Hi, I’m mandy.

(she|they)

I am a scientist, educator, advocate, and artist. I am currently a Grand Challenges Initiative Postdoctoral Fellow at Chapman University, where I live and work on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Gabrielino-Tongva Nation (Orange, California).

I am trained as a marine ecologist. I hold a BS in Marine Science, Biology, and Ecosystem Science and Policy from the University of Miami, and a MS in Animal Biology and PhD in Ecology from the University of California, Davis.

My research interests are by nature interdisciplinary, including fields in the natural sciences (e.g., marine ecology, animal behavior and physiology, oceanography) as well as the humanities (e.g., feminist studies, sociology).

I strive to practice a critical feminist approach to all of my research. My research is value-driven. I am always learning, and I’m excited to see where I go next. Read more about my research here.

I have extensive fieldwork experience, including SCUBA diving under Antarctic sea ice and conducting research on oceanographic cruises and at remote marine field stations.

In addition to my research, I am a leader in gender-based violence prevention in academia and fieldwork. You can learn more about this work here.

As a queer, disabled woman, I am committed to teaching and mentoring following a science-based, activist pedagogy that centers belonging and safety for everyone.

When I’m not working, you can find me making art, tending my garden, or playing with my dog.