As a developmental psychologist and social work scholar in training, I am dedicated to advancing behavioral and mental health equity through a research program that examines how behavioral and neural mechanisms, relational processes, and sociocultural contexts shape risk and resilience in behavioral and mental health outcomes. This work centers on generating theoretically grounded, empirically informed insights that strengthen practice frameworks for behavioral and mental health support across the lifespan.
I employ multimodal, mixed-method designs that integrate self-report measures, neuroimaging data, and qualitative interviews. I also utilize a wide range of quantitative approaches, including multiple regression, structural equation modeling, network analysis, generalized additive modeling, factor analysis, latent profile analysis, and machine learning techniques.
I am currently working on my doctoral dissertation, Brain Development in Context: The Shaping of Risk and Resilience Across Adolescence and Young Adulthood in Lived Social Worlds, under the guidance of my dream team committee: Daphne Watkins, PhD (Co-chair), Christopher Monk, PhD (Co-chair), Andrew Grogan-Kaylor, PhD, and Vonnie McLoyd, PhD.
The complete list of peer-reviewed publications is available here.
Reseach Training
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Research Assistant, Translational & Developmental Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, (2019-Current, PI: Christopher S. Monk, Ph.D.)
Project: Study of Adolescent to Adult Neural Development (R01MH121079, R01MH130158)
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In-House Statistician, The Gender and Health Research Lab, School of Social Work, University of Michigan (2024-Current, PI: Daphne Watkins, Ph.D.)
Project: Young Black Men, Masculinities, and Mental Health (YBMen) Project
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Data Manager, School of Social Work, University of Michigan (2018-2025, PI: Todd I. Herrenkohl Ph.D.)
Projects: Lehigh Longitudinal Study (R01AG059823, R21HD094961, R21HD094961), Trauma-Informed Programs & Practices for Schools (Michigan Health Endowment Fund)
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Clinical Research Coordinator, M-Body Lab, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, (2015-2018, PI: Inger Burnett-Zeigler, Ph.D.)
Project: A Mindfulness-Based Depression Intervention for Disadvantaged Underserved Women in a FQHC (NU K12 Faculty Training Program, Greer Family Foundation)
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Undergraduate Honors Thesis Student, Affective Neuroscience & Biopsychology Lab, University of Michigan (2011-2015, PI: Kent Berridge, Ph.D.)
Project: Cue-triggered Reward Seeking (R01DA015188)