Q: Out of everything you're working on, what are you most excited about?

A: We're currently working on starting up a study looking at the effects of high school-level participation in collision (football, ice hockey, rugby, & men's lacrosse) or non-contact sport on neurocognitive health later in life. We're hoping to start bringing participants to campus in the next couple months, so we're in the process of finalizing and fine-tuning everything before they come in, which is a really exciting process!

Q: What's the most meaningful or satisfying aspect of your work?

A: Getting to work with other people (students, lab members, collaborators, participants) is my favorite part of what I do. Being able to talk to students, help build an open and cohesive lab, develop meaningful and complementary collaborations with researchers and clinicians, and learn from the participants who volunteer for our studies are, for me, the most thrilling and impactful aspects of my job. 
 

Q: What's your favorite thing about our school and why?

A: It's so exciting to me to see the variety of research areas and expertise represented in our school. Coming in as a cognitive neuroscientist I was a bit unsure of how my background and training would fit in, but it was immediately clear to me that the school brings together people who do work in movement, exercise, and sport, and that each one of us brings a different and unique set of experiences and perspectives to this work. It's incredible to me to see the breadth and depth of work being done here, and is helping me appreciate just how collaborative and multi-disciplinary kinesiology research is.

Q: Which states and/or countries have you lived in? Which was your favorite, and why?

A: I've lived in Virginia, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, and Connecticut (and sort of Greece). I have loved getting to live in each one, but in my mind nothing beats summer in Greece, fall in Connecticut, or the winter holiday season in New York City. 

Q: If you could go on vacation anywhere, where would it be and why?

A: Oh gosh, so many places! I've always wanted to go to Thailand, South Africa, and Argentina, so those are definitely on my bucket list. I love trying new foods, and those three countries are home to some of my favorite things to eat/drink, so I'd love to get to visit and enjoy everything in situ!