Education

Post-doctoral Scholar, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA
PhD, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, IL
MPH, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, IL
BS, Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL

Research Interest

My research interest is in the public health implications of cognition and brain health; specifically, the investigation of physical activity, fitness, and (excess) body mass on brain health and cognition in children. I have examined these relationships using behavioral and neuroimaging measures to study the influence of acute and chronic physical activity on cognition. I am also interested in the relationship between body composition and cognition, as the obesity epidemic continues to spread in children. I hope to gain a better understanding of the relationship between body composition and cognitive health that will lead to increased public health awareness about the inactivity levels of children and the vast health problems associated with these behaviors.