Ph.D. Ecology & Environmental Sciences — Montana State University, Bozeman, MT (2014–2019)
M.S. Environmental Sciences & GIS Certificate — Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL (2012–2014)
B.S. Biological Sciences — Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL (2006–2010)
Research Scientist (part-time)
Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M Corpus Christi
Oct 2025 – Present
- Coastal-hydrological modeling on the Texas Gulf Coast.
- Integrated modeling using sub-centimeter drone imagery time series and HOBO water logger deployments.
Personal Sabbatical – Life, Art, and AI
Mar 2024 – Oct 2025
- Focused on reading theory, making art, and conceptual work (calle-arte.com).
- Developed and delivered a 4-week course to Ecological Society of America professional members (Spring 2025): “How to Think Like a Programmer: AI & Code Generation for Data Science”.
- Established two businesses, CalleEcology Inc. and mewmewmew, Inc., including full-stack development (DigitalOcean droplets, Cloudflare; React / npm / APIs; Python-dominant; SQL databases).
- Integrated AI tools via API calls into secure technology stacks.
- Conducted UI/UX research and development.
Assistant Research Scientist
UMD-ESSIC / NASA-GSFC
Jan 2023 – Mar 2024
- Performed unsupervised classification of forest canopy structure at continental scales using spaceborne LiDAR (UMD / GSFC / USFS / Harvard).
- Simulated wildfires to identify scaling solutions for predictive models (USFS / NASA / UMD).
- Added biodiversity (plant trait variance) and coupled carbon–nitrogen cycling to a global ecosystem model.
- Investigated ecosystem spectral diversity and assimilated hyperspectral data (NASA / GSFC).
- Programmed in C / R / Python / Bash on NASA Discover supercomputer.
- Served on NASA FireSense Implementation Team.
- USFS Fire and Smoke Model Evaluation Experiment data management lead and strategic team member.
- Co-authored ROSES 2023 proposals on ecosystem demography and EMIT hyperspectral data integration.
- NASA Science Mentor for supervised/unsupervised classification of EMIT hyperspectral data.
Senior Scientist & Lead Model Developer
Regrow Ag, Inc.
Jul 2021 – Dec 2022
- Maintained and developed modules for the DNDC process-based biogeochemistry model.
- Engineered workflows for calibration, sensitivity analyses, model evaluation, and data visualization.
- Developed modules for crop growth dynamics (C–N allocation, functional stress response), water management and hydrology for rice crops, grazing, fertilizers, and soil C–N dynamics.
- Integrated satellite data via assimilation workflows.
- Programmed in C++, Python, R, Docker, and Bash with AWS / cloud-based infrastructure.
Assistant Research Scientist
University of Maryland ESSIC
Apr 2021 – Jul 2021
- Implemented a dynamic radiative transfer model (PROSAIL, PROSPECT) into a process-based global ecosystem model to simulate dynamic spectral reflectances.
- Programmed in C / Fortran using high-performance computing environments.
Post-doctoral Researcher
University of Montana
Apr 2019 – Feb 2021
- Developed a deep learning emulator of space–time soil moisture dynamics across the Western USA based on a high-resolution process-based simulation model.
- Built a deep learning model to predict forest regrowth probability at high spatial resolution (30 m) across the Western USA using satellite time series and spatially explicit remote sensing data (Google Earth Engine).
- Developed workflow pipelines for multi-criteria parameter optimization across 100 watersheds.
- Programmed with Google Earth Engine API, R, Keras / TensorFlow, C, and Bash.
- Ran large-scale models on multiple Slurm-based computing clusters.
Graduate Research (Ph.D.)
Montana State University
Aug 2014 – May 2019
- Developed a representation of forest age-class stand dynamics at global scales, fully coupled with land use change, land management (wood harvest), and fire dynamics in the LPJ Dynamic Global Vegetation Model.
- Developed and incorporated alternative mathematical models of plant phenology and autotrophic respiration to evaluate model structural uncertainty.
- Processed U.S. Forest Inventory data, eddy-covariance flux tower data, and satellite data to evaluate forest age-class simulations.
- Analyzed satellite retrievals of atmospheric CO2 from multiple satellites.
- Developed a statistical algorithm for signal decomposition of CO2 seasonal cycles and released as an R package.
- Used high-performance computing clusters to analyze ~0.5 TB of global terrestrial ecosystem simulation outputs.
- Programmed in C, Fortran, and R.
Primary Research Investigator
Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
Jan 2014 – May 2014
- Developed a resource prioritization tool for conservation organizations using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) with hierarchical weighting of qualitative/quantitative data.
