I am an Associate Professor and Director of the Interaction & Media Sciences Lab within the Department of Teaching & Learning at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. As a behavioral scientist interested in the intersection of human-computer interaction (HCI) and socioemotional development; my research focuses on how principles of HCI can be applied to the creation of technology-based psychoeducational assessments and interventions, particularly in the areas of aggression and social skills development.
I am a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and American Educational Research Association (AERA). I am an Associate Editor for the International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulations and review for such journals as Computers in Human Behavior, Interacting with Computers, and Media Psychology. If you are interested in finding out more information regarding our programs, my research, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Did I mention I love the Dodgers and Vegas Golden Knights, am an avid photographer, and huge fan of punk rock?
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Learning and Technology, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dissertation: Personality, Presence, and the Virtual Self: A Five Factor Model Approach to Behavioral Analysis within a Virtual Environment.
M.S. Educational Policy, Foundations, and Administration: Post-Secondary, Adult, and Continuing Education. Portland State University.
B.S. Business Administration: Information Systems. Portland State University.
AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS
Best Paper Award – A hardcore look at the casual measurement of gamer experience. Presented at International Organization of Social Sciences and Behavioral Research Conference, Las Vegas, NV, 2022.
Best Paper Award – Time to acclimate: Examining the influence of cognitive ability on situating to a video game. Presented at CELDA 2020.
Nominated, College of Education Distinguished Research Award, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 2019
Faculty Travel Award – $600.00, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2018
Nominated, Regents Rising Researcher Award, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 2017
Nominated, College of Education Distinguished Research Award, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 2016
Nominated, College of Education Early Career Award, University of University of Nevada, Las Vegas 2016
Nominated, College of Education Early Career Award, University of University of Nevada, Las Vegas 2015
Distinguished Teaching Fellows Award, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2013
Graduation and Retention Advocate Award, (Student Nominated), University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2013
Research Forum Award – Graduate and Professional Student Association, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2011
Graduate Student Scholar Certificate of Excellence, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Educational Psychology, 2008
Best Paper Award – Inter- and Intra-Textuality in Massively Multiplayer Online Games, presented at the annual meeting of EISTA, 2008
Graduate Student Scholar Certificate of Excellence, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Educational Psychology, 2007
APPOINTMENTS
2019 – Present – Associate Professor of Interaction & Media Sciences, Department of Teaching & Learning, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
2014 – 2019 – Assistant Professor of Interaction & Media Sciences, Department of Teaching & Learning, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
2011 – 2014 – Assistant Professor of Educational Foundations, Department of Educational Leadership, University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
2010 – 2011 – Clark County School District Student to Teacher Enlistment Project Undergraduate Program (STEP UP), Part-Time Instructor.
2010 – 2011 – Nevada State College, Part-Time Instructor.
2007 – 2011 – University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Part-Time Instructor, Graduate Assistant.
2006 – 2007 – University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Graduate Research Assistant.
2005 – 2006 – University Nevada, Las Vegas, Teaching and Learning Center, Graduate Assistant.
2001 – 2004 – Intel Corporation, Programmer / Analyst.
IN THE NEWS
Studying the “World of Warcraft”