My name is Riley. I'm a tropical botanist, photographer, and conservationist currently working at the Missouri Botanical Garden. I received my Ph.D. from the University of Miami while working in the Jungle Biology lab. 

As a researcher, I'm interested in tropical forests and how they are affected by climate change. To address these questions, I use diverse herbarium and field-based methods to investigate changes in community composition across environmental gradients, changes in functional traits through time, and patterns of plant endemism to inform conservation strategies. Read more about my research here.

As a photographer, I enjoy using imagery to showcase the wonder and beauty of tropical plants. Browse my photos here.

As a conservationist, I work with organizations such as the Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon to promote and engage in conservation in the Amazon and beyond.