial Table Tennis Umpire, British Columbia | 2013-2015

Table Tennis Team Captain, New Westminster Secondary School | 2013-2015

Volunteer, Burnaby Hospice Society and Thrift Store | 2013

Departmental Committees

Curriculum Committee, Biology Department, UTM | Sep 2023-present

EDI Committee, Biology Department, UTM | Sep 2020-Aug 2021

Professional Membership

Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution; The Ecological Society of America; International Association for Landscape Ecology

Scholarships and Awards

Northern Scientific Training Program
Awarded to supplement field biology research in the 2024 field season. Valued at $3,600.
Northern Research Fund
Awarded to fund resources for field research at the CNSC. Valued at $500.
Northern Scientific Training Program
Awarded to supplement field biology research in the 2023 field season. Valued at $4,000.
Northern Research Fund
Awarded to fund resources for field research at the CNSC. Valued at $731.
Graduate Student Research Award
Awarded as additional support for international conferences. Valued at $3763.
Postgraduate Scholarships - Doctoral
Valued at $63,000 over three years.
Northern Scientific Training Program
Awarded to supplement field biology research in the 2022 field season. Valued at $4,600.
Northern Research Fund
Awarded to fund resources for field research at the CNSC. Valued at $1,050.
Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s
Valued at $17,500.
Northern Research Fund
Awarded to fund resources for field research at the CNSC. Valued at $1,137.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship
Valued at $15,000.
Northern Scientific Training Program
Awarded to supplement field biology research (carried forward into 2021 field season, as the 2020 field season was cancelled due to COVID-19). Valued at $3,500.
Grant-in-aid of Research
Awarded to partially fund field biology research. Valued at $1,400.
Zimmerman/Weis Graduate Award
Awarded to partially fund research stipend. Valued at ~$5,500.
Graduating Year Awards
Ann Shepard Memorial Gold Medal for Biological Sciences. Valued at $588. Grant H. Ferguson Scholarship Fund. Valued at $232.52.
Dean’s List
Designation given for having a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.50 or higher.
Undergraduate Student Research Award
Awarded by KSR to fund stipend during an independent undergraduate summer research project. Valued at $6,000.
Indigo Scholarship
Awarded by Indigo for an original essay. Valued at $3,000.
Graduation Program Examinations Scholarship
Awarded for academic achievement in provincial examinations. Valued at $1,250.
Class of ‘64 Bursary
Awarded for student achievement and volunteer work. Valued at $750.
Diploma
Honour Roll.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Advanced skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

R

Descriptive statistics; exploratory data analyses and visualization; regression, modelling, Bayesian inference.

Python

Basic skills and some experience.

Maxent

Intermediate skill in species distribution modelling, output analyses.

English

Native.

Mandarin Chinese

Native.

French

B2.

Certifications

Instructor

The Carpentries

First Aid and CPR Level C

Canadian Red Cross

Non-Restricted Firearms License – Possession

Ontario