Spotlight: Finding shared research narratives

I grew up in Saint Louis, Missouri, about as far from an ocean as you can get. Every summer, my family and I would get into our old car with no air conditioning and drive for two days to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I remember walking for hours on the beach, searching for shells.

When I went to college, I wasn’t focused on becoming a marine biologist. I didn’t even take a science class until my second year. I’ve always been drawn to the humanities and indulged in taking as many history and literature classes as I could. 

A turning point for me came when I took an invertebrate zoology class with Dr. Mark Bertness at the beginning of my junior year at Brown University. He introduced me to marine ecology, helping me recognize the dynamics that shape ecosystems and how to frame and execute research to understand those patterns more deeply. I view research as a story where I’m trying to figure out who the main characters are and what the core plot is. 

Before starting my PhD, I spent a couple of years at the World Resources Institute, an NGO headquartered in Washington, D.C. There, I learned how to use Geographic Information System (GIS) software while working on the Global Forest Watch and Reefs at Risk Programs. That work piqued my interest in spatial patterns, to understand where coral reefs or forests may be most threatened, and in working with partners to conduct research that informs decision-making. 

During my PhD, I focused on the effectiveness of marine protected areas in preventing coral cover loss, including loss caused by climate change. After earning my doctorate, I continued working at environmental NGOs that co-designed projects with governments, companies, and civil society organizations. Partners weren’t just project participants. We collaborated to identify research needs and opportunities, and used results to push for evidence-based changes on the ground. 

When I joined Stanford, I found that the Center is modeled after a similar partner-driven approach, which is unique for academia. One of the most meaningful parts of my current role as Managing Director is working with talented students, colleagues, and research partners who are based outside the university. Much of the work we do is a long game, as research and building trusted relationships with partners takes time. 

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received, and the one I share with students, came before my PhD qualifying exams. A mentor told me they would ask questions to test my knowledge, so I had to be comfortable saying, “I don’t know.” I think about that a lot because that’s the heart of research; there will always be things you don’t know. Approaching research and collaborations with curiosity and humility not only makes us better researchers but also better colleagues. 

I’m excited for the next few years at the Center. The relationships we’ve built with collaborators enable us to be more ambitious together. In my role, I’m always listening for what collaborators are excited about and then identifying overlap between those ideas and work that we believe can have a big impact. There are so many characters and plots to figure out. Each discovery brings us closer to understanding and shaping the narratives we want for our future.