After growing up in an isolating environment in rural Iowa, I discovered the uplifting power of mindfulness apps. These tools not only nurtured my mental well-being but also fueled my academic pursuits and personal interests in psychology, technology, and design.

As I dug deeper into my research career, I became engulfed in projects involving human-computer interaction and personality psychology. My curiosity led me to explore how seemingly fixed personality traits serve as precursors to significant life outcomes. Equally fascinating was the role of environmental factors, especially technology, in shaping these outcomes. Apart from being an academic researcher, I’ve delved into diverse projects allowing me to exercise my creativity, from content creation to graphic design for organizations. I’ve explored data visualization for academic papers and even dabbled in consulting 3D artists in simulating dementia for educational purposes.

My experiences have shown me just how impactful technology and design are in shaping our everyday choices even further. Outside of my professional endeavors, I channel my creativity into other various outlets. You’ll find me writing poetry and illustrating—each activity an pathway for self-expression.