Graduated from San Diego State University in 2026 with a B.S. in Biology and an emphasis in Zoology. As an undergraduate, she worked as a research technician studying flat-tailed horned lizard ecology in El Centro, CA. She later contributed to research on the movement and evolution of jumping spiders in the genus Habronattus, where she worked on DNA extractions, specimen imaging and collection management. At CMIL, Sammy leads a project measuring octopus foraging behavior, focusing on prey selection and handling time. Some of her other interests include evolutionary biology, animal behavior, wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. Her goal is to pursue work that contributes to understanding and protecting wildlife across diverse ecosystems.