I have been serving on the Paleontological Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Education and Outreach Committee. I also recently joined the Stanford Earth Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council.

As a member Paleontological Society’s Diversity and Inclusion committee, I have organized and co-hosted webinars offered to society members on topics of work-life integration and mental health. I also helped assemble a list of anti-racism resources for society members. You can find those here.

I have served as a research mentor for the 8-week Summer Undergraduate Research in Geoscience and Engineering (SURGE) program at Stanford University that is designed to give research experience and professional development for students from underrepresented backgrounds from universities outside of Stanford. I have also served as a mentor for the On-to-the-Future program of the Geological Society of America meeting to provide mentorship for students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in a career in the geosciences.

Creating an inclusive and open environment in my classroom is essential for creating the best possible teaching environment for students by providing an equitable learning experience. I have taken the time to learn about common mental health issues that affect students, as college students are a growing demographic afflicted by mental health issues (American Psychological Association, National Institute of Mental Health). Based on these issues, I have incorporated social and emotional learning approaches when teaching.