I am a psychology major with a minor in linguistics. Before joining Dr. Merkley’s Brain Lab, I spent over a decade building and leading KoolMinds, an academic and cognitive intervention program I co-founded to serve individuals with neurodevelopmental and specific learning disorders such as ADHD and dyslexia. As a trained dyslexia and reading specialist, I designed individualized learning plans, led a team of multidisciplinary staff across multiple locations, and developed programs that included cognitive interventions. After stepping back from a leadership role to focus on clinical training and research, I returned to school to expand my ability to support individuals academically, cognitively, and emotionally.
I am a psychometrist at the BYU Comprehensive Clinic, where I administer neuropsychological assessments as part of a multidisciplinary team. Currently, I am researching language processing in individuals with ADHD and dyslexia, and I am pursuing advanced training in neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI. My current research interests include neurodevelopmental and specific learning disorders, executive function, learning and memory, trauma (TBI/PTSD), addiction and recovery, and emotional resiliency. I am also interested in optimizing neuropsychological assessment practices. I am especially interested in using imaging and cognitive data to evaluate the effectiveness of targeted interventions.
My long-term goal is to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in pediatric neuropsychology. In my future career, I hope to inspire individuals to understand their capabilities, overcome their deficits, and reach their full potential through comprehensive, evidence-based, compassionate care. I aim to help children become successful as they transition into adulthood and to give hope to adults who never had access to effective treatment when they were younger.
I enjoy writing, learning new languages, traveling, experiencing new cultures and cuisines, and spending quality time with my family. I'm also a huge fan of self-care, whether that means spa nights with my kids or enjoying time in nature.