Samantha is originally from El Paso, Texas, and earned her BS in Environmental Science from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2019. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree, where she focuses on cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in freshwater ecosystems.
Before starting her graduate studies, Samantha worked as a seasonal park ranger with the National Park Service, where she developed a strong interest in harmful algal blooms (HABs) and their environmental and public health impacts. Her current research focuses on planktonic blooms and the cyanotoxins they produce. She is particularly interested in sub alpine lake ecosystems and understanding how factors such as nutrient availability, temperature, and climate change influence the formation of these blooms. Samantha’s ultimate goal is to enhance monitoring strategies and contribute to better management practices of these harmful events in aquatic ecosystems. When she’s not out in the field collecting samples, Samantha can be found hiking and enjoying time with friends outside.
Professional Appointments:
2024-2026, Masters student, Laramie, WY, University of Wyoming
2021-2023, Seasonal park ranger, National Park Service