I am working toward a PhD in Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.  I study both clinical psychology (which is mostly about things that go wrong with people and their lives) as well as positive psychology (which is mostly about things that go right with people and their lives).  I’m especially interested in where these two topics intersect: how do some people manage to survive, and even thrive, despite challenging circumstances?  How can people mobilize their own strengths to help them overcome troubles (mental health-related and otherwise)?  How might people change for the better after the lowest lows and highest highs of their lives?  Dr. Marty Seligman is my advisor, and Dr. Dianne Chambless and Dr. Angela Duckworth serve as mentors on my committee.