Background, Research Interests, and Current Projects:
Meredith has worked in natural resources and plant ecology for the past five years focusing on the conservation of unique and rare plant communities. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Meredith headed out west to follow her aspirations of a career in the biological sciences. After traveling and working for diverse agencies and organizations, she is happy to have settled down in the scenic Great Basin to attend courses at University of Nevada – Reno (UNR) and continue pursuing her interests while further developing a research background.
Her current research focuses on landscape level ecosystem processes in high elevation vernal pools on the Modoc Plateau, specifically examining the interactive effects of grazing and hydrology on habitat requirements for populations of a small endemic vernal pool grass, Orcuttia tenuis . This multi-disciplinary research is an evolving collaborative effort initiated by USDA Forest Service with the involvement of US Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game, Bureau of Land Management, and UNR. Through this experience, Meredith hopes to gain knowledge and insight on rare plant population biology, evolutionary ecology, and ecosystem recovery from disturbance. |
