My research focuses on how autistic people are perceived by their peers, how these perceptions differ for autistic people from underrepresented groups, and how to reduce stigma among non-autistic people. I am also interested in using qualitative methods to better understand the experiences of autistic people with intersecting identities, with an emphasis on Black autistic people. For my dissertation, I investigated the relationship between stigmatizing attitudes, peer victimization, and mental health outcomes in Black and White autistic adults.
As a Postdoctoral Fellow working with Dr. Elizabeth Redcay in the Developmental Social Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, I am investigating the relationship between neural divergence, peer stigma, and loneliness in autistic adolescents. As a secondary focus, I will collaborate on projects exploring social identity in autistic youth and investigating ways to improve interactions between autistic and non-autistic people in the workplace.