Professional Biography

My interests in dilemmas of interpersonal communication began during my undergraduate years at Lewis and Clark: How do we accomplish interpersonal tasks (such as giving advice, gaining compliance, or expressing support) while simultaneously enacting valued identities and relational definitions? Graduate study at University of Washington gave me an appreciation for how these communication processes are shaped by social networks and cultural systems. I began applying these interests to health-related topics as a faculty member at the University of Illinois.

My current research focuses on couples in which one person is coping with a chronic health condition such as heart disease, cancer, or HIV. For example, how can you encourage your partner to eat better without sounding like a nag? How do couples talk about fears related to illness and treatments? Under what conditions is social support from friends and family helpful in coping with illness?

I am a native Oregonian and I love to go with my family to the beach, the mountains, or the desert. I also enjoy swimming, reading, knitting, and cooking.

Academic Credentials

Ph.D. 1990, M.A. 1988 University of Washington

B.S. 1986 Lewis & Clark College