I am a recent PhD graduate of the Rhetoric, Theory & Culture PhD program at Michigan Technological University, which is in the small town of Houghton, Michigan, whose major claims to fame are averaging over 90.5 snowfall days and over 200 inches of snow per year. In my previous graduate school education in Canada, I studied American naturalism, muckraking literature, and minimalist short fiction. My M.A. thesis explored the theme of personal limitations in Raymond Carver’s poetry and fiction. My dissertation research explored how satirical comedy may “sugar the pill” of serious and controversial topics, promoting engagement and reflection in the climate change crisis; I am also concerned with the relevance of science fiction for bridging the two cultures of the humanities and science at a STEM university. For over a decade, I have worked extensively in online literature courses, as both a course designer and subject matter expert.
At Michigan Technological University, I have taught Composition, Technical Writing, Perspectives on Inquiry, Popular Culture, and Science Fiction. When I am not slaving away writing or submitting abstracts on a Friday night, I enjoy running, biking, and skiing, preferably with a pack of dogs.
