I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Fairfield University. I also direct the Child Development and Learning Laboratory at Fairfield. Prior to joining Fairfield University's College of Arts and Sciences, I earned my Ph.D. in Applied Human Development from Boston University. I also earned my Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Development from the University of Pennsylvania as well as my Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and teaching license in Early Childhood Education from Boston University. 

 

My research broadly focuses on children's social-cognitive development and early learning experiences across sociocultural contexts. Utilizing a strengths-based approach, the goal of my research is to understand the factors that impact each child’s learning and development in a particular context. More specifically, I investigate how the language in children’s social contexts, shapes their early learning in informal and formal learning environments during early childhood. In my work, I am committed to bridging ideas from developmental psychology and early childhood education and applying them to classroom settings. The aim of my work is to develop evidenced-based interventions to enhance school readiness skills for all children.