Originally from Wisconsin, Kayla spent her childhood exploring the natural lakes and stream systems of her home state. She earned her BS from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Applied Science with a concentration in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology where she conducted research investigating the possible causes of colony collapse disorder in honey bees as well as the cellular impacts of Black Crappie Sarcoma, a fish disease impacting the crappie population throughout Wisconsin.
She earned her PhD from Auburn University in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, studying how adverse environmental conditions impact oyster energetic use in the Gulf of Mexico through laboratory work and field work. Although her dissertation research primarily focused on oysters, she was also actively involved in research projects that investigated native Alabama crayfish species responses to thermal stress.
As Oyster Project Manager, her goal is to improve the quantity and quality of oyster reefs in Mobile Bay through targeted applied research and community outreach.