Biography

Heather graduated from Rutgers University in 2008 with a BA in English. After realizing that science was her true passion, she went on to earn both BS and MS degrees in biology from Montclair State University, with a focus in ecology and evolution. She developed a specific interest in tickborne diseases after her own experiences with illness, and went on to examine the involvement of migratory and resident birds in New Jersey’s enzootic cycle of Lyme disease for her master’s thesis research. She joined TERC in July 2015 where she assists with the TickSpotters program, coordinates outreach to TickEncounter Prevention Partners, and researches health literacy and behavioral changes in response to disease risk and prevention information. Broadly her interests include wildlife and zoonotic disease ecology, within a One Health framework.