I am a sociologist studying families and health in the Department of Sociology at the University at Buffalo. I am particularly interested in two broad streams of research: (1) the individual, interpersonal and contextual factors that affect the formation, continuation and well-being of romantic and family relationships; and (2) the role that these relationships play across a variety of domains, including health, education and deviant and criminal behavior.  In essence, I study the relational foundations of health and well-being.  Outside of this primary research agenda, I also have an interest in understanding the changing nature of the transition to adulthood, more generally, and how experiences during this transition are shaped by those earlier in the life course and continue to shape those later in the life course.  You can read more about my research here. 

I currently serve as the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Sociology at UB. If you have questions about our PhD program, please browse our FAQs and/or reach out. I am happy to help. You can read about the courses I teach at the undergraduate and graduate level here. 

I am also a first generation college student and an alum of Penn State University (Human Development and Family Studies, 2007) and the University of Georgia (Sociology, 2014). I love coffee, dogs, and hiking, especially all three at the same time. You can find me on social media, but I'm really bad at it. Email is the best way to get in touch.