Education
Ph.D., Forestry: Michigan State University. Fall, 1999
 Concentrations in Urban, Community and Environmental Studies.
M.A., Ecological/Community Psychology: Michigan State University, 1993.
B.A., Psychology: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1987.
B.A., Sociology: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1987.

Research Interests
Participatory urban/community redevelopment, environmental justice and community empowerment and self-determination. Specifically, the role of urban agriculture in rebuilding community and promoting community and youth health and well-being through participatory action research.

Current Projects
Child Health Incubator Research Project (CHIRP) – Primary Investigator/Project Director
A partnership with 7 Detroit community-based organizations exploring the role of urban agriculture and food security in promoting health among Detroit children ages 2-8.

Detroit Civic Agriculture Network
Evaluating the effort to create a profitable, job-creating, community-based agricultural network including retail and wholesale production and creation of value-added products in Detroit’s Hope District.

Detroit Food Justice Task Force
Evaluating a collaboration among 14 community-based environmental, food and agricultural organizations that are working to create food awareness, food sovereignty and food justice in Detroit.