About

I teach in the religion department at the University of Florida, specializing in Religion and Nature and Religions of Asia. My courses include Being Gandhi, Religion and Sustainability, Religion and Food, Religion and Fieldwork, and Religion, Nature and Society. I graduated from Bowdoin College with a BA in English and Philosophy and from the University of Pennsylvania with an MA/PhD in Religious Studies, specializing in Religions of India.

I was born in Savannah, Georgia and grew up just outside of New York City. I now live in Gainesville, Florida and am happy to be back in this ecosystem. My husband Kevin and I spend as much time as possible outdoors, kayaking, cycling, sailing, and swimming. North Florida is paradise for year-round activities. I taught at Iowa State University for nine years, and although I miss my friends, I do not miss the snow and ice.

I am currently researching and writing about water in Florida and the southeast, visiting fishcamps and remnants of Old Florida, for  book tentatively entitled “River People of Florida.” My research was featured in “River of Dreams: The St. Johns River and Its Springs” at the Matheson History Museum in Gainesville, FL. “Outdoor Sanctuary: Whitney Sanford and her Students Find Religion in Nature” highlighted my work in January 2017.