Kristen joined the CRP team in 2023 as a Biologist and Education/Communications Coordinator. She was born and raised in west Michigan. In 2012 she traveled to Costa Rica for where she participated in a country-wide study evaluating the effects of climate change on sea turtle nesting beaches. In 2015, Kristen graduated from Grand Valley State University with a BA in animal biology. Her interests in herpetofauna and conservation education brought her to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center where she became an AmeriCorps member during 2016 and 2017. Recently, she completed her M.S. with UGA's Odum School of Ecology where her research was focused on spatial ecology, reproductive habits, ecotoxicology, and diet of American alligators. In addition to research, she has comprehensive experience in conservation outreach and education. She believes that research is most valuable when it is accessible to all audiences. Kristen is most looking forward to expanding our outreach programming and social media, while continuing to interact with our incredible volunteers over the summer.
