I am a Population Geneticist and Science Communicator at Ancestry.com, a family history and direct to consumer genetic testing company. I work on translating our science for internal, cross-functional partners, and for our everyday users.

Previously, I served as an AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow (2020-21) hosted at the Federal Judicial Center, where I worked on topics of genomics and scientific evidence for the Federal Judiciary.

I earned my PhD in Genome Sciences from the University of Washington and worked as a post-doctoral research fellow in the Akey lab at Princeton University studying human genetics and evolution. My research focused on human and Neanderthal admixture and the distribution of Neanderthal ancestry across the globe and within our genomes. Before that, as an undergraduate at Oberlin College, I excavated pre-Roman dwellings in the hills of Italy and studied the bones of Early Bronze Age urbanites from Jordan. I also worked for multiple years studying the genetic etiology of psychiatric disorders as part of the Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetic Unit (PNGU) at Massachusetts General Hospital.

I have a strong interest in science policy and communication, especially in regards to human genetics. I’m passionate about improving genetic literacy for all demographics. I’ve presented for public lectures, written articles for general audiences, spoken with congressional representatives, and made appearances on local radio.