Research Interests

I synthesize theoretical and methodological frameworks from social, developmental, and educational psychology to study children's and adolescents' close peer relationships and cross-race friendships, as well as how these relationships can meaningfully impact youths’ overall well-being and sense of belonging in school.

Specifically, I examine factors that stimulate feelings of closeness (e.g., self-disclosure, collaboration) and test whether bringing youth together under these conditions leads to the development of close peer relationships in online and school contexts. 

I also investigate the role parents play in facilitating their children's cross-race friendships. In particular, I seek to understand how parents think and feel about cross-race friendships in order to motivate parents to take active steps to support their children's cross-race friendships.

Top Left: Professional development workshop at SPSP 2024, Bottom Left: Dissertation at UW-Madison 2026, Right: Poster at SRCD 2023