I am a Ph.D. candidate in geology at the University of Nevada, Reno, where I am studying active tectonic deformation using paleoseismology and geodesy.  I am working under Dr. Steve Wesnousky at the Center for Neotectonic Studies in the Mackay School of Earth Science and Engineering, and Dr. Bill Hammond and Dr. Corné Kreemer at the Nevada Geodetic Laboratory in the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology.  Presently, I am beginning work on two projects: studying the geometry of normal fault rupture and termination in the western Basin and Range, and modeling fault slip rates based on geodetic strain accumulation in the Central Walker Lane.

I grew up in Plymouth, Minnesota, far away from any major tectonic activity.  I spent most of my free time running, sailing, skiing, and wishing for more snow.  I decided that I had spent enough time as a flatlander and moved to the mountains to attend college.  I attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, where my family likes to joke that I got my degree in skiing.  Although I did spend a lot of time training and competing as a member of Whitman’s Nordic Ski team, I also earned my B.A. in Geology.  After college, I moved back to Minnesota and coached high school cross-country skiing for three years.  I loved coaching skiing, however I also wanted to study earthquakes.  So, I moved across the country again and ended up in Reno, where I have been busy exploring the Eastern Sierras and Lake Tahoe.