About Me
I received my Ph.D. in Health Psychology at the University of California, Merced. My research interests include 1) examining the impact of cognitions on tobacco-related behaviors, with a special emphasis in understanding whether people's perceptions surrounding addiction align with the 11 clinical dimensions of tobacco use disorder, and 2) antecedents to health risk behaviors, with a special interest in understanding health protective behavior. Currently, I am a first-year postdoctoral scholar in the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education (CTCRE) at the University of California, San Francisco.
Recent Activities 2025
- April 26 - New publication in Tobacco Use Insights for my dissertation work developing and validating a scale to assess perceptions of nicotine addiction in line with the clinical dimensions of tobacco use disorder
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February 20 - New publication in Urban Science examining the usability of two tobacco product waste collection protocols using a community engaged approach
- This paper was featured as the issue cover, check out the in-field images!
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January 22 - Received a Diversity Scholars Award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Office of Research Training, Diversity, and Disparities (ORTDD) to present at SRNT 2025
- I was honored to receive this award, but due to administrative changes in the U.S., I have been informed that the funding agency can no longer support this award. I understand and respect the decision made by the funding agency.
- January 13 - New publication in Health Communication examining perceptions towards the U.S. FDA e-cigarette warning labels among young adults in California
Fellowships and Awards
Diversity Scholars Travel Award | NIDA Office of Research Training, Diversity, and Disparities *
* rescinded due to federal administrative changes in the U.S.
Outstanding Health Psychology Graduate Student AY2023-2024 | UC Merced
Dr. Vikram and Priya Lakireddy Fellowship | UC Merced
Graduate Student Research and Development Support Award | UC Merced
Psychological Sciences Research Dissemination Award | UC Merced
Tabachnick and Fidell Multivariate Statistics Award | California State University, Northridge