My individuality continues to be shaped by my past and present experiences on social, psychological, and emotional levels. Growing up, I was always a keen learner and active child. My parents introduced me to many different activities, all of which I enjoyed, however I was always most excited to be outdoors. My childhood memories are littered with canoe trips, hikes, and mountain biking excursions. Many of these activities I continue to practice today. Last summer, I completed my first solo 80 km backpacking trip in Killarney Provincial Park. I have also been the Co-president of the University Cycling Club at the University of Guelph for the last two years, developing the club from 3 to 45 members.

Ecology is a field of science that studies ecological processes occurring on individual, population, and community scales. My attraction to the subject was inspired by Jane Goodall, a leading activist in this field. Jane Goodall chose to follow her passion researching chimpanzees despite the opposition she faced for being a women in science. After second year I picked up a minor in mathematics and began volunteering in Dr. Fryxell’s lab, and in the Fall 2018 I conducted my first independent research project under his expertise. The success of discovering publishable data inspired me to pursue a mathematical research project this semester (Winter 2019).

Just recently, I was admitted into a master’s program studying the spatial movement of moose in Manitoba. For my project I will explore the underlying drivers of moose movement by looking at the occupancy and abundance in different habitats. The professor I will be working under is situated in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and my two co-advisors are situated in Utah and Mississippi, USA. An interesting fact about me is that I am duel-citizenship so will be spending 4-6 months working in both co-advisor’s labs.

At this time, my current career goal is to produce an outstanding project over the next two years. Similarly, I hope to become an expert in spatial movement and use this knowledge to eventually obtain a job helping solve climate change issues. This upcoming semester I will be spending 4 hours a week completing background research on this subject in the hopes of getting a ‘head-start’ before I begin. I believe that my drive, work ethic, and time management skills will help me become a high-achieving and passionate ecologist in the near future.