My research falls into two lines:

1. One line of research focuses on sleep as a fundamental aspect of health and potential mediator that links childhood poverty, family stress and overall well-being. Scientific knowledge about how sleep contributes to adjustment, behavior, obesity and general health is growing rapidly; the consensus is that in addition to diet and exercise, sleep should be considered the “third pillar” of health-promoting behavior.

Research has also shown that children from poor families receive worse and shorter sleep than their more well-to-do counterparts. Understanding why there is a “sleep disparity” is a critical first step that will help inform prevention efforts aimed at improving the sleep (and maybe general well-being) of children at risk.

2. The second line of research focuses on the period of development known as “emerging adulthood” and on the factors that influence the well-being of individuals during this period. During this phase of the lifespan, emerging adults are hopefully acquiring skills that will help them make a successful transition to adulthood. In my research, I am interested in asking questions about how a particular background or experience may influence the acquisition of those skills and aid in a successful transition to adulthood.