Faculty Research Interests

• Service learning 
• Community engagement
• Medical science
• Global health

My research centers on psychology and the law. In particular, I am interested in jury decision-making, forensic assessments, and experiences of correctional personnel (primarily mental health professionals). I currently have many ongoing research projects in various stages of development. 

My clinical research interests relate to providing evidence to support occupational therapy interventions and provide effective, quality care to the clients we serve.

• Clinical supervision and mentorship in social work practice
• Impact of communication technology
•  Mindfulness and self-care
• Trauma awareness
• Social work values and ethics

My research interests focus on the use of qualitative methods to examine the narratives of older adults. More specifically, I have been using narrative approaches to examine the oral histories of older adults in China and transgender older adults in the U.S. and Thailand. Past research has included an emphasis on grandparent caregivers of grandchildren; Soviet immigrant Jews, Ukrainians, Vietnamese, and Cambodians caring for their parents; older volunteers; and clinical use of behavior modification and older adults.

• Systematic racism and how its maintained in societies 
• Clinic practice in understanding the trauma experienced by Blacks across the lifespan 
• Affinity circles (practice in creating safe space for race specific work)

• Sports medicine
• Mission trips for healthcare students

• Grief, loss, trauma, and healing centered practice
• Policy within systems and communities

I envision communication as a central process in our relational lives, not just a variable. I use a variety of methods to study communication in personal relationships. The majority of my research has focused on LGBTQ+ relational communication, especially the way that socio-cultural factors and shifts, such as marriage equality, affect these relationships. I am also especially interested in studying family communication, especially for marginalized families.

In my research, I explore the rich, diverse tapestry of human sexuality, recognizing the importance of acknowledging and respecting this diversity. Whether it’s addressing the challenges faced by sexuality professionals, or examining the complex issues surrounding sex, work, and ethics, my research pursuits aim to explore critical aspects of human sexuality in our ever-evolving world.

My main research interests include sexual ethics and diversity, cross-cultural sexuality, and Catholic sexual theology.  I often research justice issues in the field of sexuality, examining issues of consent, sexual behaviors, sexual fantasy, trauma, and sexuality education

My research focuses on translating teachers' knowledge into classroom practice.

• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
• Occupational Justice
• Trauma Informed Practice
• Clinical and Professional Reasoning
• Role of Occupational Therapy in Healing Police & Community Relations

• Clinical and Professional Reasoning
• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
• Occupational Justice
• Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

• Clinical Education

Domestic minor sex trafficking, complex trauma, trauma-informed care, helping clients gain access to mental health services, crisis intervention, and sexual health and education.

• Community engagement
• Inter-professional education
• Scholarship of teaching and learning
• Self-efficacy

• Emotional Intelligence in Graduate Occupational Therapy Students
• Trauma Informed Care and DV/IPV
• Graduate Occupational Therapy Doctoral Education Impact on the Profession

I have two main areas of research. The first focuses on the impact of community engagement on both students and community partners. The second focuses on physical performance in older adults. 

• Tropical and Infectious diseases
• Disaster Preparedness & Mass Casualty Management
• Veterans Affairs

My scholarly work focuses on preventive and lifestyle based occupational therapy approaches, including student and practitioner well being, stress management, and occupational disruption during life transitions. Current projects include educational interventions that support resilience and professional sustainability, such as stress management retreats for students, as well as scholarship examining adjustment disorder, role strain, and the implications for early and preventive occupational therapy practice.