Degrees
Ph.D., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Irvine, Expected 2025
B.S., Biology, Villanova University, 2020
Research
Drivers of microbial biodiversity and community assembly under global change
Biography
Kristin grew up in Colorado exploring the Rocky Mountains bordering her hometown. She completed her bachelor’s degree in biology at Villanova University in Pennsylvania while conducting research focusing on metabolic pathway evolution in yeast. She then moved across the country to combine her love of nature with her fascination for microorganisms. Now at UC Irvine, Kristin is a Ph.D. student in Dr. Jennifer Martiny’s microbial ecology lab. Her research focuses on understanding how microbial communities recover from environmental disturbances like drought and wildfire. In her free time, Kristin enjoys hiking, playing soccer, and trail running.
Why is science communication important to you personally?
Scientific research is how we explore and understand the world around us and helps drive societal advancement. Yet, scientific research is often written and discussed in a way that is uninspired and confusing for most people. It is my philosophy that science should be disseminated in a way that can be shared, celebrated, and understood by all. Effective science communication ensures that everyone has the opportunity to learn and engage in conversations about the world we all live in.