Tess serves as Research Project Director for Evergreen, an innovative Dartmouth undergraduate digital platform that integrates evidence-based wellness interventions, generative AI, and passive sensing data to support student flourishing. Developed in collaboration with more than 250 Dartmouth undergraduates, the platform is grounded in the student voice and designed to reflect the unique experiences and needs of the Dartmouth student journey.

Tess previously served as a research coordinator with Nicholas Jacobson on the Tracking Depression Study, which used passive sensing and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data to predict short-term changes in individuals’ depressive symptoms. Prior to joining the Center for Technology and Behavioral Health (CTBH), she conducted research on the evolution of the HIV genome in the brain and its influence on molecular-level changes in the brain. Her work included identifying signaling pathways shared by HIV-1 and Glioblastoma, the most common primary brain tumor in adults, contributing to a deeper understanding of overlapping mechanisms in infectious disease and neuro-oncology.

She has also worked in the field of science education developing technology-based STEM programs for K-12 teachers and students. As a Latina, she is especially interested in delivering quality educational resources to underserved communities. Her work in education has spanned from creating hands-on teaching programs in astronomy for use in community centers throughout Boston, to supporting teachers in rural areas of Peru in their use of technology to learn from and collaborate with one another.

Passionate about using her skills in psychology, education, and technology to improve people’s lives, Tess is committed to working closely with the Dartmouth community to develop and implement research-based technology that supports the work and wellbeing of students, faculty, and staff. She looks forward to continuing to expand this work and make a meaningful impact at Dartmouth.

Tess’s Google Scholar page