Contact Info

Biography

Website: engineeringmentalhealth.com

Education:
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, 2015
B.S., Chemical Engineering, Rowan University, 2009

Impactful Research Areas:
Education
    Advancing Pedagogical Innovation
    Disrupting Inequalities in Engineering
    Equipping Students for Success

Research Expertise:
Engineering student mental health; Participatory research; Data-driven interventions; Mixed-methods (qualitative + quantitative) approaches; Help-seeking and belonging in engineering; Inclusive and caring engineering education environments

I ground my work in the belief that we can't design better systems until we care about the people inside them. My research focuses on understanding and improving mental health in engineering through data-driven interventions and participatory research methods. I use both qualitative and quantitative approaches to partner with students in co-creating knowledge and designing actionable strategies to support well-being. I define mental health as more than the absence of illness: it is a state in which engineers can manage stress, realize their potential, and meaningfully contribute to society. I have co-developed and facilitated internationally presented workshops on supporting student mental health and regularly collaborate with educators, practitioners, and students to build more caring and inclusive engineering environments. My research has been supported by the National Science Foundation and has influenced engineering education programs across the U.S. In my previous role at the University of Kentucky, I supported the development of an NSF-funded Engineering Wellness Center aimed at improving help-seeking and belonging among engineering students.  

Honors & Awards:
Ray W. Fahien Award for vision and contribution to chemical engineering education, American Society for Engineering Education Chemical Engineering Division (2022)
Joseph E. Martin Best Paper Award, American Society for Engineering Education Chemical Engineering Division (2021)
College of Engineering Henry Mason Lutes Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of Kentucky (2021)
University of Kentucky Provost Teaching Award (2019)
Tau Beta Pi Outstanding Engineering Educator Award, University of Kentucky (2019)

Professional Memberships:
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)

 

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