Contact
Biography
In 2022, I received my BA Summa Cum Laude in Philosophy and Cognitive Science from Occidental College (Los Angeles). Subsequently, I received my Philosophy MA with Distinction from UoN in 2023. After my MA, I worked for a year as a research assistant for UoN's Philosophy of Mental Health Research Group before beginning my PhD.
I am currently a second year doctoral researcher working with Matthew Duncombe, Craig French, and Sarah Gunn (University of Leicester). I am funded by Midlands4Cities AHRC Doctoral Studentship program and am an ambassador for the British Society for the History of Philosophy.
In addition to my degrees, I hold a certificate in Neuroethics from the University of Oxford, and am working towards one in Intermediate Latin from King's College London.
Expertise Summary
The focus of my PhD thesis is modernizing Stoic ideas and practices to improve Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. This is a follow-up to my MA thesis on Stoicism and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, both their historical relationship and ideas for future integration. My work is largely a combination of Ancient Philosophy, Applied Ethics, Philosophy of Emotions, and Philosophy of Mental Health. I am also involved in projects concerning despair, grief, and neuroethics.
My previous research experiences included work in semiotics, AI architecture, AI ethics, Wittgenstein, Heidegger, and social media.
Teaching Summary
I have undergraduate teaching experience in Formal Logic, Applied Ethics, and Ancient Ethics. Additionally, I have over ten years experience teaching mathematics (basic - Algebra II) and English.
Research Summary
My PhD thesis focuses on applying Stoic ideas and practices to improve Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This work includes both defending the Stoic psychotheraputic project, and modernizing… read more
Current Research
My PhD thesis focuses on applying Stoic ideas and practices to improve Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This work includes both defending the Stoic psychotheraputic project, and modernizing ancient ideas into practices.
I am also involved in several projects on negative emotions, specifically despair, grief, and anger.
Past Research
Philosophy
In 2020, I received a URC Summer Fellowship to investigate how Stoic virtue ethics can help young adults navigate the mental health challenges posed by social media. The following summer, I was awarded another URC Fellowship to research Wittgenstein's concept of deep disagreements and its relevance to American political discourse. My undergraduate philosophy thesis argued that the notions of 'contentment' in Stoicism and Daoism are equivalent, despite their fundamentally different approaches to achieving it. In 2023, I completed my MA dissertation, which focused on the influence of Stoicism on CBT and explored additional ways Stoic principles could enhance CBT. Before, starting my PhD, I was a research assistant for Craig French, where my work focused on understanding the philosophical underpinnings of psychotherapy and practical issues caused by the DSM.
Cognitive Science
During my last two years of undergraduate study, I served as a research assistant for Prof. Justin Li (Occidental College). Our project examined the application of Bayesian reasoning in artificial intelligence models of long-term memory, specifically ACT-R and LMTC. Additionally, in my third undergraduate year, I assisted Prof. Aisha Raees (Loyola University Chicago) with her research on a semiotic theory of mind and personality. My undergraduate thesis in Cognitive Science explored the development of AI in lethal autonomous weapons systems and addressed the moral implications associated with these technologies.
Future Research
I am interested in all research that involve Stoicism, grief, or anger. If you would like to chat more or collaborate, please feel free to email me.