After caring for thousands of women as a labor and delivery nurse, I pursued a PhD in Nursing to deepen my impact on maternal health and advance the science of perinatal mental health. During my doctoral and postdoctoral training, I developed a research program focused on mindfulness-based interventions, perinatal anxiety, and maternal wellbeing.

Currently, I am a T32 postdoctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and I will be joining the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth as an Assistant Professor of Nursing in Fall 2025. My research explores how practices such as mindfulness, movement, and social support can help reduce anxiety and enhance wellbeing during pregnancy and early parenting. I use mixed-methods approaches to examine how accessible, supportive interventions can improve mental health outcomes during the perinatal period.

With over eight years of clinical experience in both public and private hospitals, I bring a strong practice-based perspective to my teaching and research. I’ve also served as a clinical instructor, teaching assistant, and research assistant, and I’m committed to mentoring future nurses and scholars. I’ve authored several peer-reviewed publications, presented at national conferences, and recently submitted a K01 career development grant to the National Institute of Nursing Research.

I’m passionate about integrating science, education, and practice to support birthing people and families, as well as shaping the future of nursing through research, teaching, and community engagement.