I worked with Dr. Susan Brasser, in her Behavioral Neurobiology lab, where I learned the ins-and-outs of carefully conducting research on the genetic and biological underpinnings of addiction. I also benefited tremendously from the program’s coursework, including outstanding coursework in statistical methods and clinical psychology. My time at SDSU helped set me up for later success as a doctoral student. I left SDSU’s M.A. program for the University of Missouri’s Ph.D. program, where I earned a doctorate in Clinical Science (Psychology), with a minor in Psychological Statistics and Methods.
After graduating from Missouri, I took a postdoctoral position at the University of Colorado Boulder, where I continue to conduct research on the genetic and biological mechanisms of addiction. My time at SDSU and in Dr. Brasser’s lab provided the scientific foundation on which I would go to build my research career, including helping me to discover my love of statistical methods and the many ways in which psychological research can be used to understand clinical problems.