Professor, Psychology I am a clinical psychologist whose research aims to understand and improve family health and well-being, particularly among underserved and marginalized populations. My work examines (1) how and why relationships change; (2) the effects of minority and contextual stressors such as racial discrimination, financial strain, and sexual stigma on individual and family functioning and the protective factors that buffer these effects; and (3) preventive interventions to strengthen relational, physical, and mental health among couples and families. I recently completed the Sleep SAAF (Strong African American Families) study, a randomized controlled trial for first-time Black mothers and their newborn infants that aimed to reduce early health inequities and advance understanding of family dynamics and health during the perinatal period. I am also interested in issues relating to LGBTQ families.
