My research interests focus on behavioral cybersecurity and fraud prevention, with an emphasis on how human decision-making, risk communication, and cognitive processes shape vulnerability to cybercrime. I’m particularly interested in research that informs prevention, education, and public policy.
Research Interests
Behavioral Factors in Scam Victimization
I’m interested in how time pressure, emotional arousal, and information overload shape decision-making in digital environments. This research area informs how scams exploit moments of vulnerability and how education and tools can be designed to counteract these effects.
I study how cognitive load, urgency, trust, and social influence affect decision-making in scam contexts. This line of research explores why individuals across age and experience levels remain vulnerable to fraud, even when technical safeguards are in place.
Risk Communication & Fraud Prevention Messaging
My work examines how the design and framing of scam-prevention messages influence attention, memorability, and behavioral response. I’m interested in identifying communication strategies that improve public understanding of digital risk without increasing fear or confusion.
Decision-Making Under Cognitive Load
Methods & Approach
My research approach is grounded in psychological theory and emphasizes ethical responsibility and public impact. I’m particularly interested in mixed-methods research, including experimental design, survey-based studies, and qualitative analysis, to better understand how behavioral mechanisms operate in real-world cyber contexts.
Current & Future Research Directions
I’m currently developing research questions related to fraud-prevention education and the memorability of risk messaging, with an interest in expanding this work into federally aligned research contexts. Long-term, I aim to contribute research that informs public-facing prevention strategies, investigative support, and policy development.
Additional research materials are available upon request.