I am a 2nd year Ph.D. student at the University of Houston (UH), who works at the UH Helium laboratory under Dr. Peter Copeland.  As a geochronologist, I seek to better understand tectonic processes and landscape evolution utilizing thermochronology and geochemistry of common minerals (e.g., zircon and apatite) from not just basement exposures, but also detrital sands and clasts. This novel technique allows me to better reconstruct the tectonic history of a region, even when the source basement is partially to completely eroded. 

My ongoing research is focused in the San Gabriel Mountains in southern California. Here, I am investigating the extent of plate margin deformation during times of tectonic reconfiguration by comparing the geochemistry and geochronology of detritus to source basement. One project is on the configuration of the supercontinent Rodinia prior to breakup around ~750 Ma. The second project is focused on the paleotectonic history of the San Andreas fault system during the transition from oblique convergence to strike-slip faulting. 

Past work from my masters at New Mexico State University (NMSU) was focused on the onset and tempo of ignimbrite flare-up volcanism in southern New Mexico. I recently submitted a paper that is currently in review.

My teaching experience includes three years at NMSU as a physical geology lab instructor in addition to ongoing duties at UH. At UH, I've taught Mineralogy and Physical Geology lab. 

In my free time, I like to scuba dive, write, and watch Netflix with my two cats.  If you have any questions about my research or wish to collaborate, feel free to contact me.