- Coded a flexible-input C# software tool with graphical front-end.
- Organized a breakout session at The Wildlife Society of Florida annual conference to refine criteria, model weights, and integration into decision-making.
Graduate Research Assistant (M.Sc.)
Florida Atlantic University
Jan 2012 – May 2014
- Developed a spatially explicit predictive model of habitat availability.
- Coded the model in C# (.NET) with a graphical front-end.
- Modeled habitat selection using a conditional logistic regression model (resource selection function) with R (package: survival).
- Used Python, R, and VBA to manipulate and manage large datasets.
- Conducted bird surveys (spot-mapping, river transects by boat).
- Performed aquatic prey sampling, nestling wading bird bolus sampling, snorkeling transects, and quadrat-based estimates of seagrass density and species composition.
- Collected sediment cores and analyzed benthic substrate.
- Produced figures with R (ggplot2), SigmaPlot v10, and ArcGIS.
- Supervised technicians and volunteers; captained a small boat in remote backcountry (100+ hrs boating).
Research Assistant
Florida Atlantic University
Dec 2010 – Dec 2011
- Developed a spatio-temporal hydrologic model of tides to evaluate short- and long-term effects of tidal dynamics and sea level rise on wading bird foraging habitat.
- Coupled the tidal model to the SLAMM (Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model) to evaluate long-term accretion, sedimentation, and wetland conversion.
- Coded models in C# (.NET) with graphical front-end.
- Used Python, R, and VBA for data manipulation and management.
- Conducted Bayesian hierarchical population analyses in WinBUGS.
- Undertook extensive fieldwork and boat-based bird surveys in remote backcountry.
Field Technician, Avian Ecology Laboratory
Florida Atlantic University
Dec 2010 – Jun 2011
- Throw-trap sampling of aquatic fauna in the Greater Florida Everglades.
- Data logging using mobile mapping software; vegetation transects and species identification; field hydrology measurements.
- Aquatic fauna identification, measurement, and QA/QC.
- Field sites accessed by helicopter or airboat in extreme conditions.
Research Assistant
Florida Atlantic University
Jun 2010 – Dec 2010
- Coded a spatio-temporal Landscape Quality Index model for endangered Wood Storks in C# and Python.
- Performed statistical analyses using GIS, Python, and R.
- Developed a stochastic model for explicit inclusion of model uncertainty.
- Conducted model validation and sensitivity analyses.
- Managed data using SAS and Excel VBA; produced figures in SigmaPlot.
Founder
Citizen Science & Undergraduate Research Conservation Program, FAU
Aug 2009 – Jun 2011
- Developed a conservation initiative using citizen science and research to protect a threatened Gopher Tortoise population and pine–oak scrub habitat.
- Developed research methods and mentored undergraduates in field-based ecology research.
- Organized annual Bioblitz outreach events and secured ~$3,000 in grants.
- Helped expand program budget from $800 in the inaugural year to over $18,000 in the second year.
Undergraduate Researcher, NSF
Florida Atlantic University
Aug 2009 – Dec 2009
- Conducted dissections, diet analyses, and morphometrics on 22 Sacred Ibis carcasses.
- Quantified effects of anthropogenic food sources on species ecology.
- Performed cluster and discriminant analyses (Primer v6); used SAS for statistical tests and SigmaPlot for figure production.
- Research published in Florida Field Naturalist (2011).
Paleoecology Intern
South Florida Water Management District
May 2009 – Aug 2009
- Identified macrofossils (seeds) in soil cores under microscope.
- Constructed field sampling stations for leaf litter deposition in remote wetlands.
- Conducted literature reviews on hydrology, primary productivity, and accretion; assessed sea-level rise impacts using macrofossil records.
Data Analyst
Avian Ecology Laboratory, FAU
Sept 2008
- Used Microsoft Excel for data analysis and table production.
- Produced figures in SigmaPlot.
Field Technician, Avian Ecology Laboratory
Florida Atlantic University
Feb 2008 – Jun 2008
- Throw-trap (1m × 1m) sampling of aquatic fauna; vegetation transects; species identification; field hydrology measurements.
- QA/QC and management of large datasets.
- Statistical analyses in SAS.
Manager, Receiving Department; Lead Bookseller; Cashier
Barnes & Noble Bookstores (Avon, CT; Albuquerque, NM; Denver, CO; Boca Raton, FL)
Aug 2004 – Feb 2008
- Customer service, shipping and receiving.
- Supervised receiving department and served as lead bookseller (displays, placement, customer service).