Bio

Katie is a student at Portland State University pursuing a master’s degree in environmental science and management. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in environmental studies from The College of New Jersey before working several field research positions across both coasts. While working with the USGS Herpetological Research Team in Corvallis, Oregon, Katie found her passion for the conservation of amphibians, a passion she has carried into her master’s thesis work. Outside of her research, Katie has too many hobbies and not enough time. Some of them include backpacking, sewing, rock hounding, attending concerts, and volunteering at her local wildlife rehab.

Katie’s research interests are broad but all focused around the effective management and conservation of wildlife. She is currently investigating the observed association between the northern red-legged frog and the western sword fern. She wants to understand the microhabitat characteristics that sword ferns can offer and how they might serve as valuable cool-air refugia for the vulnerable species in an altered climate.

Learn about Katie’s research project