Lab Members

Purdue University has been my home for many years. I have been committed to studying commitment since my grad school days at UNC Chapel Hill, where I worked with the amazing Caryl Rusbult. Commitment is interesting because it keeps relationships intact, which is great if partners are happy and supportive of each other but not so good when partners cause each other harm or bring out the worst in one another. My research examines: (1) committed relationships as contexts where people can overcome personal insecurities, (2) the initial formation of commitment and how it changes across time, and (3) when and how commitment keeps people stuck in harmful situations. Beyond doing research, I teach statistics, collaborate with students and colleagues, and work to remove barriers to success and foster collegiality. My motto is: think globally, act personally. As for my life beyond work, I won the lottery in terms of who I married and I have two amazing kids. I also travel a lot and speak Spanish fluently.