I’m an Associate Professor of Sociology at Michigan State University, with joint appointments in the Department of Sociology, the Environmental Science and Policy Program, and AgBioResearch. My research focuses on collaborating with communities to address environmental and health challenges through Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). I am dedicated to empowering communities, particularly those in vulnerable areas like Flint, Michigan, to take ownership of their health and environmental data.

 

My work aims to bridge the gap between the public and scientific communities by developing innovative, low-cost technologies to address critical issues and restore trust in science.I am deeply concerned with the growing decline in trust towards science and public institutions. Through my research, I seek to involve communities directly in the research process, helping them build knowledge, acquire new skills, and become more confident in making informed decisions that affect their health and well-being. My objective is to create pathways that allow communities to lead their own research efforts, ultimately improving public health outcomes and fostering stronger, more trusting relationships with science.

 

Currently, my research focuses on how communities can develop their own solutions to environmental and health challenges, and how we can eliminate barriers that hinder full public participation in scientific endeavors. I collaborate closely with community partners to identify their most pressing concerns, and together, we work toward practical, evidence-based solutions that can make a meaningful difference.