I am an anthropologist, researcher, writer, and educator.

Since 2015 I’ve been researching the Indonesian live coral trade and working with the commercial divers who gather rare and beautiful corals for the global aquarium industry. I am currently working on a book about the aquarium industry, the future of Indonesian coral reefs, and the coastal communities who depend on them.

I have a PhD in Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz, an am a Postdoctoral Fellow at the SEACoast Center where I research oceanic worlds, climate change, fisheries, plants, biodiversity, native and invasive species, and wildlife trading—with an emphasis on environmental issues in Indonesia and California.

My work has been supported by many organizations including the National Science Foundation, the Wenner-Gren Foundation, the Fulbright-Hays Program, the Henry Luce Foundation and the UCSC SEACoast Center, and the Danish National Research Foundation.

On land, I live and garden on California’s Central Coast. I’m a passionate grower, seed saver, and native plant enthusiast.

I am open to freelance writing, reporting, research, and editing assignments in the United States, Indonesia, and around the world.