I study the reproductive timing and success of freshwater mussels under the direction of Dr. Caryn Vaughn. I originally began my science research as an undergraduate, studying the life history characteristics of freshwater, marine, and terrestrial isopods with Dr. Douglas Glazier (Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA). I completed my master’s degree at the University of Oklahoma under the supervision of Dr. Vaughn where I examined the role of local and regional environmental factors in structuring caddisfly communities. Since then, I have become fascinated with freshwater mussel communities and their unique reproductive and life history strategies. I am working in the Little River in southeastern Oklahoma, a unique part of the country that is home to a diverse and dense mussel fauna.