Biography

I received my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Boston University in 2007. My clinical training was in neuropsychology. Work during my clinical internship at Massachusetts General Hospital allowed me an opportunity to explore developmental influences on cognition (i.e., ages 3 through 85). This naturally continued into a neuropsychology post-doctoral fellowship at Brown Medical School. The second year of this fellowship granted me the opportunity to learn several different types of neuroimaging techniques (e.g., FMRI, morphometry). In 2008 I joined the faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior and I continue to work as an Assistant Professor (Research) at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

My research has focused on the utility of neuroimaging in identifying early biomarkers of disease. For example, I am interested in investigating children who are "at risk" for disorders that present in early childhood (e.g., ADHD in preschoolers). Along that same line, I have been exploring early neuronal changes in individuals who are genetically predisposed to Alzheimer's Disease. A separate line of research focuses on exploring subtle neuronal changes either to differentiate patient populations or to track changes over time. I think of myself as a translator who tries to bridge the gaps between psychiatry, neurology, and neuroscience.

I have a great deal of interest for issues related to ethical questions in my field. As an IRB member, I have a solid working knowledge of regulatory guidelines. I enjoy undertaking supervisory and project management responsibilities and I have a passion for mentoring and advising undergraduate and graduate students in addition to residents and fellows.

Lastly, I am a licensed psychologist in the state of Rhode Island. My clinical work focuses on children between the ages of 2 and 6. My area of expertise is the assessment of young children who are demonstrating symptoms of autism.

Research Description

- Populations who are "at risk" for disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's Disease);

- Early detection of developmental disorders in preschoolers (e.g., ADHD, Autism);

- Sports-related concussion in younger athletes; and

- The use of functional and structural multi-modal imaging techniques in combination to study neurological disorders.

Affiliations

American Psychological Association, Member
International Neuropsychological Society, Affiliate Member
International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Member
International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, White Matter Study Group, Member
Society for Neuroscience, Member

Teaching Experience

I teach two post-doctoral fellowship seminars in Clinical Ethics as well as a yearly seminar on genetics and neuropsychology.

I also mentor undergraduate and graduate students and as well as residents and fellows.

View My Full Publication List in pdf format