Programmatic Research Focus
To target disparities in health, health-related quality of life, and neurocognitive functioning by improving access to evidence-based assessments & interventions for underserved, culturally- and linguistically- diverse populations
Specifically, my research focuses on the following:
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Development, adaptation, and validation of psychometrically-sound, valid, and reliable neuropsychological and psychosocial measures using robust statistical approaches
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Identification of modifiable factors and potential mechanisms that can be targeted through transdiagnostic interventions
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Knowledge synthesis and translation
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Data and information visualization
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Adaptation, dissemination, and implementation of transdiagnostic treatments in medical health settings
Postdoctoral Research Experience
University of Miami, Department of Psychology
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
August 2021– July 2023
Postdoctoral Fellow, Psycho-Oncology, Coping & Recovery Lab
Long-term changes in cancer-accelerated aging and health after a video-conferenced stress management and relaxation training (VSMART) intervention in breast cancer survivors
PI: Michael Antoni, Ph.D.
Funded by the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation
Project manager for long-term follow-up study for women who participated in the VSMART intervention study. Responsibilities include development of IRB protocol, consent forms, and other relevant documents, development of neuropsychological and psychosocial batteries, training and supervision of graduate student assessors and undergraduate research assistants. Conduct and supervise neuropsychological tele-health assessments with breast cancer survivors.
August 2021 – July 2023
Postdoctoral Fellow, Psycho-Oncology, Coping & Recovery Lab
Video-conferenced stress management and relaxation training (VSMART) intervention for older women with breast cancer
PI: Michael Antoni, Ph.D.
Funded by the Florida Department of Health, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Bridge Grant
Responsibilities include data management, data cleaning, statistical analysis, design of secondary data analysis projects, manuscript preparation and submission.
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Provide support supervision alongside a licensed clinical psychologist (including review/discussion of videotaped session) for Florida-state-funded VSMART trial which tests the effects of a remotely delivered (videoconferencing) 10-session group cognitive behavioral stress management intervention for improving health and quality of life in older women undergoing breast cancer treatment. Content includes stress awareness, thought monitoring, cognitive restructuring, adaptive coping skills, assertiveness training, anger management, social network building, acceptance, life review, and benefit finding. Sessions also include instruction of relaxation techniques including progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, guided imagery, and mindfulness meditation.
August 2021– July 2023
Postdoctoral Fellow, Cancer Survivorship & Translational Behavioral Sciences
COVID-19: Well-being and Health-Related Quality of Life in Cancer Patients and Survivors
PI: Frank Penedo, Ph.D.
Responsibilities focused on the development and psychometric validation of the COVID-related psychosocial experiences questionnaire for cancer survivors and included data cleaning, statistical analysis, and manuscript preparation, submission, and revisions in response to peer-review process
Graduate Research Experience
University of Miami, Department of Psychology
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
August 2016–June 2020
Child & Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Treatment Program –
PI: Jill Ehrenreich-May, Ph.D.
The impact of COVID-19 on family functioning and youth internalizing distress
Co-PIs: Jon Comer, Ph.D. (Florida International University); Angela Evans, Ph.D. (Brock University); Lindsay Malloy, Ph.D. (University of Ontario Institute of Technology); Tara Peris, Ph.D. (University of California-Los Angeles); Donna Pincus, Ph.D. (Boston University)
Role: Graduate Research Assistant ​(03/2020–06/2020)
COVID-19: parent actions in response to emotions and needs for treatment (Co-PARENT)
Co-PI: Amanda Jensen-Doss, Ph.D.
Role: Graduate Research Assistant & Study Therapist (03/2020–06/2020)
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A comparison of one session of awareness to one session of psychoeducation in targeting distress tolerance: A randomized-controlled trial
Co-PI: Niza A. Tonarely, Ph.D.
Role: Study Therapist (06/2019–06/2020)
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Psychological evaluation, screening, and treatment of children and adolescents
Role: Study Therapist, Independent Evaluator, Graduate Research Assistant (08/2016–06/2020)
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Unified protocol to help emotions and promote auditory relief (U-HEAR)
Co-PI: Adam Lewin, Ph.D. (University of South Florida)
Role: Study Therapist & Graduate Research Assistant (08/2019–06/2020)
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Community study of outcome monitoring for emotional disorders in teens (COMET)
Co-PI: Amanda Jensen-Doss, Ph.D.
Role: Graduate Research Assistant & Independent Evaluator (08/2018–06/2020)
February 2017–June 2019
Health Promotion and Care (HPAC) Research Program – PI: Steven Safren, Ph.D.
Unified intervention for young gay & bisexual men’s minority stress, mental health, and HIV risk
Role: Independent Evaluator
February 2017–June 2018
Cancer Support Services Program - PI: William Pirl, M.D.
Psychological distress in parents/caregivers of children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer
Other-PIs: Jill Ehrenreich-May, Ph.D., Steven A. Safren, Ph.D.
Role: Study Lead; Graduate Research Assistant (02/2017–06/2020)
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Community perceptions of early palliative care in different racial/ethnic groups
Role: Graduate Research Assistant (04/2017–06/2018)
Voicing my CHOiCES
PI: Lori Wiener, Ph.D. (National Cancer Institute)
Role: Graduate Research Assistant (06/2017–06/2018)
Coping with cancer III
PIs: Paul Maciejewski, Ph.D., Holly Prigerson, Ph.D. (Weill Cornell Medical College)
Role: Graduate Research Assistant (04/2017–06/2018)
March 2014–December 2016
Child Health Lab – PI: Alexandra Quittner, Ph.D.
Raising optimism, strength, expectations, & success (ROSES)
Co-PI: Estefany Sáez-Flores, M.S., Matthias Salathe, M.D.
Role: Study Lead; Graduate Research Assistant (01/2016–05/2017)
Screening depression & anxiety in patients with CF and parent caregivers:
Implementation of a pilot program in a pediatric and adult CF center
Roles: Graduate Research Assistant, Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant (01/2015–04/2016)
The I Change Adherence and Raise Expectations (iCARE) study
Co-PI: Kristin Riekert, Ph.D. (Johns Hopkins School of Medicine)
Roles: Graduate Research Assistant, Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant (03/2014–12/2015)
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Development of standardized measures of barriers to treatment adherence:
Perspectives of patients, parents, and stakeholders
Co-PI: Kristin Riekert, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Roles: Graduate Research Assistant, Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant (03/2014–12/2016)
Cystic fibrosis questionnaire-revised (CFQ-R) digestive & sinus symptoms: measurement development & validation study
Roles: Graduate Research Assistant, Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant (03/2014–12/2016)
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) quality of life module development & validation study
Roles: Graduate Research Assistant, Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant (03/2014–12/2016)