Education and Training

July 2012-Present.
Postdoctoral Scholar in Geobiology.
Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology. Advisor: Dr. Victoria J. Orphan
July 2011-July 2012.
Agouron Postdoctoral Scholar in Geobiology.
Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology. Advisor: Dr. Victoria J. Orphan
October 2010- July 2011
Post Doctoral Scholar in Geobiology.
Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences California Institute of Technology. Advisor: Dr. Victoria J. Orphan

2010
Ph.D., Biochemistry, Montana State University. NSF-IGERT Fellow in Geobiological Systems. Thesis Advisor: Dr. John W. Peters.
Thesis Title:

Investigations on [FeFe]-hydrogenase active site biosynthesis

accessible at:
http://etd.lib.montana.edu/etd/view/item.php?id=1127

2005
B.S. With High Honors, Chemistry 2005, Montana State University

Other Professional Experience

DAAD Undergraduate Scholar
Summer 2005 Institute of Chemical Technology. University Campus Vaihingen, Stuttgart Germany.
Supervisor: Constanze Fritsch

Geology Field Assistant
Summer 2006 Wheaton Glacier, Yukon Territories, Canada.
Supervisor: Dr. Mark Skidmore

NASA Planetary Biology Internship
Summer 2008 Planetary Science Division, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California.
Supervisor: Dr. Michael Russell

NSF-IGERT International Exchange
Winter 2010
Ph.D. related research. University of Southampton, U.K.
Supervisor: Dr. Peter L. Roach

Awards

2011 U. Hawaii Winter Astrobiology School Attendee.
2009 NASA Astrobiology Institute Santander Summer School Scholar.
2008 Planetary Biology Internship – Research conducted at Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
2008 European Astrobiology Network Travel Award.
2008 International Society for Astrobiology Travel Award.
2006-2010 NSF-IGERT Fellow in Geobiological Systems.
Dean’s List, All years of University.
2005 DAAD RISE Scholar.
2005 Minerva "Tommy" Morgan Scholarship.
2005 MSU Fry Scholarship.
2005 MSU Award for Academic Excellence.
2003 Golden Key Award, MSU Bozeman Chapter.
2003 W.E. Mares Scholarship, MSU Bozeman.
2002 University Bonhomme Scholarship, MSU Bozeman.
2001 Outstanding Academic Performance Award on ACT.