About
I'm a PhD student and Vanier Scholar working with Dr. Martin Krkosek at the University of Toronto, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I'm broadly interested in understanding how aquatic biodiversity responds to changing environments and use molecular and computational tools to do so. My PhD research is in collaboration with the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw Fisheries Group and investigates the impacts of industrial activities on the health of wild salmon and dynamics of marine communities. Prior to this, I completed an MSc with Dr. Melania Cristescu at McGill University where I developed environmental RNA based transcriptomics techniques to monitor the heat stress responses of aquatic organisms.
Outside of research, I like to hike, camp, make photographs and iNat. I also volunteer at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre which allows me to immerse myself in and learn more about my Nikkei background. I'm passionate about uplifting folks who are underrepresented in ecology and have been involved in mentorship programs (e.g. STEMM Diversity) and creating non-GPA based research awards for racialized undergraduates (e.g. U of T's EEB USRA).