My lab leverages novel methodologies and modern tools (i.e. Ecological Momentary Assessment via smartphone, text message analysis, social media) to better understand the ways in which young people’s social contexts and relationships impact their mental health and risk taking behaviors. We focus closely on the role of parents and the cultural environments within which families are embedded.
My work focuses on teaching and teacher education, community engagement, and language, literacy and culture, particularly with minoritized communities.
children’s social attitudes, their reasoning about social and cultural groups, food preferences and eating behavior, and early health concepts.
I study risk and protective factors for low-income and ethnic minority children including school readiness, family engagement in education and ECE utilization by Hispanic families.