Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute 

Q: What is your area of specialty/research?  

A: Molecular and cellular neuroscience, with a focus on circuit plasticity.  

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in science?  

A: I’ve always been fascinated by human and animal behavior, as well as psychology. From a very young age, I was curious about how the brain works—how it controls our body and shapes our thoughts and dreams. Growing up with parents in psychology, psychiatry, and psychoanalysis probably fueled my early interest in brain function and mental health.  

Q: What do you enjoy most about teaching?  

A: What I enjoy most is shifting students’ perspectives, especially on topics they think they’ve already figured out. I like giving them the tools to think critically, especially in today’s world where misinformation is everywhere. I’m also passionate about showing them the wide range of careers in STEM. Only a small fraction of students end up in academia, even at the graduate level, and there are so many amazing opportunities out there. I think it’s part of my job to help them see those possibilities and to get them excited about it.  

Q: What attracted you to come work for Florida Atlantic University?  

A: After teaching in the Biology Department at the University of Nevada, Reno, for a few years, I’m excited to join the Psychology Department at FAU, which offers new opportunities for my teaching and research. During my interview, I felt a strong sense of community and support here, which really appealed to me. I’m also excited to join the neuroscience community in Jupiter. I did my postdoc at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, so I’ve been aware of the excellent research happening on this campus and in Boca. The collaborative atmosphere really drew me in, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it!  

Q: How do you hope to make transformative change in your career?  

A: I’m confident that FAU will offer me opportunities to grow my research, collaborate with new partners, and teach in impactful ways. I’d love to contribute to the neuroscience community’s efforts to better understand brain function and the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in mental health disorders.