Hi! I am a professor of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, which basically means I teach, research, and engage in activities relating to health and wellbeing. Some of these activities include understanding and motivating people to reduce their risks of developing infectious or chronic diseases. My doctoral students and I explore a wide range of health issues; for example, some recent efforts including research about communicating about vaccination, developing decision supports for people with cancer, and body satisfication and mental health. While my focus is often on the individual, as the overarching goal of my work is to improve health and wellbeing of all people, I am guided by the socio-ecological model. This model demonstrates that levels of influence exist from micro (the individual) to the macro (society, policy).

I have a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, an M.A. in Cognitive Psychology, an M.S.P.H. in Decision Sciences and Biostatistics, and a B.A. in Photojournalism/Psychology.

I teach a variety of courses at the undergraduate and graduate level; Most commonly, these courses are: Introduction to Health Communication (undergrad), Climate Change, Social Justice, and Heailth Equity (undergrad), Health Communication Campaigns (MPH), and Health Risk Communication (PhD). My teaching is guided by best-practice principles such as team-based learning, active learning strategies, and a focus on learner-centered outcomes. Additionally, I lead experiential learning activities that include study abroad and/or international service learning.