A little about me: I am a Portland/Oregon native. After graduating high school in 2003, I served in the Air Force for 4 years as an enlisted loadmaster aboard the C-17 cargo plane. While stationed in Tacoma/Washington, I traveled around the world, setting foot in over 25 countries including Japan, Australia, Germany, Djibouti, Iraq, and Afghanistan.



After an honorable discharge from the Air Force, I backpacked around Europe for 3 months spending days in either Rome, Budapest, Prague, Barcelona (to name a few), and visiting my extended family in Germany and Croatia. 



From 2009 to 2012, I studied Biology (and Anthropology) at Portland State University, with a focus in plant ecology. I graduated with Latin Honors and Honors in Biology after completing my senior honors thesis on the early growth of the invasive grass, false brome, under various forest litter types and depths.



My studies have ignited a passion for ecological fieldwork- especially in the realm of plants (native and invasive), biogeography (patterns and processes of species' distributions), wildlife and invertebrate biology, habitat restoration/conservation, and GIS to assist with the mapping and analysis of biological phenomena. 



My hobbies and interests include hiking, camping, backpacking, biking, jogging, guitar, cooking, bird watching, traveling to warm climates, photography, reading, Buddhist philosophy, wine, and spending time with my beautiful wife and loving family.