About
My research examines puberty as a biological, social, and cultural transition. I am especially interested in how young people make meaning of bodily change when development unfolds within unequal social worlds. Much of my work focuses on Black girls and other youth of color, with particular attention to pubertal timing, adultification, ethnic-racial and gender identity development, school experiences, peer and family relationships, and mental health.
Across my scholarship, I ask how social contexts shape the interpretation and consequences of puberty. Early or off-time development is often studied as an individual risk factor, but my work examines how caregivers, peers, educators, and institutions respond to young people’s changing bodies, and how those responses influence well-being, behavior, belonging, and educational trajectories. I am particularly interested in how racism, sexism, classism, and adultification shape the developmental meanings attached to Black girls’ bodies and behavior.
My research is grounded in Black Feminist and Womanist theories, intersectionality, and developmental science. Methodologically, I use mixed methods, including secondary data analysis, original survey studies, experiments, qualitative interviews, and community-engaged research. This approach allows me to examine puberty not only as a biological process, but also as a site of identity development, social interpretation, and structural inequality.
A central goal of my work is to translate developmental science into programs, practices, and tools that support young people and the adults in their lives. Through the RISE Lab, I develop research and community partnerships focused on puberty education, Black girlhood, identity development, caregiver and educator support, and culturally grounded interventions such as Double Digits and Black Girlhood Unfolded.
Areas of study: Pubertal timing and tempo • Black girlhood • Adultification • Ethnic-racial and gender identity development • Peer, family, and school contexts • Puberty education • Mental health and belonging • Community-engaged developmental science
