This has been a long time coming āŗļø
When I first began my PhD I told myself that I wanted my research to live somewhere other than my university. I grappled for a long time about whether or not to go ahead with posting on social media about my experiences and my research, until finally, I realized that despite not knowing really what I was doing, I had to at least start.
In the past, Iāve used this account as a space for photography. It will still contain my photos, but also my science, my art, my writing, my life as a scientist, and of course, plenty of birds š¦
Iām looking forward to seeing where @fieldnotesbydalia takes me, and I hope you follow along!
I love seeing live music, but I love photographing it even more. I've been photographing shows since I was a teenager in Pittsburgh, and after taking a break for a few years there, I've started photographing shows in both Phoenix and Pittsburgh again. Hardcore/punk/metal have been a love of mine since childhood, and I never imagined that love would be so important to my career as an environmental social scientist.
Is it Appa-latch-uh or Appa-lay-sha? Linguistics research says it's both.
Check out @appodlachia 's Substack on this for more reading (and to look at that wonderful last map closer).
I defended my masterās thesis... and it was the least exciting part of grad school so far. In comparison to all the amazing things being in grad school has allowed me to do, my thesis defense felt a bit underwhelming. I'm thrilled it's done, but I can't help but reflect on the last 2 years and how incredible they've been.
I am proud to announce I've FINISHED a travel journal.
Writing everyday has always been hard for me while traveling. Part of it was finding the right journal (@riteintherain made all the difference in the rainforest), and part of it was being intentional with setting aside time every day to sit and reflect.
I'm just a couple of weeks out from my next field season in Alaska, and I'm so excited to get started on my brand new journal :)
Setting aside the fact that Pittsburgh only looks this pretty when we're expecting thousands of people to descend onto the city...I hope everyone falls in love with the real Steel City š¤š
Some unfiltered Earth Day thoughts from at home in Pittsburgh.
Been thinking about urban spaces plenty, and this idea that we have to go out *to* nature to be away from other people.
But in a system where we're a part of nature, not separate from it, aren't we always in nature? And doesn't that make our natural spaces a place to gather, catch up with friends, walk your dog, or bike the trails?
This Earth Day, go outside and enjoy our beautiful planet in whatever way you choose. The Earth isn't just yours, it's for everyone :)
I'm starting something new :)
Welcome to Fieldnotes and Footnotes, where I talk about books that changed how I see science (and I think everybody should read).
Finding the Mother Tree by @drsuzannesimard has re-entered my thoughts after finally seeing redwoods for the first time on my trip to California. I got a bit emotional there in the forest about all the connections between those trees and between all of us.
Go give this book a read (preferably while sitting with the trees)!
I bought an mp3 player! My new year's resolution was to get rid of all my streaming platforms, and as of April 2026, I did it :)
It has been such a relief to switch back to my old ways of listening to music. Music is something that keeps me grounded no matter where I am. Detaching my consumption from large corporations and shifting the focus back to artists has done wonders for how I connect with music and communities surrounding it.
Drop your favorite album in the comments!
Happy Earth month and happy Artemis II return day! Moon joy is really holding my mental sanity together this week, and the collective effervescence we're all feeling is in fact very real and very beautiful.
Hoping this moon journey and future Artemis missions inspire the next environmental shift :)
Link to my piece on space in my bio!
