Education

Doctor of Philosophy

Neuroscience

Vanderbilt University

Bachelor of Arts

Biochemistry

St. Mary’s College of Maryland

About

I am passionate about investigating mechanisms for neural adaptation. How do we learn predictive relationships about our world? How do modern environmental pressures change our brain and our behavior? Building from my doctoral work defining synaptic plasticity in nucleus accumbens motivational circuitry, my work in the Betley lab investigates the connections within our reward system that enable learning. Specifically, I aim to illuminate circuits and synaptic architectures that underlie learning about food cues. By viewing metabolic and behavioral disorders through the lens of learning, I aim to uncover novel targets to rescue maladaptive behavior and improve our fundamental understanding of how our experiences in the world change us.

When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy bird watching, reading spy novels, and spending time chasing my toddler and my cats. I also love movies!