Professor of Psychology; Neuroscience Program Director; Director of CREATE
Psychology / Academic
- Office:
- Hopkins Center 304
- Mailbox:
- 61637
- Phone:
- 903.813.2568
Office Hours:
Fall 2021 Office Hours: TH 3:00-5:00 or by appointment.
Education:
B.S., M.S., Western Illinois University
Ph.D., Tulane University
Faculty Bio:
I started my career at Austin College in August of 2008. The close connections with students are the most rewarding part of my job, and nearly everyday an accomplishment of one of our students brings me joy. My passion is for teaching students. In the classroom, I try to make as much information relevant to the lives of our students as possible. In the laboratory, I try to lead my students through scientific inquiry in an approachable, ethical, and meaningful way. In mentoring, I try to connect with each of my students in order to help them find the path that they are meant to be on. I am a teacher, a mentor, an advisor, and a researcher. Austin College is the perfect institution that fosters my ability to succeed in each of these roles.
In my personal life, I have many interests. We only get one short spin on this earth, and I want to make the most of it. I am a lover of travel and want to see as much of the world as I can. I teach yoga for fun, and I try to offer as much yoga to others as possible. My current Texas goal is to visit all 89 Texas State Parks and hike, kayak, or swim at all of them. I am First Generation, Let’s Talk!
Courses Taught:
- PSY 101: General Psychology
- PSY 201: Research Methods
- PSY 215: Behavioral Neuroscience (each semester)
- PSY 314: Psychopharmacology
- PSY 315: Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience (each fall)
- PSY 416: The Neuroscience of Learning & Memory
- PSY 451: Clinical Neuroscience
Topics Courses:
- PSY 350: Human Memory
- PSY 350: Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
- LS 115: Yoga
- FYS: The Science and Practice of Yoga and Meditation
- Jan Term: The Neuroscience of Nature, Yoga, and Meditation
Research Interests:
My research passions are within the domain of learning and memory. In our animal lab, we study the effect of modifiable lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, etc.) on brain functioning. On the human side, we study relationships between salivary markers (for example, cortisol, tau, testosterone) and modifiable behaviors (stress, exercise, concussion, etc.)
Faculty Extras:
I was yoga certified in February of 2016. Since becoming yoga certified, I offer yoga classes for faculty, staff, and partners through the Austin College Wellness program during the academic year. I also teach the Lifetime Sports Yoga class for students. My love of yoga led me to design a freshman seminar on The Science and Practice of Yoga and a travel Jan Term on The Neuroscience of Nature, Yoga, and Meditation.
Sponsored Organizations:
- Phi Kappa Omega (PKO) fraternity
- Gender Sexuality Alliance – GSA