My research interests span three primary areas within clinical psychology: psychological assessment, forensic psychology, and health psychology.  One area of my research has explored the validity of various Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) subscales in relation to crime history data in prison inmates and crime and violence among high school students.  I am exploring other potential forensic uses of the MMPI such as in the selection of police officers and I am examining the validity of a new measure of psychopathy, the Psychopathic Personality Inventory, in relation to criminal behavior.  I also conducted a series of studies recently, which explored the MMPI’s tendency to “overpathologize” when administered to younger individuals (i.e., 18-21 year-olds).  Within the realm of health psychology, I am in the process of validating a new measure of a construct I call “irrational food beliefs” (IFBs).  IFBs are defined as cognitively distorted, unhealthy attitudes and beliefs pertaining to food (e.g., “food is my only source of pleasure,” “I can't possibly live without eating ice cream,” etc.).  I have found that scores on my measure are related to weight control history and outcomes in both college and community populations.

My teaching interests and responsibilities closely mirror my research interests.  I typically teach Introductory Psychology each semester.  In addition, I teach upper level courses such as Abnormal Psychology, Psychological Assessment, Clinical Psychology, and Advanced Topics.  I supervise numerous honors theses and independent study projects.  I am also the instructor/coordinator for the Practicum in Psychology course (PSY 491) which is offered every fall semester.  This course involves placing students at various community agencies to enable them to get "hands on" experience working within the profession of psychology.  I also serve as our department's liaison with the Office of Cooperative Education, supervising the work of our majors who are involved in the Co-op Program.  In addition to my teaching, I maintain a part-time clinical practice.