Associate Professor This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Heritage Hall 460A
(205) 934-8681

Research and Teaching Interests: Medical Sociology, Health disparities, Social stratification, The Life Course

Office Hours: By appointment

Education:

• BA, Millsaps College, Sociology
• MS, Indiana University, Applied Statistics
• PhD, Indiana University, Sociology

My research examines how social context and aging interact to influence human behavior and health. I'm actively working on projects related to:

1. Contemporary social conditions that connect education, wealth, and health
2. The shifting determinants of health disparities across historical contexts

With my research, I aim to extend the work of past scholars and scientists who have improved the quality of our lives by shedding light on the interplay between society and health. I hope to contribute knowledge to both social science and health-related disciplines.

I grew up in a small town in Mississippi and wasn’t exposed to sociology until I went to college. I became interested in studying the social world immediately after taking my first sociology course. I was truly fascinated by the extent to which history and social context shape our daily experiences. I received a B.A. in sociology at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, before obtaining my Ph.D. in Sociology (and an M.S. in Applied Statistics) from Indiana University Bloomington.

Since arriving at UAB in 2013, I’ve taught several undergraduate and graduate classes, ranging from sociological theory to categorical data analysis. I don’t think that research and teaching are mutually exclusive. In the classes I develop and teach, I actively consider the relevance of assigned readings and remain aware of recent developments in research and the news. I feel that it is essential that all types of students leave my class with a better understanding of the social world around them and the ability to articulate this understanding to others. I strive to accommodate the various needs of students while staying true to my purpose as a teacher to inspire and support students throughout their learning process.

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