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ABOUT ME
I am an Assistant Professor in Human Development and Family Sciences at Texas Tech University where I lead the Stress, Aging, and Relationships (STAR) laboratory. I am broadly interested in using theoretical perspectives drawn from developmental, health, and social psychology to understand the role of stress-response processes in healthy aging, particularly through times of social loss (e.g., widowhood). My program of research focuses on transdiagnostic psychological factors that relate to dysregulation of the stress-response system, the biological mechanisms underlying those relationships, and how psychological and biological factors operate together to affect health across the lifespan. I invite you to take a look at my published work to get a better idea of my interests. Feel free to get in touch with me to discuss potential collaborations.
Prior Experience
Previously, I was an inaugural Bakar Aging Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellow and an NIMH-funded T32 Postdoctoral Scholar working with Dr. Aric Prather & Dr. Elissa Epel in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. I earned my Ph.D. in Psychological Sciences from Rice University working with Dr. Chris Fagundes on questions of attachment, grief, and stress reactivity with cross-disciplinary training in psychoneuroimmunology. For my graduate work, I received the 2023 APS Albert Bandura Graduate Research Award. At Rice, I was honored to receive a university-wide Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award after being nominated by my students.
Dissemination and Science Communication
I am passionate about communicating my research to the public (e.g., through Skype A Scientist or my YouTube channel). As a graduate student in 2020, I created Ryan's Science, a cross-platform science communication outlet that fosters curiosity and excitement around scientific research. Dr. Nanci Weinberger and I also created Sci-Tea to demonstrate how the value of research can extend far beyond publication. I recently began as Digital Editor for Psychosomatic Medicine. As Director of Scientific Communications for the Stress Measurement Network, I began hosting The Stress Puzzle podcast in 2024.
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EDUCATION
August 2017 - May 2022
PH.D. IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES
In this program at Rice University, I was a dual-degree Ph.D. candidate in Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine + Industrial-Organizational Psychology. I worked with Dr. Christopher Fagundes in the Biobehavioral Mechanisms Explaining Disparities Lab where we used a psychoneuroimmunological approach to explore mechanisms linking stress and health in older adulthood.
August 2013- May 2017
B.A. IN APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
At Bryant University, I studied Applied Psychology with minors in Business Administration, Economics, and Statistics. I was captain of the women's tennis team beginning in my sophomore year through my senior year. I worked as an undergraduate research assistant in both the Applied Psychology and Biology departments. I also analyzed and presented monetary policy recommendations as a part of a competition at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
