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BIO and CV

Personal Profile

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Nobody knows anything. We'll take this leap, and we'll see. We'll jump, and we'll see; that's life.

Joe Versus the Volcano

It's been a long, curving road that's made me who I am today. I've been a researcher, an educator, a systems engineer, a writer, and a toymaker. It took me half my life to find my calling, and I've never been happier.

In the middle of life's journey I found myself in a dark wood, and I knew not the way
Dante Alighieri, Inferno I:1-3

There's more to my story. You can read more about my experience and what brought me to the field of psychotherapy elsewhere on this site.

Want to know more about me or join my professional network?.

You can view my scientific publication history, including peer-reviewed journal articles, on ORCiD, NCBI, or ResearchGate. I'd also love to connect with you via LinkedIn!

Training & Licensure

January 2025

Wellness Institute

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

NBCCH-Certified

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (upcoming)

60 hours didactic training and 30 hours supervised practicum using trauma-informed hypnotherapy to treat PTSD, addiction, anxiety, relational issues, dissociation, eating disorders, and pain disorders in adults and children.

2024

CBTIweb

In affiliation with MUSC

CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I)

Evidence-based assessment, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and treatment of insomnia in civilians and veterans, including use of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Sleep Disorders-Revised (SCISD-R).

2024

EMDRHAP

EMDRIA-Accredited

EMDR-Trained Therapist

Case conceptualization, treatment planning, and trauma-informed implementation of the eight phases of EMDR for PTSD, mood and anxiety issues, addiction, specific and process phobias, and other presentations.

Education

2021-2024

National University

San Diego, California

MA, Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT)

Specialization in Medical Family Therapy (MedFT), also known as integrated behavioral health (IBH). Cumulative GPA 4.0.

2018-2020

Utica University

Utica, New York

MS, Data Science (MSDS)

Specialization in Cyberintelligence. Cumulative GPA 4.0.

Thesis title: Covariation of Beta-amyloid and Tau protein Bioburden with Functional Connectivity in the Normative Aged (Dr. Michael McCarthy, advisor)

2006-2009

Nathan S. Kline Institute

Orangeburg, New York

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Medical Physics

Developed MRI data analysis software, served as neuroscientist and data analyst on multiple clinical research projects in humans and animals, provided surgical, statistical, and MRI operational support, authored literature reviews and whitepapers, contributed to the Department of Medical Physics educational program by training physicians and medical, graduate, and undergraduate students in data analysis and neurobiology, expanded the Division's expertise in acquisition and analysis of massive datasets, and improved existing technologies and methodologies for visualizing and integrating higher-dimensional data.

2002-2008

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

PhD, Neuroscience

Cumulative GPA 3.5.

Dissertation title: Neurodynamics of Episodic Memory Consolidation (Dr. Laura Symonds, advisor)

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1998-2002

Georgia State University

Atlanta, Georgia

BS, Biology

Specialization in Molecular Biology. Cumulative GPA 3.2.

Capstone project: Optimization of conditions for laboratory analysis of DNA at the TPOX locus (Dr. Therese Poole, advisor)

Experience

2019-2024

Emory University School of Medicine

Atlanta, Georgia

Academic Research Scientist

Collaborated with diverse teams at diverse teams at Emory, Veterans Affairs, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and the Shepherd Center on human and rodent neuroimaging projects. Projects included epilepsy, aging, Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, neuropathic pain, vestibular impairment in concussion patients, and effects of mindfulness meditation in healthcare trainees. Performed fMRI, volumetric-morphometric, spectroscopic, and frequentist, Bayesian, and machine learning analyses.
 

2015-present

Bold & Stark LC

Woodstock, Georgia

Owner and Data Analytics Consultant

Human and animal data analytics, communications, visualization, and programming services for federal, state, and private institutions, including the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and UC Davis. Delivered weekly and final reports to clients. Managed social media presence and advertising; authored web documents and interfaces in HTML5 and CSS; and ensured regulatory compliance with state entities.
 

2016-2019

CNI Advantage, LLC

Decatur, Georgia

Scientific Technical Writer

Created scientific documentation regarding restricted bioagents and toxins, biosafety containment, and related regulation for government entities, including detailed transcripts of meetings, action items, decisions, agendas, and other documents according to government guidelines. Maintained an electronic study repository and managed the author, review, and approval process for electronic submission documents. Optimized existing procedures and made recommendations regarding internal document controls and work practices. Facilitated document review and resolution meetings and reviewed work of other writers for accuracy, quality, focus, format, and stylistic requirements as needed.
 

2016-2017

Georgia Public Broadcasting

Atlanta, Georgia

Technical Production Consultant (Physics)

Authored content for, and served as onsite consultant during filming of, an educational video series on physics for Georgia high school students. Generated briefing documents and supplementary materials, reviewed filming scripts, provided feedback regarding technical accuracy of content and pedagogy, and created and collaborated on educational enrichment activities.

2014-2015

Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Norwalk, Connecticut

Museum Educator (STEM Specialist)

Designed and taught STEM/STEAM classes and activities for children aged 3-11 at the museum, New York and Connecticut schools, and other locations. Served as Science Advisor for the Museum: directed exhibit and event planning, mentored science-based Gallery Team, and reviewed documents and lesson plans for scientific accuracy and clarity. Designed and built electromechanical learning aids and performed bench testing and repair of electromechanical devices in exhibits to support Engineering staff. Provided pedagogical and science training and resources to other educators and museum staff.

2009-2014

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Bronx, New York

Associate Faculty

Served as neuroscientist, project manager, programmer, and data analyst for diverse basic and clinical/translational research projects. Responsible for human and animal MRI, DTI, and PET/CT data acquisition and maintenance as well as routine animal neuro- and vascular surgeries. Authored technical dossiers and whitepapers, literature reviews, and written and multimedia training materials (scientific compute cluster usage, programming, neuroscience, and surgery). Led programming team to design and implement an automated, expert-systems/machine learning data processing pipeline on a supercomputing cluster. Performed statistical analysis and predictive analytics of large, multidimensional MRI datasets using AFNI, FSL, SPM, and other toolkits, presented research findings at biomedical conferences and in scientific journals, and instituted and led Educational Outreach programs.

Memberships

2024-present

APA

American Psychological Association

Lifetime Member

2022-present

Delta Kappa

International Marriage and Family Therapy Honor Society

Lifetime Member

2022-present

CFHA

Collaborative Family Healthcare Association

Member

2022-present

Sigma Alpha Pi Honor Society

National Society of Leadership and Success

Lifetime Member

2023-present

Omega Nu Lambda

National Honor Society, Phi Chapter

Lifetime Member

2024-2025

MFTSAC

National University MFT Student Advisory Council

Member

2021-present

AAMFT

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Professional Member

2021-2024

NAEYC

National Association for the Education of Young Children

Member

2021-2024

ISMRM

International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

Member

2021-2023

ASNR

American Society of Neuroradiology

Member (Research Scientist)

2019-2023

ASFNR

American Society of Functional Neuroradiology

Member

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