I am a Developmental Psychobiologist who studies animals to gain insight into how genetic and environmental factors contribute to individual differences in health and welfare across lifespan. My research is organized under three core areas. The first evaluates how exposure to environmental toxins in diet, such as arsenic, are associated with presentation of behavioral and physiological correlates of neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. The second evaluates evaluates whether the manner in which we house and care for laboratory animals affects their welfare, the validity of the models for which they are used, and the generalizability and reproducibility of experimental results derived from such use. The third is focused on the refinement of existing as well as the development of novel behavioral phenotyping tasks for use in health-related biomedical research and for assessments of animal welfare. As a mentor and educator, I am committed to providing access to opportunities for groups underrepresented in science. As an academic, I am committed to engaging in public education and dialogue with the goal of contributing to local and broad efforts to improve understanding and protect public interests in humane and ethical scientific research.