About Me

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Marine Biology and Ecology at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, where I lead the Coleman Lab. My research examines the ecological and evolutionary processes that shape marine biodiversity, with a particular focus on marine fishes. By integrating genomics, molecular ecology, field biology, and advanced scientific diving, my work investigates questions related to population connectivity, phylogeography, hybridization, and biodiversity across environmental gradients, including mesophotic coral ecosystems.

I received my Ph.D. in Zoology with a specialization in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology under the mentorship of Brian Bowen, where I studied dispersal, connectivity, and evolutionary processes in reef fishes across the Indo-Pacific. My research training has been supported by several highly competitive awards, including the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program. Prior to joining the University of Miami, I held academic positions at Hawaiʻi Pacific University and completed training at the University of Central Florida and University of Texas at Austin.

My pathway into marine science was nontraditional. As the child of an Air Force family, I spent much of my early life moving across different regions and cultures, experiences that shaped my worldview and appreciation for diverse perspectives. I come from a multicultural background and recognize the importance of representation and belonging in academic spaces. Before pursuing a scientific career, I worked in the financial sector for several years before returning to school through the community college system and ultimately earning a B.S. in Marine Biology and Limnology from San Francisco State University. As a first-generation college graduate, this experience strongly shaped my perspective on mentorship, opportunity, and persistence in higher education.

mentorship philosophy

I view mentorship as an important part of scientific training and strive to create an environment that supports both intellectual independence and professional growth. My mentoring style emphasizes student ownership of research and the development of scientific self-sufficiency. I encourage students to be proactive, curious, and willing to take initiative in addressing scientific questions and challenges.

At the same time, I recognize that effective mentorship requires flexibility. While I do not micromanage, I remain actively engaged and available to provide guidance, feedback, and support as needed. My goal is to help students develop into independent scientists by providing the structure, training, and opportunities necessary for them to build confidence in their abilities and pursue their own scientific interests.

inclusivisity

The Coleman Lab is committed to fostering a supportive, respectful, and inclusive environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive. We value diverse perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking because they strengthen both scientific discovery and the broader academic community. Recognizing that there is no single pathway into science, we strive to create a lab culture in which individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds, nontraditional trajectories, and diverse lived experiences feel supported, respected, and able to fully contribute to the scientific process.