I am a PhD candidate in the Entomology department at Rutgers. I am part of Dr. Cesar Rodriguez-Saona’s lab, and we study plant-insect interactions and chemical ecology in agricultural systems. With my research, I am interested in understanding how plant domestication has affected plant-insect interactions at a variety of levels of organization: from the molecular level (through gene-expression), to the chemical level (though plant chemical defenses), all the way to the organismal level (through insect preference and performance). I am using blueberries as a model plant system, and I currently collaborate with a variety of USDA research specialists to complete this research. I have had a very non-linear path into my current graduate program, which has included taking gap years and shifting fields prior to starting my graduate program at Rutgers. Despite this, this has not been a barrier to my own learning and academic success. I am also a strong advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in academia, and am a proud LGBTQIA+ identifying individual. I hope to continue to use my voice and experiences to initiate productive conversations and actions in order to make academia more equitable and inclusive for everyone. I look forward to meeting you and discussing any/all topics related to professional and personal development within your academic journey!