I came into Physical Education, Corporate Fitness and Wellness with a personal goal to understand how to mitigate heart disease. After using my degree as a Personal Trainer and in the hospital setting, I desired to learn more about the health disparities and the social determinants of health that were present in my daily work among patients and clients. I graduated with my MPH, Health Education and promotion from Grand Valley State University in 2015. Then, I went on to complete my PhD at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI to position myself differently so I might advance health equity by understanding community-based solutions for sustainable change via policies, systems, and environments.
My Work History:
Evaluation Specialist, Michigan Fitness Foundation (Current)
Research Assistant, Michigan State University- Flint Campus
Graduate Research Assistant, Wayne State University
Director of Programs, Roosevelt Park Ministries
My Interests:
My research interests are centered on food justice in the food system. More specifically, policy in the school food and retail environments, food marketing, food access, and sugary-sweetened beverages. Beyond my immediate research interests are related variables to achieve optimal well-being such as: Environmental Justice, The Dimensions of Wellness, Life Course Theory, and the benefits of adopting Mindful Habits.