1. What is your current role at CMRI?

I serve as team lead of the Active Kids Lab and technical director of the Field-Based Physical Activity Measurement Core. Alongside Dr. Jordan Carlson, our research explores how community environments shape physical activity and influence health across the lifespan. We focus on advancing health-centered environments and delivering programs that promote physical activity for all ages. Through the PA Core, we support clinical and community research with end-to-end services for collecting and processing physical activity data using accelerometers and other wearable technologies.

If I had to pick a favorite study, it would probably be our Stay Active project. It was a small pilot we pulled together during the COVID-19 pandemic to help elementary school students and their teachers work physical activity breaks into the virtual school day. We gave students Garmin devices to track their steps, hosted short activity breaks throughout the week and provided extra resources for parents and teachers. We learned a lot AND it was such a positive experience during a collectively difficult time.

2. What drew you to a career at CMRI?

My career began at Children's Mercy in 2016 working with the Promoting Health in Teens and Kids (PHIT Kids) team in the Weight Management Department. What I learned from PHIT Kids families along with my experiences earning my Master of Public Health made it clear that I wanted to focus on having a more upstream impact on health. I'm passionate about creating supportive environments that help our communities thrive for generations to come.

3. What are your research/career goals?

My current career goal is to be the best team lead I can be by supporting the work we do, my Principal Investigator and my coworkers. We have an incredible team, and I’m committed to helping us carry out our projects with excellence and integrity.

I'd be remiss not to mention the greatest mentors who have shaped me along the way: Shelly Summar, Margo Quiriconi, and Dr. Jordan Carlson. Navigating the research world and discovering my career direction has only been possible because of their encouragement, support and honest guidance.

4. What is your favorite thing about working at CMRI?

It really always comes down to the people, doesn’t it? We’re fortunate to have access to cutting-edge technology and facilities, but it’s the people who make this work possible and thoroughly enjoyable. I am immensely grateful for my team and for the chance to work alongside not only leaders in the field, but genuinely generous and dedicated people working exhaustively to improve the lives of our kids.

5. What is on your bucket list?

It may be less of a bucket list item and more of the driving force behind everything I do now, but I want to raise my son well, and if we get to do that on a piece of land, with a vegetable garden and family and friends nearby, even better. :)