Summer is a first year PhD student in Dr. Chris Schell's lab at UC Berkeley in the department of Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management. Her research interests include genetics, ecology, and evolution - especially as they pertain to wildlife research, conservation, and environmental justice.
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 a wildlife (black bear) manager in Yosemite National Park.
When Summer is not in lab she enjoys rock climbing, backpacking, performing musical theater, mountain biking, and tending to her four rescued research laboratory cats.