BIO
I am a Biology Professor at Francis Marion University. My naturally curious and inquisitive nature has led me to be a lover of science my entire life. I have always had particular interest in humans and the biological processes that drive human behavior. My desire to understand the biological basis of human behavior led me to earn a BS in Neuroscience and a PhD in Biomedical Science, with an emphasis in Neuroscience.
Throughout my career, I have taught a variety of courses including introductory, upper level, and special topics courses. My research largely focuses on understanding various aspects of social interactions and on the cross-section between social interactions and implicit racial bias.
I am originally from Charleston, SC and currently live in Florence, SC with my family. In my personal time I enjoy creating, reading, writing, moving, and spending time with my friends and family.
Education
2002-2006
Furman University
Greenville, SC, USA
2006-2011
University of South Carolina - School of Medicine
Columbia, SC, USA
BS - Neuroscience
As an undergraduate student, I discovered my love for neuroscience research. Mentored by Dr. Judy Grisel, I worked on a variety of collaborative projects including an investigation into the effects of genetic background and biological sex on alcohol sensitivity.
PhD - Biomedical Sciences
Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience
As a graduate student, my love of research matured and led to mastery of a new set of research skills. My graduate research focused on understanding the age differences of insulin effects on neural plasticity in rats.