I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and went to college at Duke University, where I dual majored in Chemistry and Physics. I gained my first research experience in Warren Warren’s lab at Duke looking into new MRI pulse sequences and their potential to enhance contrast in organic tissues. I spent a year continuing work in the Warren lab following graduation, this time helping to develop a novel diagnostic technique for melanoma using nonlinear microscopy.
After my taste of research, I spent time exploring what lies outside a lab. I lived, worked, and traveled in New York City, Korea, Southeast Asia, Greensboro NC, and Southern CA, before settling in Washington, D.C. for a few years working for a software company. I was a Sales Engineer, designing tailored software solutions for a variety of organizations and industries, as well as leading trainings and managing a local team. But despite holding a problem-solving heavy job that I enjoyed, my passion laid in research.
I returned to research in the field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology. My experience in the working world and abroad made me realize that what fascinated me most was people. I wanted to delve into what makes people perform well, why do some people handle pressure well, and how can we help people navigate this new world of technology and constant change.