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

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 fascinated by the extent to which social structures determine our lives. Broadly speaking, my research focusses on social inequalities and aging interact with one another to influence population health. I'm actively working on projects related to:

1. wealth, debt, and midlife health and
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, and by doing so, I hope to contribute knowledge to both social science and health-related disciplines.

I teach 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 each of my classes, I actively consider the relevance of assigned readings and remain aware of recent developments in research and the news that I might use in my classes. 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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