I am an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education at Virginia Tech, where my appointment spans research, teaching, and extension in life sciences communication.

My research asks a foundational question: how does communication shape the trust, relationships, and shared understanding that agrifood systems need to be resilient and sustainable? To answer it, I investigate communication barriers to conservation and sustainable agricultural practices, science-public trust in agricultural innovation, and the co-production of knowledge through participatory methods — including photovoice, Q methodology, and community-based approaches. This work spans contexts from Appalachia to Africa, where I maintain active international research and development partnerships.

In the classroom, I teach courses in life sciences communication, field photography, branding and graphic design, as well as cultural communication. Through extension, I develop programs that help scientists, Extension agents, and community partners communicate complex agricultural and environmental information accessibly and equitably.