I am a lecturer and recent PhD in the Dept. of Communication at Cornell University, studying risk communication and the relationships between people, landscapes, and hazards. My interests lie in understanding how these relationships shape the way that people interpret and respond to risk, and how we can use this understanding to improve risk communication practices. My dissertation research investigates public attitudes towards deep geothermal energy, focusing on how reactions to new energy projects are influenced by perceptions of place, community, and narratives of the future. Having always been intrigued by the earth around and under us, I received a B.S. in Geological Sciences and a B.A. in English from the University of Rochester, and a M.S. in Geological Sciences from Cornell University. My masters research was on induced seismicity caused by energy industries, and my research interests continue to include earthquake risk communication and preparedness.