Academic & Educational Content
My academic work spans peer-reviewed publications, doctoral research in epidemiology, and educational content designed to make biomedical science accessible to students, practitioners, and the public.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
RNA Structure: Past, Future, and Gene Therapy Applications (2024)
Published in MDPI
A technical exploration of RNA biology — from foundational structure and function to the therapeutic applications now transforming gene therapy, vaccine design, and precision medicine.
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A Game of Phones: Capitalizing on Health Applications, Gamification, and Improving Patient Outcomes (2020)
Published in BUWell (Butler University)
An exploration of how gamification principles and mobile health applications can improve patient engagement and health outcomes — examining the evidence base for game-based interventions in chronic disease management.
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Memory Salad: Part of a Balanced Head Injury Diet (2017)
Published in BUWell (Butler University)
An early investigation into traumatic brain injury and memory — examining the neurological mechanisms of post-injury cognitive impairment and recovery.
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Doctoral Dissertation
Cancer Literacy and Social Determinants of Health: An Epidemiological Analysis of Trust, Digital Engagement, and Healthcare Utilization in Cancer Information Seeking (2026)
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Using nationally representative HINTS 6 data (N=6,197), this dissertation examines how institutional trust, digital health literacy, and social determinants of health influence cancer information-seeking behavior and healthcare utilization. The study employs multilevel regression, mediation, and moderation analyses to identify the pathways through which structural inequities shape who seeks — and who avoids — cancer prevention information.
Educational Articles
Thank You for Liking, Commenting, and Subscribing (2019)
An analysis of social media's influence on health behavior and health communication, exploring how digital engagement shapes public health messaging.
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There's an App for That: A Look at The Science Behind Health Apps (2020)
A review of the evidence behind popular health applications and what the science actually says about their effectiveness for behavior change.
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COVID-19 & Implications for Behavioral Health Providers in Unprecedented Times (2020)
A timely examination of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted behavioral health service delivery and what providers could do to adapt.
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Lesson Plans with GIDEON Informatics
As Marketing Manager at GIDEON Informatics, a global infectious disease intelligence platform used by clinicians, researchers, and educators worldwide, I designed 16 university-level lesson plans that bring epidemiology and infectious disease science into the classroom. Each lesson plan was built around GIDEON's proprietary database and designed for undergraduate and graduate public health, microbiology, and nursing programs.
These lesson plans bridge the gap between real-world epidemiological data and active learning, giving instructors ready-to-use modules that teach critical thinking about disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, vaccine science, and antimicrobial resistance.Lesson Plan Topics
Infectious Disease Foundations
Vaccines & Prevention
Antimicrobial Resistance
Disease Deep Dives
History, Culture & Epidemiology
Using GIDEON in the Classroom
Impact
Adopted by university programs teaching public health, epidemiology, microbiology, and nursing
Designed to align with learning objectives for undergraduate and graduate-level coursework
Each lesson plan includes background reading, guided exercises using GIDEON's database, discussion questions, and assessment prompts
