My research tackles a core problem in sustainable development: well-intentioned policies often fail because they overlook local reality and deep uncertainty. As a human ecologist, I bridge this gap by co-developing probabilistic decision models with stakeholders — from smallholder farmers to policymakers — to embed their lived experience directly into the analysis. My focus is on practical tools. I use Bayesian networks and Monte Carlo simulations to quantify the trade-offs of agricultural interventions, identify leverage points, and pinpoint strategies that are robust, resilient, and equitable. The ultimate goal is to replace best guesses with informed confidence for the communities most affected by these decisions.
PhD in Agricultural Sciences, 2018
University of Kassel
MSc in Sustainable International Agriculture/International Organic Agriculture, 2011
George-August University Göttingen/University of Kassel
BA in Human Ecology, 2003
College of the Atlantic
AA in Natural Resources Management, 2001
Sterling College, Vermont