Amanda is a doctoral student in the Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences program at the University of British Columbia, supervised by Dr. Gillian Hanley and Dr. Tim Oberlander. Her research focuses on the long-term developmental impacts of maternal inflammatory conditions and the use of biologics and glucocorticoids during pregnancy. Building on her MSc in Population and Public Health, where she examined perinatal antibiotic use and autism spectrum disorder through a gut-brain axis lens, Amanda’s doctoral work investigates how maternal infections and autoimmune diseases influence autism diagnoses and developmental vulnerability at kindergarten. Amanda is deeply motivated to conduct research that harnesses big data and rigorous epidemiologic methods to support informed decision-making about medication use in pregnancy and to advance understanding of the developmental origins of neurodevelopmental conditions. Her goal is to help identify at-risk children early and promote timely interventions and access to supports. Outside of her research, Amanda finds balance through art and nature. She enjoys watercolour painting, exploring photography while hiking and camping, and spending time with family and friends outdoors, especially watching the sunset.