I am from Ohio and came to Boston for graduate school. As an undergraduate, I attended The Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) in Columbus, Ohio and was born and raised in Canton, Ohio.

I have done research on Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual (GLB) mental health under the supervision of Elisabeth Moes, PhD and Jane Bybee, PhD. My GLB research projects have included an examination of GLB and heterosexual mental health and cortisol differences, and the influence of "outness" (the extent to which one has "come out" as GLB to others) on mental health. My current research investigates cardiovascular reactivity, physiological arousal, life stress, and coping as predictors of sleep. This work is being conducted under the supervision of Gary Fireman, PhD.

Clinically, I have worked on an inpatient substance abuse unit at Bournewood Hospital in Brookline, MA, at outpatient clinics in two VA medical centers (Bedford and Boston, MA), and at the college counseling centers of Emerson College (practicum) and the University of New Hampshire (internship). My post doc will be at the National Center for Organization Development at the Cincinnati VA medical center.

I was the one of two of the first OUTREACH fellows. As a fellow, I have organized a discussion panel on race, ethnicity, and mental health parity and completed a survey project with the Suffolk University counseling center examining GLB mental health differences and psychological service needs on campus. I also arranged for Steve Safren, PhD (MGH Hospital), a nationally distinguished GLB researcher, to speak at Suffolk University about HIV medication compliance treatment with GLB individuals. My interest in diversity comes from a sincere and intense desire to do good for others and make a difference in the world.