Q1: What first drew you to ecology, and how did that path lead you to a PhD? It actually started back in high school in Germany. In my geography class we spent a lot of time talking about climate change and about how urban and regional planning can help create more sustainable futures. That sparked my interest in how we manage our environment. That curiosity led me to study Geoecology, which takes a very holistic approach to understanding the Earth. It’s an interdisciplinary field that...

Q: Most of your career was in planning, culminating as the Director of Planning and Development for our neighbor, Newton. What got you interested in the field?  I was raised in Boston and always had an affinity and interest in how cities and communities work. I also had a desire to work in the public service/non-profit world. My career in planning has allowed me to serve in these capacities.   Q: What did your role in Newton involve? I was fortunate to lead the Planning Department which had...

Q: What exactly do you do at the MFA? I’m a paintings conservator, which means I care for and treat paintings on canvas, panel, and sometimes wall paintings. We don’t really use the word “restore” anymore b ecause it can have some shady connotation and we don’t want to be seen that way! Our goal is preservation and careful treatment, not making something look “brand new.” I specialize in traditional paintings—oil and tempera works from earlier centuries. Modern and contemporary paintings are...