About me

I am an epidemiologist and biostatistician specializing in adolescent mental health, well-being, and substance use. My work examines how neighborhood environments, structural inequities, and social context shape mental health and substance use trajectories among adolescents. I integrate epidemiology, biostatistics, and spatial data science to identify place-based risk and protective factors that influence youth health.

A central aim of my work is advancing equity in public health research. I prioritize rigorous measurement of structural and neighborhood-level exposures, careful operationalization of race, ethnicity, and sexual and gender minority (SGM+) identities, and analytic strategies that move beyond individual-level explanations of inequity. My approach emphasizes transparency, methodological precision, and responsible interpretation of disparities data.

In addition to conducting independent research, I collaborate with public health agencies, school districts, and community-based organizations to design and evaluate youth-focused prevention initiatives. I have extensive experience with secondary data analysis using large national datasets and with community-engaged research that centers youth voices in the research process.

Across all projects, my goal is to produce actionable evidence that informs prevention, strengthens policy, and improves adolescent health outcomes. I am particularly committed to translating complex statistical findings into clear insights that support schools, communities, and public health systems working to reduce inequities in youth substance use and mental health.