With the original intention of being a special education teacher, I received my BA in psychology and completed my Master’s in Education at the University of Western Ontario. During this time, I began working in the Numerical Cognition Lab with Dr. Daniel Ansari. My undergraduate honors thesis explored the relationship between basic numerical magnitude processing and individual differences in math achievement in first and second grade children. In continuation of this study, my Masters thesis included an fMRI component that explored the relationship between brain activation patterns during a numerical comparison task and behavioural measures of math achievement. My experiences working in this lab have inspired me to continue research in the field of mind, brain and education leading me to complete my PhD.
My primary research interests are to determine the underlying deficits in children with math learning disabilities such as developmental dyscalculia (DD) and to explore the relationships between basic numerical magnitude processing and arithmetic achievement in both typically developing children and those with DD. In the future, I hope that empirical findings in this field can translate into instructional techniques for teacher to advance the education of all children.
My other interests include: pottery, drawing, painting, and enjoying the outdoors such as camping and rappelling!