I am a third-year Ph.D. student in the Land and Atmospheric Science program. Previously, I also received my B.S. in Biology, with minors in Social Justice and Global Studies, from UMN in 2012. It was during my undergraduate time — and specifically in HECUA and environmental justice courses. I am passionate about conducting research that creates knowledge to support the development of equitable and sustainable food systems. My current research focuses on how urban agriculture interacts with the physical and cultural environment in which it is located. This project is embedded in Minneapolis/St. Paul and utilizes participatory research to explore ecosystem services (such as soil health, biodiversity, crop production, etc.) and develop long-term community-university collaboration networks. I'm also involved in urban agriculture outside of school; I help coordinate the FairShare Farm Community Garden in Southeast Como and am on the board of the Twin Cities Agricultural Land Trust. When I'm not enjoying time in gardens or digging in the soil, I'm enjoying time with my family — especially helping my parents around the house — and biking, cooking, and going to wayyyyyy too many theater productions.