15+ years of evidence-based research on how people transform adversity into authentic growth.

My Research Focus

As a researcher at Duke University, I study what makes some people crumble under pressure while others discover who they're truly meant to be. My work focuses on:

• Transformational Resilience: How adversity becomes a catalyst for authentic growth

• Educational Disruption: Why some students who leave school later thrive

• Values Persistence: How core values endure through even the darkest times

• Intervention Development: Creating evidence-based programs that actually work

Key Finding

"Despite significant adversity and educational disruptions, people consistently maintained strong underlying values and dreams. They don't disappear during hard times - they wait."

This discovery revolutionized my approach to resilience work. It's not about building something new - it's about reconnecting with what was always there.

Academic Background

• PhD in Social Work (Intervention Research), Duke University

• MSW & MS in Educational Psychology

• Master Coach Certified

• Published researcher in peer-reviewed journals

• TEDx Speaker on Transformational Resilience

• 15+ years developing community-based interventions

Current Research

I'm currently implementing school-based curricula that teach Transformational Resilience skills to adolescents, with a focus on the intersection of education and mental health.

Interested in research collaboration? [Contact me.]