Biography

Hi! I’m Amanda. Broadly speaking, I am interested in studying human connection, interaction, and relationships. For example, what are the communicative factors and behaviors that lead to feelings of closeness and affiliation during and after an interaction? What makes some interactions feel effortless, and others feel awkward? I have a particular interest in studying interactions between strangers – whether it’s a business consultation, a first date, or some simple small talk waiting in line for coffee – what is it about the things we do or say in an interaction that makes us want to talk to the stranger again, and how do these singular interactions lead to more established relationships?

Before coming to UCLA, I worked with corporate and education clients as a qualitative market researcher, and as a project manager and researcher within a medical school. From recruiting participants to facilitating focus groups to managing a $1 million+ grant, I’ve worked on just about every phase of corporate and academic research projects. In the years between Georgetown and UCLA, I also tried my hand at a side hustle, opening up a cottage bakery where I sold custom-made cake pops.

When I’m not wearing my academic hat, I am looking for any excuse to be up in the magical Sierra Nevada mountains. I also enjoy spending time with my loved ones, baking and cooking, crafting, supporting local small businesses, and listening to friends and family talk about interesting interactions they’ve had lately.

Taking a break from my computer screen atop Hawks Peak near Truckee, CA!