Assistant Professor
Department of Communication Studies
My research focuses on interpersonal processes, including conflict, social support, and coping, as they occur in the health contexts. [read more=’Read more’ less=’Read less’] Specifically, I investigate how family members manage a variety of health stressors, including chronic illness, grief and loss, and mental illness.
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For more information: Faculty Connections > Dr. Erin Basinger
Associate Professor
Department of Psychological Science
I am an experimental health psychologist who focuses on understanding the biopsychosociological antecedents of stress-related chronic disease. [read more=’Read more’ less=’Read less’] My research seeks to understand the physiological mechanisms that cause chronic diseases and how individual differences in emotion regulation ability and implementation of stress management interventions can holistically improve health and well-being. Currently, my lab, StressWAVES BRL, examines the relationships among emotional stressors, caffeine administration, and physiological markers such as heart rate variability and systemic inflammation. In addition, I developed and manage the Department of Psychological Science’s Biobehavioral Core (BBC) Lab that consists of a 500 ft2 BSL-2 wet lab, 2 data collection rooms designed for BSL-2 data collection, and office space.
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For more information: Faculty Connections > Dr. Jeanette M. Bennett
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
My research involves the cognitive, physical, and emotional health and well-being of organizational members. [read more=’Read more’ less=’Read less’] I examine the intersection between work and life, stress and well-being, burnout, organizational conflict and negotiation, and workplace mistreatment including incivility and bullying. While mostly applying a qualitative/interpretive lens to the research, I also conduct quantitative analysis. Furthermore, I study members of the public safety profession (i.e. police officers and fire fighters). Specifically, I research stress and burnout over the career length. I have examined the aging, female professional and their experiences in dealing with menopause and aging in the workplace. My research appears in Communication Monographs, Communication Studies, International Journal of Business Communication, Women & Language, Qualitative Research Reports in Communication, and Negotiations and Conflict Management Research.
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For more information: Faculty Connections > Dr. Jaime Bochantin
Professor
Department of Psychological Science
I study the development, implementation, and evaluation of culturally appropriate brief cognitive behavioral interventions that can be widely disseminated in primary care and community settings. [read more=’Read more’ less=’Read less’] In particular, my work aims to develop interventions that address the needs of individuals living in poverty and other vulnerable populations (i.e., ethnic/racial minority groups, immigrants, individuals with mental health disorders, and other marginalized groups).
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For more information: Faculty Connections > Dr. Virginia Gil-Rivas
Professor
Department of Psychological Science
I study predictors, correlates, and consequences of posttraumatic growth, i.e., the experience of positive change that can emerge from the struggle with a highly stressful event (with Lawrence Calhoun).
For more information: Faculty Connections > Dr. Rich Tedeschi
Associate Professor
Department of Psychological Science
My research and teaching emphasize the critical importance of adopting interdisciplinary, multicultural, and positive psychological/strengths-based perspectives in the science and practice of clinical health psychology. [read more=’Read more’ less=’Read less’] More specifically, our lab studies socio-cultural risk and protective factors (e.g., body image, ethnic identity, marginalization stress, weight stigma) that may contribute to and/or mitigate disparities in cardiometabolic health among culturally-diverse women during college, pregnancy, and the postpartum. I also have a strong interest in the application of integrative mind-body approaches (including the practices of yoga, mindful and intuitive eating, and self-compassion) and Health at Every Size® principles towards optimizing a more holistic experience of health and well-being in ethnically-diverse groups.
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For more information: Faculty Connections > Dr. Jennifer B. Webb