I was born and raised on the MS gulf coast. I received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biological Sciences from Mississippi State University (MSU) in 2009 and 2013, respectively. I am currently pursuing a PhD in Weed Science from MSU. My M.S. work studied the effects of human activities on freshwater ecosystems; specifically fish and mussel interactions in an altered environment. In 2011 I began work at the MSU Geosystems Research Institute (GRI) with Dr. John Madsen investigating invasive aquatic and wetland plant species across the U.S. in waterbodies ranging in size from small ponds or streams to entire watersheds. In 2014, I took over management of all research associated with the Aquatic Plant Research Facility (APRF) located at MSU where I continue to investigate the ecology and management of aquatic and wetland plant species with an emphasis on invasive species. My work at GRI and APRF regularly includes consulting with resource managers and landowners, writing management plans for public and private entities, monitoring plant community dynamics over time through vegetation surveys, as well as GIS mapping of treatment sites and plant species locations. Also in 2014, I joined the MSU GRI unmanned aerial systems (UAS or drone) as the team lead on all wetland and aquatic projects. This team was awarded the FAA Center of Excellence for UAS research in 2015. My work for the GRI drone team includes identifying research needs in natural areas, determining appropriate study designs, coordinating UAS flights, and follow up data analysis. Much of my UAS work involves the investigation of optimal use protocols for UAS technology in natural areas and species differentiation and mapping using UAS imagery. In addition to my MSU responsibilities I am a current member of the MidSouth and National Aquatic Plant Management Societies (APMS), the Weed Science Society of America, the Mississippi Cooperative Weed Management Association (CWMA), the Mississippi Vegetative Management Association, the Society for Wetland Scientists, and am a founding board member of the Mississippi Aquatic Invasive Species Council. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the CWMA and am the chairman of the CWMA Research committee. I also serve on committees for the MidSouth and National APMS chapters.