Personal Statement
My public health research and practice focuses on how human health is linked to the social and ecological systems in which we live. In this work, I examine how these systems lead to inequalities in health and wellbeing, particularly in nutrition, food security, healthy lifestyles, and chronic disease.
My research draws on behavioral science, network science, and systems science, and I often work with transdisciplinary, cross-sector, and community-engaged research teams.
Findings from my research show that social networks and health behaviors are closely entwined: people select (or are pushed into) social environments with particular health norms and resources, and these social contexts go on to influence and reinforce behavior in ways that have profound impacts on health. My research also documents how social networks, communities, built environments, and policies work together to impact people’s health.
My current projects involve close partnerships with community and external stakeholders to develop health interventions and policy based on social networks and systems science, and that leverage big data and mobile health technology. The goal of this work is to promote health--in particular healthy eating, food and nutrition security, and cardio-metabolic health--among populations that face the greatest barriers to health and wellbeing.
Professional History
Associate Professor (Research) of Psychology and Spatial Sciences, University of Southern California (U.S.A.), 2024-present
Director, Institute for Food System Equity, Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California (U.S.A.), 2023-present
Director, Research Development, Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (U.S.A.), 2023-present
Associate Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences with tenure, University of Southern California (U.S.A.), 2021-2023
Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California (U.S.A.), 2014-2021
Associate Behavioral / Social Scientist, RAND Corporation (U.S.A.), 2010-2014
Research Assistant, Flinders University (Australia), 2009-2010
Research Assistant, CSIRO Food & Nutritional Sciences (Australia), 2007-2009
Education
Ph.D. Psychology, University of Adelaide (Australia), 2011.
B. Health Science (Hons), University of Adelaide (Australia), 2006.
B.A. (Psychology, Anthropology), University of Adelaide (Australia), 2004.
Teaching
University of Southern California, Food, Health and Place (SSCI 175)
University of Southern California, Foundations in Health Education and Promotion (PM 501)
Coursera, Systems Science & Obesity