I have more than 25 years of experience as a professor, facilitator, trainer, and coach. I hold a B.S. in psychology & a B.A. in French Literature from Tufts University, and an M.S. & Ph.D. in Human Development & Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University. More recently, I have earned the credential of early childhood mental health endorsement (ECMH-E®) from the Massachusetts Association for Infant Mental Health (MassAIMH) for my trauma-informed work. I have taught human development to prospective and seasoned educators, social workers and child life specialists in varied settings, including Wheelock College and Penn State, and present at regional, national, and international conferences. At the community level, I created curriculum and facilitated new mothers' groups at The Freedman Center for Child and Family Development at William James College in Newton, MA, and served the larger community as early childhood mental health consultant to area schools and corporate clients. I have also partnered with local and regional agencies serving children and families such as The Children's Trust Fund, WarmLines, The Freedman Center for Child and Family Development at William James College, COMPASS for Kids, Families First, The Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children (MAAEYC), and Uncommon Threads of Lawrence, MA where I also volunteer, offering parenting workshops on Supporting the Social and Emotional Well-being of Children several times a year.
The current focus of my work centers on the microbiome and its connection to mental and overall health. Educating about its relevance for mood, health, and behavior integrates all of my skills and interests in medicine, nutrition, psychology, and neuroscience and has become my life's mission. My love and knowledge of cooking based on the Mediterranean Diet, my passion for food-as-medicine, and the science connecting stress, gut health, and mental health have inspired me to educate others about the importance of nutritious eating in the prevention and treatment of chronic illness, emotional, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative disorders. I offer science-based cooking classes, long-term coaching for optimizing mental and whole health, and keynotes and workshops on the importance of the microbiome. Check out this page that explains more about how we can work together.
I am a member of MAAEYC, MassAIMH, and NPSC, the National Prevention Science Coalition. I am also active in the Greek American community and a mother of three.
The current focus of my work centers on the microbiome and its connection to mental and overall health. Educating about its relevance for mood, health, and behavior integrates all of my skills and interests in medicine, nutrition, psychology, and neuroscience and has become my life's mission. My love and knowledge of cooking based on the Mediterranean Diet, my passion for food-as-medicine, and the science connecting stress, gut health, and mental health have inspired me to educate others about the importance of nutritious eating in the prevention and treatment of chronic illness, emotional, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative disorders. I offer science-based cooking classes, long-term coaching for optimizing mental and whole health, and keynotes and workshops on the importance of the microbiome. Check out this page that explains more about how we can work together.
I am a member of MAAEYC, MassAIMH, and NPSC, the National Prevention Science Coalition. I am also active in the Greek American community and a mother of three.