She is trained as a behavioral scientist with an emphasis in health communication. Her research is focused on maternal, child and family health, with an emphasis on elementary-aged children and adolescents.
She has conducted a number of studies related to Medicaid waiver programs and how enrollees understand and adapt to these programs. Additionally she has examined how parents, children and schools are responding to changes from the Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010. Her interests in adolescent a health have resulted in a series of studies in adolescent pregnancy prevention and the HPV vaccine.
Research Interests
- Intersection of health policy and behavior change
- Family and child health
- Health communication
- Evaluation