Summer (she/her) is a second year PhD student in Dr. Chris Schell's lab studying wildlife genetics and conservation science in the Anthropocene. Her research aims to understand the genetic ramifications of urbanization, human-wildlife conflict, and anthropogenic stressors, as well as how these phenomena are shaped by various social-ecological factors.
Before joining Cal, Summer worked at Stanford University as a lab manager and academic researcher in Dr. Liz Hadly's conservation biology lab, and previously in Dr. Ami Bhatt's microbiome genetics lab. After graduating from UC Davis, Summer worked as a veterinary technician and then as a wildlife ranger in Yosemite National Park.
When Summer is not in lab she enjoys rock climbing, backpacking, performing in musical theater, mountain biking, and cuddling with her four rescued research laboratory cats.