Stephanie is a field biologist, plant explorer, and conservationist pursuing a doctorate at the University of Northern Colorado. Her research focuses on plant and lichen conservation, with fieldwork in Denali National Park, Alaska, studying an endangered lichen species. Alongside her research, she is honing her teaching skills to mentor future scientists. Her passion for ethnobotany and plant ecology has taken her across the globe. For her master’s thesis, she studied medicinal plants used by Ngöbe Indigenous communities in Panama, immersing herself in their culture to understand the deep and evolving relationship between people and plants. With over a decade of experience, Stephanie has worked in plant conservation, ecological restoration, and land management with the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service across the U.S., as well as state parks in New York. She has also conducted ethnobotanical research in Panama and the Colombian Amazon, further deepening her knowledge of human-plant interactions. Beyond research, Stephanie has led six programs with Putney Student Travel, including service work in a Hmong village in Laos, conservation-focused programs in Ecuador and the Galápagos, and four Service Hawaii programs exploring the islands’ cultural and ecological richness. These experiences have reinforced her commitment to environmental stewardship and inspiring future leaders. Outside of her professional work, Stephanie is passionate about hiking, camping, and plant exploration. She enjoys immersing herself in different cultures, practicing yoga, gardening, cooking global cuisines, and reading. She is also proficient in Spanish.