I chase the flow of curiosity wherever it leads: from electrofishing in Colorado’s streams to spinning tales at the D&D table, from interviewing water stakeholders to capturing watersheds through my lens. As a PhD candidate in Fisheries & Conservation Biology, I study how native and invasive fish share Western waters—and how humans can better share water itself. But science, to me, is deeply creative: it’s about translating complexity into connection.
My Currents
Science
Bridging ecology and policy in the Arid West
- How invasive mosquitofish and native topminnow coexist
- Why water managers make tough choices—and how conservation can thrive
- What 40 years of river data says about fish survival in drought and flood
Creativity
Where research becomes resonance
- Writing: Award-winning essays (Renewal, Colorado Water Trust) on water’s soul
- DMing: Crafting D&D worlds
- Lenswork: Documenting watersheds from Michigan to California
- Art: Sketching whatever comes to mind
My Journey
I’ve floated through landscapes as diverse as the stories I tell having lived across the United States from salty to freshwater coasts.
Virginia’s forested lakes → South Carolina’s coastal tides → Florida’s endangered Everglades → California’s kelp forests → Colorado’s trout streams → Michigan’s Great Lakes shores
Why It All Matters
Science needs creativity to change hearts.
Every dataset has a narrative; every policy affects living beings. We share this planet with mayflies and minnows, farmers and fishers—and my work, in all its forms, asks one question:
How do we keep our shared waters—and each other—flowing toward a resilient future?
Jump in, the water’s fine!
MY FAVORITES
Beyond the lab and the dice tower, you’ll find me exploring wild places with my favorite companions: my wife Megan and our adventure-loving dog Macie. Whether we’re hiking Colorado’s foothills at sunrise, combing California beaches for tide pools, or wandering Michigan’s Great Lakes shores, these moments ground me. Science and stories aren’t just about the natural world, they’re born from loving it deeply. Our trailside discoveries—a sand dollar, a bird’s nest, a hidden waterfall—recharge my scientific curiosity and creative spirit. At day’s end, whether I’m writing code or campaign lore, I carry those shared wonders with me.
