What Haverford experiences or relationships have influenced your path, and how?

My travels with the Global Studies program have evidently been the most influential experiences since graduation. The spring break and exchange trips to Nicaragua, Spain, and Ecuador were my first and only experiences outside of the country, exposing me to global ecosystems and lifestyles that fueled my earliest spates of interest in environmental studies. But I can't mention these trips without acknowledging the role of the art curriculum at Haverford. It was on my first trip to Nicaragua that I began experimenting and teaching myself how to work a camera, and it was not long after that I honed the craft in the introductory photography course. To no surprise, my fascination with these two disciplines directly translated to my undergraduate endeavors.

The most apparent influence of my artistic pursuits on my scientific investigations that comes to mind are simple, but powerful, in that they changes how I think about, approach, and consider the topics I focus on (climate knowledge and communication, creative expression, and employing empathy within the two). There is more to being an ecologist than simply understanding the environmental processes that occur in an ecosystem; there are human and nonhuman lives that need to be taken into consideration, with complex interactions between the two. Even in regards to how we view ourselves as artists, although everyone has the ability and freedom to create, we are often discouraged by thoughts like "I'm not a good painter," or "I was never that creative." In both instances, empathy has the power to expand our thoughts and acts of consideration, both for ourselves and others, human and nonhuman. 

What surprised you most about your research on jellyfish distribution patterns in the North and Baltic Sea?

One of my go-to fun facts right now is what makes the invasive Mnemiopsis leidyi (commonly known as the Sea Walnut) such a good invader. In addition to a high reproduction rate at >10,000 individuals per day, this species can survive for 10 weeks without food by reducing its body's carbon content up to 40% of its original value (Jaspers et al. 2021). The combination of these species-specific skills allows the species to not only dominate new areas en masse, but to also travel through unsuitable waters without food until they encounter suitable habitat. There are also premier genetic studies being conducted to show that subpopulations exist within species, some within the same body of water, that have different physiological tolerances and can, thus, inhabit various marine systems.

What advice would you give to Haverford students interested in pursuing a similar path?

On both an environmental and artistic note: ask questions about the world around you, near and far. What goes into maintaining the greenspace at Haverford? What happens if I mix this art form with another? Why do we have 60° days in November? More importantly than asking questions, though, is investigating and searching for answers. You won't always have access to such a large library resource and knowledgeable faculty, nor the time to enjoy it all. But most of all, pursue your interests—science or art or otherwise—for the sake of just that, your interest. It's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of a diploma or college admission, but be sure to devote effort to the things you truly care about.  

What do you hope your legacy will be? 

I hope my legacy will exist in the work that I leave behind; from physical artworks to a creative digital footprint, from research papers to communal environmental knowledge, I want it all to have purpose, substance, and longevity. The "work" that I do is not just a degree or career path, these are principles that I believe everyone should have the ability to engage with and benefit from. Everyone can learn and share what they learn, the same way that everyone can create and share what they create. My legacy will be putting empathetic intent behind those truths, and encouraging others to do so, on a daily basis.