Biography

I received my Ph.D. degree in Sociology and Demography in 2005 and M.S. degree in Statistical and Decision Sciences in 2004 from Duke University. My former academic appointments include Assistant Professor at the Department of Sociology, the Population Research Center, and Center of Demography and Economics of Aging at the University of Chicago (2005 – 2010), Associate to Alan Shapiro Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Fellow of the Carolina Population Center, and faculty member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina (UNC) – Chapel Hill (2010 – 2026). I joined the University of Notre Dame in 2026 as Duda Family Professor of Sociology and faculty affiliate of the Notre Dame Population Analytics Program (ND Pop). My scholarly work bridges social, population, and health sciences and has resulted in publications in premier peer-reviewed journals such as Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, American Sociological Review (ASR), Demography, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Sociological Methodology, American Journal of Public Health, and Journals of Gerontology. My professional accomplishments have been recognized through prestigious career awards, including the Ruth & Phillip Hettleman prize for Artistic and Scientific Achievement at UNC and the Early Achievement Award from the Population Association of America (PAA). Since 2013, I have been an elected member of the honorary Sociological Research Association. In 2026, I was elected Chair-Elect of the Medical Sociology Section of the American Sociological Association (ASA). I have also held numerous leadership positions in professional organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors of the PAA and on the councils of the Methodology, Aging and the Life Course, and Population Sections of the ASA. In addition, I have served as Deputy Editor of the ASR and as an Editorial Board member for several leading journals in sociology and demography. My research has received national media attention through outlets such as such as Reuters, The Washington Post, and CNN, and has been highlighted in press releases from major research organizations, including the Population Reference Bureau and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.