My research examines the unique intersection of social psychology and communication; grounded in empirical methods, I investigate the representation of social groups in media and how these representations affect identity, attitudes, behavior, and community. My dissertation focuses on the perception of media exclusion, or absence from media, and its effects on viewer identification, message reception, and community-oriented behaviors; early analyses reveal that this experience, although common, differs drastically depending on group status and prior identification.

Inspired to learn by my own relationship with media, I focus on real world examples in the classroom to foster media literacy and encourage students to apply coursework to their own lives. My graduate education has prepared me to teach classes in psychology and communication, including research methods, statistics, social psychology, interpersonal relations, and health communication. I have also mentored undergraduate students conducting independent, graduate level research projects through the McNair Scholars Program. This wide range of instructional settings has led me to a teaching philosophy that integrates research, teaching, and student experiences to affect students inside and outside the classroom.