Ashley is a fourth-year doctoral student in Prevention Science. She has a B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. in Prevention Science. Her research interests include changes in mental health, cognition, and functional connectivity in the brain over the life course. Her dissertation will investigate how exposure to stressors across the life course affect brain activity, mental health, and cognition in midlife and how social factors present in midlife serve as protective factors. The eventual goal of her research is to contribute to the development of effective strategies that improve health span and promote well-being across the lifespan. Ashley has four cats she’d love to tell you about (and show pictures). In her free time, you’ll find her reading, playing various switch games, going to the movies, and playing the guitar.