IM DEFENDING MY THESIS TOMORROW!!!

Heading back to NM to defend my thesis Monday April 1st at 1pm mountain time. DM me with your email for a clickable zoom link if you’d like to join and hear about my work on Burrowing Owl nest survival and productivity!

A newly graduated student from a class I TA’d in Spring 2022 gave me this beautiful card to thank me for all the advice and support. I immediately started crying. This is why I’m here. And why I’ll keep going. Because if I can be a scientist, anybody can.

my undergrad loans transferred to @Nelnet this year. I’m currently a grad student, yet they’re charging me interest (>90% of my loans were SUBSIDIZED loans) and expecting $175/mon payments from me. this should be illegal. @usedgov @FEDStudentAids @USEducationDept

Thesis/Dissertation “credits” are a SCAM. Never understood why you have to take 6-9 of these “credits” to be registered full time so you can be paid (least it was in my case). So pay half of the money you make that semester back to the school.

if chat gpt can’t figure out a solution to what I wanted to do in R for a fancy graph, maybe it’s a sign that I’m doing the absolute most and should just keep it simple

Some biologists proud about US fieldwork in reserves where only scientists go. Then they make faces because in the global south we depend on the permission and help from local people. Well, there are no locals because of dispossession. So YOUR fieldwork is wrong, not ours.

#AOS_SCO23 was a fantastic time! Thanks to everyone that came to my talk and enjoyed it! It was tough goin solo to my first in-person AOS meeting, but everyone was so kind and welcoming and really made it a wonderful experience!! See y’all in Estes Park next year!

2 years ago, someone broke into my apt as I was about to get started on fieldwork. I almost dropped out. but my advisors supported me and I switched projects. Tomorrow morning, I’m excited to present my thesis work on Burrowing Owl nest survival at #AOS_SCO23

Finally- mi abuelita. She grew up on a coffee finca en Colombia, and she told us stories about riding horses and exploring the area. She taught me more than I can share in a tweet, but I know she’d be so proud of me and what I do! 4/4 #LatinoConservationWeek

Next up- mi hombre Glen! Though he doesn’t have a background in biology, I’ve converted him into a conservation/bird person! He absorbs all the neat birb facts I share and supports me more than anybody. 3/4 #comunidadyfamilia

She told me she wanted to study marine biology, but never got the same opportunities I’ve had. After I handed her a baby owl in 2017, she understands what I do and why I do it! She’s even put up a hummingbird feeder! And in 2018 la familia went to Santa Cruz Island! 2/4 #LCW23

Happy #LatinoConservationWeek a toda mi gente! This week I’d like to celebrate a few important people me in my life. First up- my mom! In 2017, during my first field season as an undergrad, my parents were able to visit me in Colorado for the first time!! #LCW23 🧵1/4

Some of the very cute (and already somewhat feisty) AMKE bebes I got to band recently as part of a kestrel nest box study happening in the Desmond Lab!

Last week I held an elf owl during a mini-Flamily reunion in the Chiris ft. @KateMcGinn14

to everyone to owns and operates a car- PLEASE STOP KILLING MY FRIENDS!! and if you think you’re a safe driver, why aren’t you pushing your city/community to be safer for cyclists?? the world won’t be the same without you Ethan…ride in paradise homie❤️ https://t.co/qrXBVZ0JjU

Pedro Pascal as birds. A thread.

Please enjoy this meme sent to me by my dad #dadjokes

The rare low elevation snow event we just had in Southern California feels absolutely magical. I’m feeling very grateful as the plants soak it in. These photos were taken between 2500 and 3000 ft elev. 🥰

Its Research & Creativity Week here on campus. A great op for grad students Whitney Watson & Jordan Ellison to talk owls