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Program News 2 HPSY Student/Faculty 3-9 Achievements New HPSY Doctoral 10-11 Students Announcements 12 & Reminders Community Concentration 9 Updates For additional information, please visit our website: http://healthpsych.uncc.edu/ Health Psychology Program Newsletter Volume 8, Issue 1, November 2014 http://www.bigfoto.com

Health Psychology Program Newsletter Final Fall...Congratulations to Dr. Jannette Bennett for winning the 2014 Junior Investigator Academy Award from the Health Academy! Congratulations

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Page 1: Health Psychology Program Newsletter Final Fall...Congratulations to Dr. Jannette Bennett for winning the 2014 Junior Investigator Academy Award from the Health Academy! Congratulations

Program News 2

HPSY Student/Faculty 3-9

Achievements

New HPSY Doctoral 10-11

Students

Announcements 12

& Reminders

Community Concentration 9

Updates

For additional information, please visit our website: http://healthpsych.uncc.edu/

Health Psychology Program Newsletter

Volume 8, Issue 1, November 2014

http://www.bigfoto.com

Page 2: Health Psychology Program Newsletter Final Fall...Congratulations to Dr. Jannette Bennett for winning the 2014 Junior Investigator Academy Award from the Health Academy! Congratulations

2

From the Program Director

Virginia Gil-Rivas, Ph. D.

It is hard to believe that we are about to complete another successful semester! As you will see in the next few

pages, students and faculty in the Health Psychology Program have been extremely busy and productive over the

past few months. In addition, this semester we were fortunate to host two excellent speakers, Dr. David Sbarra

from the University of Arizona, and Dr. Christian Waugh from Wake Forest University. We will be hosting

other excellent researchers in the spring, so stayed tuned for additional information.

Early next spring we will be recruiting the next cohort of Health Psychology students so I want to encourage

faculty and students to participate in the process of selecting future members of our program.

Welcome to new program faculty!

Dr. Christine Elnistky, an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing, has joined our program as an auxiliary

faculty member. Dr. Elnitsky’s program of research focuses on health systems and other factors influencing

military affiliated populations (i.e., service members, veterans, and their families). In particular, her work has

examined reintegration difficulties among individuals with behavioral and functional difficulties.

Dr. Julian Montoro-Rodriguez is the Director of the Gerontology Program and joined the program as an

auxiliary faculty member. Dr. Montoro-Rodriguez is a sociologist by training and his teaching and research have

focused on aging, health, human development, and family studies.

Welcome to new members of the Program’s Advisory Committee!

Dr. Laura Armstrong (clinical) – Assistant Professor of Psychology.

Dr. Joan Carman (interdisciplinary) – Associate Professor, MA of Public Administration, Department of

Political Science.

Welcome to new doctoral students!

General program: Kimberly Papay (Penn State University)

Clinical program: Paisley Lewis (Davidson College), Olivia Riffle (Washington & Lee University), Kirk

Szczepkowski (Western Michigan University), Jessica Taylor (University of North Carolina, Charlotte), and

Alyssa Vela (MA, University of North Carolina, Charlotte).

Program News

Page 3: Health Psychology Program Newsletter Final Fall...Congratulations to Dr. Jannette Bennett for winning the 2014 Junior Investigator Academy Award from the Health Academy! Congratulations

Awards and Honors:

Student Accomplishments – Congratulations!

The 2013-2014 Health Psychology Student Award recipients:

Kate Strater Hogan for being awarded the 2013-2014 Health Psychology Student Researcher

Maysa DeSousa for being awarded the 2013-2014 Student Instructor

Elizabeth Addington for being awarded the 2013-2014 Student Teaching Assistant

Program Faculty

Congratulations to Dr. Jannette Bennett for winning the 2014 Junior Investigator Academy Award from the

Health Academy!

Congratulations to Dr. Dena Shenk (Gerontology and Anthropology) for being the recipient of the 2014 Evelyn

Berger Educator and Advocate Award presented annually by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Aging Coalition

(CMAC). The Evelyn Berger award honors an individual or organization for contributions made to support and

address older adult issues. She was nominated by former students who are now active in CMAC, along with

colleagues in the aging network. The award was presented on September 8.

Programmatic milestones:

Graduates: Emalee Quickel, clinical concentration (Now an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Coastal

Carolina University!).

Dissertation completed: Cassie Lindstrom.

Dissertation Proposed: Elizabeth Addington (clinical); Maysa DeSousa (general); Laura Lovato (clinical);

Hannah Peach (general); Noy Phimphasone (clinical); Michelle Rodriguez-Diaz (clinical); Tamara Scott

(clinical).

