I am an education policy researcher dedicated to advancing children's development by examining relevant policies, programs, and instructional practices. My research integrates a broad spectrum of developmental theories to critically investigate areas such as curricular practices, the quality of teacher and child interactions, classroom environments, and peer influences. My research extends to investigate school, state, and federal level policies and programs, with a particular focus on children from marginalized backgrounds (e.g., children with disabilities). Through an interdisciplinary approach, I strive to generate actionable insights that promote equity in educational practices and nurture the holistic development of all children. My work has been published in top-tier journals and funded by the American Educational Research Association and the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education.
I am an assistant professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Maine at Farmington. I was a postdoctoral researcher in Early Literacy Development at the Ohio State University and worked as a research scientist at the University of Virginia. I received my Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Irvine. I worked at the Department of Early Education & Care during my Master of Public Policy study at Brandeis University. This experience in policy implementation motivated me to pursue a Ph.D. in Education Policy with a specialization in early childhood development.
