What are we if not a soul built upon passion, happiness, and adventure? I ask myself this often and over the years I've learned that doing what fulfills you is everything. I'm privileged to indulge in my admiration and respect for the natural world and study the beings who roam this planet. My experiences have brought me far and wide with my earliest research exposure starting in my sophomore year of college at the University of Georgia, studying Fisheries and Wildlife Science through the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. I found myself navigating the steep terrain of the Appalachian mountains to survey slimy salamanders (Plethodon glutinosus complex), after a light rain shower and visiting one of our quadrants the forest floor was animated with salamanders crawling everywhere - I was hooked! After working with other forms of wildlife from jaguars, sea turtles, or desert fauna in Nevada I decided it was time to further my career and attend grad school.

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Currently, I'm a Ph.D. student at the University of California - Berkeley in the Environmental Science, Policy, and Management program studying under Dr. Christopher J. Schell and co-advised by Dr. Justin Brashares. With an interdisciplinary interest in predation ecology, urban ecology, environmental justice, and the complex behavioral mechanisms behind the spatial ecology of large carnivores, a fusion between these two labs allows me to investigate a broad range of questions pending in my mind and maximize the availability of my resources and collaborative opportunities to the fullest. Conceptually, I'm interested in understanding how large carnivores navigate under a rapidly changing world, and how they compete with each other under those circumstances. It is this critical idea and central research question I find myself pondering over the most and I hope throughout this academic journey I have the chance to answer it.

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Aside from my research, I'm also an enthusiastic science communicator! I love utilizing Twitter (@SciencewithTyus) to disseminate information to the public and answer questions. Among these efforts, I've also created a science communication series called #SciQFriday where each week on Friday I host a special guest for a live chat over Twitter about their work! My mission is to make science fun and inclusive where all are welcome and every voice is heard, so I welcome you to my world and the world of SCIENCE!

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As always, stay curious!