Assistant Professor of Psychology at Kennesaw State University
Director of the Research in Adolescent and Young Adult Development (RAYA) Collab

My research examines mental health and substance use across the transition from adolescence to young adulthood, especially for youth who have experienced adversity. My work integrates developmental psychology, prevention science, and risk and resilience frameworks in studying how to support positive developmental outcomes and mitigate the potential for negative outcomes as a result of poverty, exposure to violence, and social isolation and exclusion.

My research is informed by my prior experience working with young adults in prevention contexts in the college setting: first in community-level violence and substance use prevention and next in individual-level intervention as an academic advisor working to prevent drop-out, promote academic success, and help students achieve their academic and career goals. Through this work, I gained professional experience working with youth as they transition to adulthood, and I came to better understand the risk and protective factors associated with health, education, and career outcomes during this developmental period.

I earned a Ph.D. in Family and Human Development with a specialization in Quantitative Methodology at Arizona State University, followed by a postdoctoral position at ASU's Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center.