Curious about the Brain. Passionate about Human Potential.

I’m a cognitive and brain scientist with a curiosity about how people think, learn, adapt, and perform, and a passion for translating that curiosity into work that makes a difference. 

As a Research Scientist at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, my current work spans the research-to-application process: understanding modifiable factors that influence human performance and resilience, contributing to the development and refinement of evidence-based programs and intervention technologies, and helping translate scientific findings into practical tools that support performance, resilience, and well-being. My work also places emphasis in understanding the unique experiences and needs of women and adolescents within these populations, and in finding ways to turn research into meaningful, real-world applications.

Some pathways are planned. Others emerge through experience, unexpected connections, and a few detours along the way.

Before pursuing academia, I served in the United States Marine Corps, working in signals geospatial analysis and training fellow Marines. That experience shaped my perspective on leadership, service, and human performance, and gave me an appreciation for the people behind the mission.

After the Corps, I found myself back home in Louisiana. Community has always been important to me, and returning to the place where I started gave me the opportunity to put down roots while pursuing something entirely different: an academic career. I earned degrees in sociology and psychology at Louisiana State University before continuing into graduate research and eventually completing my Ph.D. in Psychology (Cognitive and Brain Science), supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.

From there, my path took me to the United States Naval Research Laboratory, where I worked as an Engineer Psychologist and Cognitive Geospatial Scientist. In a way, I had come full circle. My work at NRL brought me back to the very community I had once been part of in the Marine Corps: the Marines working in geospatial analysis. This time, though, I was on the research side, studying how these analysts think, work, and interact with technology. I helped translate foundational cognitive research into practical applications and technology designed to make their work easier and more effective. It was a particularly meaningful opportunity to bring together my military experience and scientific training in a way that directly supported the people doing the job I once did.

Eventually, that path brought me back home again to Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

Looking back, the journey from the Marine Corps to LSU, NRL, and PBRC feels less like a series of unrelated career moves and more like a path that was quietly coming together all along. There have been moments when an unexpected opportunity, a change in direction, or a familiar place seemed to put me right back where I needed to be—as if life were gently reminding me, not so fast, you're not done here yet.

In hindsight, the connections make more sense than they did at the time. Each experience added another piece to how I understand people, performance, service, and the communities we belong to. And I think that's what makes the journey interesting: sometimes you have to keep moving forward before you can see the bigger picture.

Outside of my research, I'm interested in the ways people and technology intersect—especially human-computer interaction, user experience, accessibility, and designing technology that works better for the people who use it. I'm also passionate about mentorship, science communication, and creating opportunities for others to find their place in science. As a first-generation college graduate, I know how meaningful it can be to have someone open a door, share what they've learned, or simply help you see what's possible.

At the heart of it all, I'm driven by curiosity: about the brain, about people, and about what we're capable of when we better understand how we think, learn, and grow.

Let's Connect! I'm always happy to connect with people who are curious, collaborative, and passionate about making a difference. Whether you're interested in research, human performance, technology, mentorship, or simply exchanging ideas, I'd love to hear from you. The best conversations often start with a question, an unexpected connection, or a shared curiosity. So don't be a stranger!