My name is Connor, and my life mission is to help others discover the joys of learning. I believe that learning is one of the greatest joys in life, and I am eager to share my passion for curiosity and discovery with others. There is nothing I enjoy more than seeing excitement and growth in students as they expand their knowledge and become motivated to never stop learning. I am a strong believer in hands-on learning, and strive to get students as much direct experience with content as possible. I focus on creating fun and engaging lessons that are hands-on, thought-provoking, and push us out of our comfort zones and into our growth zones. 

I am currently pursuing my PhD in Ecology. My research focuses on how backyard bird feeding and mindful birding experience enhance peoples' connectedness to nature, well-being, and altruism. It is through this scholarship that I hope to discover more about the transformative power that immersive, outdoor-learning experiences in the form of watching birds can have on people. Additionally, I am a lecturer at California State University, Sacramento, where I teach field-based courses that teach students how to collect and analyze environmental science data.

When I am not teaching or conducting research, I enjoy spending my time pursuing hobbies such as running, hiking, birding, baseball, and exploring new boba shops.