Biography

My primary expertise is developing and integrating authenticated high-fidelity human patient simulation models into healthcare curricula. My academic preparation extends into several related fields including nutritional science, molecular pathology, cell biology and pharmacology. This background has equipped me with essential knowledge and experience required to research prepare and deliver physiologically and pharmacologically accurate simulated cases that may be used for education and training.

I have considerable undergraduate and professional teaching experience including the instruction and design of courses in human physiology, pathophysiology, genetics, general pharmacology, psychopharmacology and related laboratory and simulation-based experiences.

In addition to teaching responsibilities, I serve as co-director of the simulation lab within the College of Pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island. This role requires developing strong collaborations between colleges and institutions of higher education as well as pursuing opportunities for sole or collaborative research in all areas of healthcare simulation. I have experience with grants and contracts including an NLM grant which delivered both English and Spanish language drug information to the local and regional community.

As a subject matter expert, I participated in the development and authentication of drug responses that were used by the METI Co. to develop their BabySim product line. In addition to these endeavors, I have considerable experience in directing students and faculty to model accurate drug response in both normal and pathologic states and have designed pharmacology-focused simulations that are now widely used throughout the college.

In recent years, I have presented these pharmacology-focused simulations at the annual meetings of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and the Society in Europe for Simulation Applied to Medicine (SESAM). In addition, I am actively involved in creating sustainable interdisciplinary high-fidelity simulation courses and programs at my university.
Prior to my arrival at the COP, I pursued clinical osteoporosis research under the direction of Dr Edward Leib and completed my graduate work and fellowship in the Mossman lab at UVM College of Medicine. My research in the Mossman lab focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms associated with malignant mesothelioma and determining the potential of retinoic acids as chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma.