I am a life course sociologist, embracing the interdisciplinary traditions of demography and gerontology. My substantive research focuses on issues of health and aging in America.  More specifically, I am interested in how families cope with the end-of-life experience, including widowhood and caregiving.  I am also interested in how families manage chronic conditions and familial health risks of their family, with a particular interest in caregivers to persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. My work has involved primary data collection (surveys & qualitative interviews), creation and implementation of intervention studies, and statistical analysis of large population-based data sets.

As a mentor, I like to meet the student where they are and identify shared goals that benefit the student's professional development and the needs of the project. I want this mentored activity to be mutually beneficial. The undergraduate student will become a member of the team, comprised of a grad student, research administration staff, and faculty from multiple disciplines. As a mentor, I will provide opportunities for general guidance and discussion about the student's professional development needs and exploration to support the student's career aspirations.