Katie is an avian ecologist who has studied birds in the Eastern Sierra for the past seven years. Through her research in alpine meadows, sagebrush seas, and saline lakes, she has fallen in love with the high desert and the birds that call it home. Now a graduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno, Katie continues to serve on the ESBA board while working toward a doctorate in biology and conservation. Beyond her career in avian ecology, she enjoys birdwatching, bird-themed jigsaw puzzles, collecting bird artwork, and nearly all other bird-related pastimes.