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Dissertation acknowledgements

"Surely it is enough that the likes of you and I at least try to make our small contribution count for something true and worthy."
--- Kazuo Ishiguro, The Remains of the Day
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To my committee, for your support and advice along the way. Thank you, Steve, for our insightful science chats over sautering or washing dishes at camp; Jennifer, for opening the wide world of remote sensing and waterholes to me; Brian, for your endless encouragement and advice on asking scientific questions; Jim, for taking a chance on a student without a lick of ecology education; Susan, for stepping in as co-advisor when I needed your scientific and personal support. 

The pieces of Duke that keep me going: To the Clark lab for your constant support, and to the Alberts lab for taking me in when I needed even more. To the members of the Duke Graduate Students Union for fighting with me to make this place better for us all (we WON!). To Danielle Freaking Wiggins, the best Grad Mom a girl could ask for. 

Thanks to those I do not know personally: To the scientists at AstraZenica, whose drug Tagrisso is keeping my mother alive. I have only made it through these last nine months of my PhD because my mom is still here. To the staff at Duke University Hospital, who saved my life when I battled a bilateral pulmonary embolism three days before submission, and to all those at Duke and Cornell who made this timeline possible. To the reviewers who saw something sparkle in my GRFP. To the tireless staff at Khaudum and Kruger: This dissertation would be empty pages without your collar and aerial survey data, facilities, and assistance. To Anne, Mary, Kazuo, Kate, Brandon, and Ted. And to Kaladin, who taught me that seeking help is the brave thing to do. 

To Arezou, for patiently listening without judgement.

To the South African savanna science community for folding me in and making me feel at home. Laurence, Allison, Tshianeo, Thandeka, Ben, Corli, Izak, Immi, Busani, Carla, and Maggie. To Marry and the rest of the Aggyshadow crew for keeping my spirits up with their amazing cooking. Amy Schroeder, you magnificent friend! I look forward to many more nights staying up until 3AM talking about life, science, (in)justice, grief, and joy. 

To the land now known as North Carolina: Your oaks and laurels and snakes and fireflies and herons have nourished my spirit as I undertake this dissertation journey, and have provided a dependable harbor when I return from my many trips away and abroad. To the Eno River especially, for being my haven in all weather, from sluggish drought to high water to icy winter stillness. To the pawpaws and blackberries and persimmons and wild plums and muscadines and passionflowers, which have filled my belly on many an afternoon hike. Thank you.

To the many friends I have made here at Duke who have weathered the PhD journey with me. I can’t possibly thank you all. Greg, you keep me laughing and remind me that I’m not the only one who sees right through the BS. Christopher, cancer sucks, but your advice has been life giving. Jonny, our many talks by the Eno have inspired me to think deeper about how we do science. Danica, I’ve found an incredible mentor in you. Lane, you have given me more support when I was down than even you know. Lauren and Miao, our time has been brief but our friendship will be long, I promise. Nick, I cherish our many deep chats and mugs of oolong by the pond and the Eno. Renata, my lab twin, thank you for all the tea and laughs and real talks and honest friendship. Mishka, you’ve been like a sister to me on this journey, one to support and be supported by. Finally, Anna, what can I say? We have supported each other through it all, and I will always cherish our co-working, editing, coding, venting, laughing, and most dear friendship.

To my dear friends outside of academia. Olivia and Amanda, you absolute queens, thanks for twenty-three years of love, laughter, and sisterhood. Erin and Phoebe, you wizards have ridden so many ups and downs with me and I can’t thank you enough. To my Dinwiddie family, whose constant support and love and wild traveling adventures have lifted my spirits in so many ways. To my D&D crews for providing escape from the reality of deadlines. I hope BC sheds one of his precious tears in pride for me. To my many board game friends, who are so much more than rival factions or co-terraformers: Kyrie, Ankita, Harsh, Kristen, Ben, Mishka, those hours playing games and laughing have meant the world. To the Durham friends I have found or re-found over group dinners: Liza, Julia, Emily, Maggie. To my running group, especially Charlene and Shannon, who provide perspective and meditation every Sunday in the woods. See you at Penny’s Bend next time I’m in town. 

My Kiesel and Swift family members, it would take me an entire page to name you all, but know that I love you each so, so dearly. Thank you all for your love and constant support. To Elizabeth P and Mary Noel for coming to my aid on the darkest of nights. To Grace, for the surprise of a new friendship when I was sure I already knew how to be your sister. To Sarah, after many long years I think we can say we’ve finally repaired things and are closer than ever, sissy. To Nathan, brother of mine, my first friend, I’m excited to become scientists together. Courtney -- I can't wait to learn what it is to be your sister. Cali and Willie, thank you for your boundless energy and love. Darling Izzy, thanks for snuggling on good days and bad, and for reminding me to eat and sleep. 

Dad, I love you to the moon and back a million times. Your love of science and exploration have inspired me my entire life---which, by the by, you quite literally saved. And of course, Mama dearest, you are my best friend, and I am grateful always that you and I are still here. Every day is a gift.

Truly, where would I be without those who have made me?
A large brick building on the right, blue skies above, and many green trees. The brick building almost looks like a castle with a few steep-roofed towers and gray slate roofs.San Jacinto mountains.