RESEARCH INTERESTS & COLLABORATORS
I am a PhD student in Clinical and Developmental Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, mentored by Dr. Sophia Choukas-Bradley in the Teen and Young Adult Lab. I study the development and prevention of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating during adolescence. Most of my work investigates the unique body image concerns of LGBTQ+ youth. Broadly, I'm interested in understanding how sociocultural factors, like the proliferation of social media, contribute to adolescents' body image and disordered eating. I hope to develop eating disorder prevention protocols for vulnerable adolescent populations, such as LGBTQ+ youth.
My research typically incorporates some or all of the following themes:
Body image and disordered eating
LGBTQ+ mental health
Social media
Adolescent development
Romantic and sexual relationships
AWARDED GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
For additional information on the projects in the Teen and Young Adult Lab, click here.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
Transgender and Cisgender Adolescents' Body Dissatisfaction: Using Eye-Tracking and Growth Curve Modeling to Elucidate a Novel, Gender-Inclusive Model
2020 - 2023
Total funds: $138,000
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Project DAISY: Disordered Eating, Academics, Identity, and Sexual Experiences among Young Adults
2020-2021
Co-PI: Anne J. Maheux, M.S.
Advisor: Sophia Choukas-Bradley, Ph.D.
Funded by the Psi Chi Mamie Phipps Clark Diversity Research Grant and Psi Chi Junior Scientist Fellowship
Total funds: $1,000
Project DAISY is a cross-sectional, self-report, anonymous online survey among young adults ages 18-25. The survey assesses a range of mental health concerns relevant to the developmental stage of emerging adulthood, in addition to academic achievement and identity development. I am interested in learning how young adults' appearance ideals, gender, and romantic and sexual experiences shape their disordered eating behaviors and body image. Data collection was completed in Spring 2021. Analyses are ongoing.
ARTS & SCIENCES FELLOWSHIP
University of Pittsburgh
2019 - 2020
Total funds: $23,500
COLLABORATORS
I have the great fortune of working with a variety of incredible collaborators in the areas of body image, disordered eating, and LGBTQ+ mental health. Below is a list of some of my collaborators, in alphabetical order:
Sophia Choukas-Bradley, PhD
Primary Advisor, Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh
Tiffany Brown, PhD
Assistant Professor, Auburn University
Anna Ciao, PhD
Associate Professor, Director, Center for Cross-Cultural Research, Western Washington University
Allegra Gordon, ScD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Boston University
Sasha Gorrell, PhD
Assistant Professor, University of California, San Francisco
Deb Mitchison, PhD
NHMRC Research Fellow, Western Sydney University, Australia