Comprehensive Project: Elizabeth Addington (clinical); Mallory Fiery (general); Abigail Hardin (clinical); Noy

Phimphasone (clinical); Tamara Scott (clinical).

Second Year Project: Ann Marie Porter (general); Christine Smith (clinical).

Completed Clinical Internship: Cassie Lindstrom (Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI); Emalee Quickel

(Wisconsin Department of Corrections, WI).

Congratulations to Tom LaPorte for earning his Masters in Clinical and Community Psychology

Faculty and Student Accomplishments

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Other awards

Congratulations to Ana Orejuela and Cara Blevins, along with faculty members Drs. Arnie Cann, Rich

Tedeschi, and Lawrence Calhoun, on being awarded the Division 56 Outstanding Poster Award at the annual

meeting of the American Psychological Association!

Congratulations to Hannah Peach for winning the 2014 Student Paper Academy Award from the Health

Academy!

Congratulations to Taylor Bishop Scott who was selected as one of 10 participants at the International Society

for Child Indicators Mentoring Workshop on Child Well-being. She was selected from over 80 Ph.D. student,

graduate, and post-doctoral applicants!

Congratulations to Cara Blevins who was awarded a certificate of recognition for her outstanding service and

commitment to graduate education at UNCC from the Center for Graduate Life!

Publications:

†Cann, A., & Collette, C. (2014). Sense of humor, stable affect, and psychological well-being. Europe’s Journal

of Psychology, 10, 464-479.

†Cann, A., & Kuiper, N. A. (2014). Research on the role of humor in well-being and health. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 10(3), 412-428.

†Cann, A., & Matson, C. (2014). Sense of humor and social desirability: Understanding how humor styles are

perceived. Personality and Individual Differences, 66, 176-180.

Daye, C. A., †Webb, J. B., & *Jafari, N. (2014). Exploring self-compassion as a refuge against recalling the

body-related shaming of caregiver eating messages on dimensions of objectified body consciousness in

college women. Body Image, 11, 547-556. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.08.001

†Demakis, G. J., Rimland, C., †Reeve, C.L., & Ward, J. (in press). Intelligence and psychopathy do not

influence malingering. Applied Neuropsychology.

Garfin, D. R., Silver, R.C., †Gil-Rivas, V., Guzmán Piña, Murphy, M. J., Cova, F., Rincon, P. P., Squicciarini

Navarro A. M., George Lara, M., María Paz Guzmán Llona (2014). Children’s reactions to the 2010

Chilean Earthquake: The role of trauma exposure, family context and school-based mental health

programming. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy.

† denotes HPSY faculty/auxiliary faculty * denotes HPSY doctoral student

†Haber, M.G., *LaPorte, T.M., *Knight, N. (in press). Transition services for youth at risk and with

current mental health needs: A developmental-ecological framework. In Gulotta, T.P. (Ed.), Handbook of Adolescent Behavioral Problems. New York: Spring Science + Business Media.

†Hopcroft, Rosemary L. and David O. Martin. 2014. “The Primary Parental Investment in Children in the

Contemporary U.S. is Education: Testing the Trivers-Willard Hypothesis of Parental Investment.”

Page 5: Health Psychology Program Newsletter Final Fall...Congratulations to Dr. Jannette Bennett for winning the 2014 Junior Investigator Academy Award from the Health Academy! Congratulations

Human Nature 25, 2: 235-250.

Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., †Bennett, J. M., Andridge, R. R., Peng, J., Shapiro, C. L., Malarkey, W. B., Emery, C.

F., Layman, R. Mrozek, E. E., & Glaser, R. (2014). Yoga’s impact on inflammation, mood, and fatigue in

breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 32 (10), 1040-

1049. doi: JCO.2013.51.8860 PMID: 24470004

†Kilmer, R.P., †Gil-Rivas, V., Griese, B., Hardy, S.J., Hafstad, G.S., & Alisic, E. (2014). Posttraumatic growth in

children and youth: Clinical implications of an emerging research literature. American Journal of

Orthopsychiatry, 84, 506-518.

Klein, L. C., Whetzel, C. A., †Bennett, J. M., Ritter, F. E., Nater, U. M., & Schoelles, M. (2014). Caffeine

administration does not alter salivary α-amylase activity in young male daily caffeine consumers. BMC Research Notes, 7(1), 30. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-30. PMID: 24410993

*LaPorte, T.M., Jackson-Diop, D., †Haber, M.G., Holt, B. (2014). Mental health systems transformation

through participatory evaluation and action: The transition-age Youth Appreciative Inquiry/Photovoice

(“YAP”) project, Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice, 4(4).

