BA Rutgers University

MA University of Delaware

PhD Michigan State University

My program of research examines the role of communication technology in processes of impression management, impression formation, social influence, and support-seeking. To illustrate, my research on impression formation has investigated how people evaluate online self-presentations and how such evaluations affect offline relationships. Related to social influence, I've examined how features of new media--such as viewer-generated commentary--complicate the way traditional mass-mediated messages are received. Relevant to health communication, I've sought to identify the causal determinants of online help-seeking and clarify the reasons why people seek support online over other more traditional outlets.