I am passionate about research that uses innovative designs, such as genetically informed, longitudinal, ecological momentary assessments (EMA), to answer nuanced questions that probe person-by-context transactions. I have investigated transactional processes by examining (1) genetic influences on adolescent peer relationships, and (2) influences of individual differences on the effects of adverse environmental experiences on adolescent development.
CV
Research Gate
Below are brief summaries of the projects I am working on.
CV
Research Gate
Below are brief summaries of the projects I am working on.
Youth on Their Own Project
Under the supervision of Dr. Cleveland and Dr. Michael L Sulkowski, we conducted a smartphone data collection of adolescents who have been kicked out of their homes and are “doubled-up” with others. We assessed the experiences of homeless adolescents twice a day for ten days to investigate the impact of daily stress on their lives. These data are being used to document the positive and negative social experiences encountered by homeless youth and investigate the daily experiences that help youth overcome the challenges they experience.
The Gene Environment Interplay Lab
Under the guidance of Dr. Jenae Neiderhiser I have learned and used multiple quantitative genetic methodologies to disentangle genetic and environmental influences on peer relationships and the skills needed form peer relationships, such as effortful control and social competence using the Early Growth and Development Study, the Nonshared Environment in Adolescent Development Project, and the Michigan State University Twin Registry.
gPROSPER
PROSPER, or PROmoting School-community-university Partnerships to Enhance Resilience, is a community-based preventative intervention designed to facilitate the delivery of evidence-based interventions to middle-school youth. A subset of PROSPER adolescent participants provided DNA samples, known as gPROSPER.
Working on the gPROSPER Project under the supervision of Dr. Cleveland and Dr. David Vandenbergh I have gained experience in examining gene by environment interaction (GxE) using candidate gene and polygenetic scores.
Working on the gPROSPER Project under the supervision of Dr. Cleveland and Dr. David Vandenbergh I have gained experience in examining gene by environment interaction (GxE) using candidate gene and polygenetic scores.
Post-Doctoral Training
Over the past two years I have been working closely with Dr. Leslie Leve on a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32). This award was funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and will allow me to be a post-doc at the Prevention Science Institute at the University of Oregon. During my post-doc I will develop and apply my understanding of gene-environment interplay using a parent-offspring adoption design and gain experience translating genetically informed research to prevention science.