*LaPorte, T. M., †Haber, M. G., & Malloy, J. M. (2014). Wraparound team composition, youth self-

determination, and youth satisfaction in transition services. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services &

Research, doi:10.1007/s11414-014-9434-7

*Lyerly, J, & †Reeve, C. L. (in press). Evaluating the unique effects of cognitive ability and parental

socioeconomic status on adult dietary behaviors and receipt of preventive health services. Intelligence.

*Peach, H., †Gaultney, J., & †Reeve, C. L. (2014). Sleep characteristics, body mass index, and risk for

hypertension in young adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 1-14.

*Peach, H., *Lyerly, J, & †Reeve, C. L. (2014). Replication of the Jensen Effect on dysgenic fertility: An

analysis using a large sample of American youth. Personality and Individual Differences, 71, 56-59.

†Reeve, C.L., Bonaccio, S., & *Winford, E. (2014). Cognitive ability, exam-related emotions and exam

performance: A field study in a college setting. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 39(2), 124-133.

†Reeve, C.L., & *Basalik, D. (2014). Is health literacy an example of construct proliferation? A conceptual

& empirical evaluation of its redundancy with general cognitive ability. Intelligence, 44, 93-102.

†Scheid, T.L. (2014). Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Care: Community Based Strategies. London, UK:

Routledge.

†Tedeschi, R. G, *Addington, E., †Cann, A., & †Calhoun, L. G. (2014). Post-traumatic growth:

Some needed corrections and reminders. European Journal of Personality, 28, 350-351.

†Webb, J. B., Butler-Ajibade, P., & Robinson, S. A. (2014). Considering an affect regulation framework for

examining the association between body dissatisfaction and positive body image in Black older

adolescent females: Does body mass index matter? Body Image, 11, 426-437. doi:

10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.07.002

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Presentations:

*Addington, E. L., †Calhoun, L. G., †Cann, A., †Tedeschi, R. G., Furr, S., Bensen, J. T. ... & Mohler, J. L. (2014, August). Religious participation predicts prostate cancer survivors' quality of life.

Poster presented at the 122nd American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington,

DC.

*Addington, E. L., Matson, C., *Blevins, C. L., †Calhoun, L. G., & †Cann, A. (2014, August). Challenging and constructing worldviews in response to trauma. Poster presented at the 122nd

American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, DC.

Billingsley, J., *Tynan, J.M., Cook, J.R., & Kilmer, R.P. (2014, October). The Indirect Influence of Parent

Participation on Pre-Kindergarten Children’s Social-Emotional Functioning and Language Development

In J.M. Tynan (Chair), Relationships among socio-demographic characteristics, parent perceptions and

involvement, and student functioning in families involved in pre-kindergarten. Symposium conducted at

the Southeastern Ecological Conference, McCormick, SC.

*Bishop, J.T., *Abraczinskas, M., *Johnson, V.A., †Cook, J.R., †Kilmer, R.P., & Daniels, E.N. (2014).

Building capacity in child welfare to screen for mental health challenges: Lessons learned. Progress in

Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action,8, 187-195. DOI:

10.1353/cpr.2014.0024.

*Blevins, C.L. & *Sagui, S. Examining the Stress-Buffering Effects of Positive Affect on Levels of

Inflammation: Evidence from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. (21014). Poster to

be presented at the 16th Annual Meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Long

Beach, CA.

Bonaccio, S., †Reeve, C. L., & *Lyerly, J. E. (2014, June). Individual differences in academic entitlement:

Ties to achievement-related emotions, personality, and exam performance. Paper presented at The

Canadian Psychological Association's 75th

Annual Convention, Vancouver, Canada.

Daye, C. A., †Webb, J. B., & *Jafari, N. (2014). Examining self-compassion as a buffer in the link between caregiver eating messages and dimensions of objectified body consciousness in college women. Poster

presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 35th

Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions,

Philadelphia, PA.

*De Sousa, M., †Peterman, A., & †Reeve, C.L. (2014). Theory of Planned Behavior constructs mediate the relationship between SES-related scarcity and sugar consumption. Society for Behavioral

Medicine 35th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Derry, H. M., Jaremka, L. M., †Bennett, J. M., Peng, J., Andridge, R. R. … Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (2014). Yoga

and self-reported cognitive problems in breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Presented

at the annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society, San Francisco, CA. Psychosomatic Medicine, 76(3), A-3.

