Hobbies

Fly-Fishing

Illustration

I thoroughly enjoy drawing and painting (along with other crafts!) as a creative respite that balances my academic and research tasks. As a young adult, I took professional art classes for several years in the hope of working as an animator for Disney or Dreamworks. Although I chose a different career path, I still relish opportunities to tap into my art skills, whether it be making field sketches in my geological notebooks or painting pet portraits for friends and family.

Walking, Hiking, & Training With My Dogs

I first learned to fly-fish as a child going on trout trips to southern Missouri with my dad, and it’s an hobby I still enjoy today. Central Pennsylvania (where I am currently located) is home to many blue-ribbon trout streams that are fishable year round—best case scenario for a hobbyist angler!

When I’m not working, chances are I’m with my dogs! Rowan (lab/shepherd mix) and Bucky (Silken Windhound) are my faithful companions, and they love joining me for a walk, hike, romp through the creek, and any other outdoor adventure we can conjure up. One of our favorite activities is walking through our local state game lands while we birdwatch and look for rocks, bones, and feathers. I also enjoy dog training, and Bucky and I sometimes participate in novice agility trials.

Horseback Riding

While I don’t get the chance to ride very often, horsemanship is one of my oldest passions. I enjoy both English and Western disciplines and one day hope to have a horse companion of my own.

Volunteering

Building community is often a hefty but critical task. For the last 1-2 years, I have been volunteering with The Print Factory, a local non-profit inclusive bookshop and community space. Through this opportunity, I have had the pleasure of meeting and building relationships with community members, as well as organizing events that directly serve locals and their needs.