We welcome students and scientists who: 

1. Share our passion for promoting adolescent health equity

2. Are interested in innovative research approaches that employ cutting-edge techniques such as ecological momentary assessment and mobile electrocardiogram devices

3. Are dedicated to clarifying the benefits of mindfulness and yoga interventions for adolescents exposed to significant adversities and

4. Have an interest in advanced statistical approaches (e.g., structural equation modeling, multi-level modeling, latent profile analysis, mixed effects models; previous experience is not required) and/or mixed methods (e.g. qualitative data analysis, photovoice)

The admissions deadline for the Clinical Psychology PhD program is December 1st. Of note, our program is currently an APA-accredited Clinical Psychology Program, and we are not accepting any students into the Counseling Psychology program.

I am reviewing applications for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle. For up-to-date information about our program, please visit our website. 

If you are passionate about research that promotes equity in mental and physical health among adolescents, I encourage you to apply. 

I am particularly excited to work with students who are interested in the following research areas:

• Adolescent mental health disparities

• Cardiometabolic health disparities

• Mindfulness and yoga interventions

• Adverse childhood experiences

• Advanced statistical approaches

• Mixed methods

• Community-based Participatory Research

• Dissemination and Implementation Science 

I especially want to encourage applications from folks who have been historically excluded from academia and psychological science, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse individuals, immigrants and refugees, individuals with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds. I care deeply about fostering an inclusive, supportive, and equity-focused lab culture, and I value the lived experiences that shape our commitments to this work.

For those interested in applying, please know that I receive a high number of requests for meetings, and in an effort to be equitable to all applicants, I am not currently holding any meetings with prospective students prior to the application/ interview process.

Personal statements can be incredibly challenging to write and advice may vary. Here are the main things that I look for in a personal statement:

1. Your research interests

2. How your research interests align with the work that we are doing within the AHEAD lab

3. How this PhD will help you to meet your long-term career goals

4. Your background and previous experience with this work. If you choose to include personal information, it is helpful if this is most relevant to your research interests and why you are applying to this PhD program. Please do not include any information that you would not typically discuss in a professional space. 

5. Why you think that you might be a good fit for our program

Please note that you do not have to discuss these items in this specific order. These are just pieces that I generally look for in an application. 

Applications and personal statements generated by AI or large language models will not be reviewed.