I am a sociologist studying families and health in the Department of Sociology and Criminology 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 in everyday contexts and in institutional contexts (e.g., schools, prisons, workplaces).  Outside of this primary research agenda, I also have a developmental interest in understanding the changing nature of the transition to adulthood 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 and Criminology at UB. If you have questions about our Sociology PhD program, please browse our FAQs and/or reach out. I am happy to help. You can read about the courses I regularly 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 am particularly interested in mentoring other first gen students, both undergrad and grad, and am a NEAR mentor at UB. 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.