I am a Masters of Science student at Walla Walla University, studying octopuses and the effects of ocean acidification on RNA editing, a molecular process that allow octopuses (and squid and cuttlefish) to fine tune the functionality of their proteins beyond the genetic blueprint.

My whole life I thought I would be a full-time artist. It wasn’t until my undergraduate degree and a freshman writing course that I discovered RNA editing in cephalopods. In the context of an organism I have loved all my life, concepts that had previously felt overwhelming and unattainable, became my obsession. I could not stop thinking of RNA editing.

Because of this experience, I have become passionate about science communication and using my artistic background to explain complex topics. I hope to teach that science is for everyone and anyone can understand it with the right tools and support.

Below is more information about my store, where I put my art skills to use to raise money for charity, as well as a google sheet I put together of all the cephalopod labs in the world. I made this list to help future teuthologists find programs in our small (yet expanding rapidly) niche field.

Thanks for reading!