Hi, I’m Crystal, a PhD student in the MacDonald Lab at UC Santa Barbara’s Bren School of Environmental Science & Management. My research examines how environmental change influences tick populations and the pathogens they carry. By integrating molecular tools with field-based data, I aim to better understand how climate-driven shifts in ecosystems impact both human and ecological health.

Alongside my research, I create scientific illustrations of the species I study and encounter. These drawings capture fine-scale details of organisms and highlight the biodiversity that underpins ecological systems. Together, my research and artwork reflect a shared goal: to deepen our understanding of the connections between ecosystems and human health.