†Gil-Rivas, V., & †Kilmer, R. P. (2014). Caregiving and children’s adjustment following trauma: Practice

Implications. Oral presentation at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress

Page 7: Health Psychology Program Newsletter Final Fall...Congratulations to Dr. Jannette Bennett for winning the 2014 Junior Investigator Academy Award from the Health Academy! Congratulations

Studies, Miami, FL.

*Hardin, A. S., †Webb, J. B., †Reeve, C. L., & †Coffman, M. (April, 2014). Beyond social facilitation: Predicting palatable food intake in first-year college women. Poster presented at the 35

th

Annual Meeting

and Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.

†Hopcroft, R. L. (May 2014). Sex differences in the relationship between status and number of offspring in

the contemporary U.S. Paper presented at the 8th

Annual California Workshop on Evolutionary Social

Science, San Luis Obispo, CA.

†Hopcroft, R. L. (August 2014). Sex differences in the relationship between status and number of offspring

in the contemporary U.S. Paper presented at the Annual Meetings of the American Sociological

Association, San Francisco, CA.

†Hopcroft, R.L., †Reeve, C.L., & *Lyerly, J. (2014). Sex differences in the relationship between status offspring in the contemporary U.S. Paper presented at the Annual Meetings of the American

Sociological Association San Francisco, CA.

†Hopcroft, R.L., †Reeve, C.L., & *Lyerly, J. (2014). Sex differences in the relationship between status offspring in the contemporary U.S. Paper presented at the 8

th

Annual California Workshop on

Evolutionary Social Science, San Luis Obispo, CA..

Hussain, M. H., Jaremka, L. M., †Bennett, J. M., Fagundes, C. P., Malarkey, W. B., Emery, C. F., &

Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (2014). Syndromal depression, intrusive thoughts, and heart rate variability among

cancer survivors. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society, San

Francisco, CA. Psychosomatic Medicine, 76(3), A-99.

Jarecke, M. J. & †Bennett, J. M. (2014 March). Impaired Immune Function: Glucocorticoid Resistance may be an Underlying Mechanism for Chronic Diseases. Presented at the Central Carolinas Conference in

Psychology, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC.

†Kilmer, R.P.,& †Gil-Rivas, V. (2014). Posttraumatic growth in children and youth: Findings today and unanswered questions. Oral presentation at the annual meeting of the International Society for

Traumatic Stress Studies, Miami, FL.

*LaPorte, T.M., Heeney, M.D., †Haber, M.G., (October, 2013). Adult Support at School, at Home and Efforts to Coordinate the Two as Predictors of High School Graduation for Youth with Emotional Disturbances. Poster presented at the Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood 6

th

Biennial

Conference, Chicago, IL.

*LaPorte, T.M., Jackson-Diop, D., Haber, M.G., Holt, B. (March, 2014). Evaluation & Social Action with

Transition-age Youth with Emotional & Behavioral Challenges: A North Carolina Case Study and Discussion. Discussion hour presented at the Annual Children’s Mental health Research & Policy

Conference, Tampa, FL.

*LaPorte, T.M., *Knight, N., Jackson-Diop, D., †Haber, M.G., Holt, B. (March, 2014). Social Action through Photovoice with Transition-age Youth in North Carolina. Paper presented at the Annual

Children’s Mental Health Research & Policy Conference, Tampa, FL.

† denotes HPSY faculty/auxiliary faculty * denotes HPSY doctoral student

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*LaPorte, T.M., Knight, N.M., & Haber, M.G. (2014). Innovative session: Online videography as a

transformative tool in evaluation of non-traditional service organiziations. Innovative session presented at

the Society for Community Research and Action Regional Conference, McCormick, SC.

*Larson, J., *Scott, J.T., Kilmer, R.P., & Cook, J.R. (2014, October). Pre-K academic achievement & home

neighborhood characteristics: Nature exposure and residential density. In J.M. Tynan (Chair),

Relationships among socio-demographic characteristics, parent perceptions and involvement, and

student functioning in families involved in pre-kindergarten. Symposium conducted at the Southeastern

Ecological Conference, McCormick, SC.

*Lyerly, J. & †Reeve, C.L. (2014). Development of a measure of food choice values. Paper presented at the

26th

Annual Association for Psychological Science Convention, San Francisco, CA.

*Lyerly, J. & †Reeve, C.L. (2014). Effects of cognitive ability and adolescent SES on adult dietary behaviors. Paper presented at the 26

th

Annual Association for Psychological Science Convention, San

Francisco, CA.

Matson, C.M., *Scott, J.T., *Tynan, J.M., Kilmer, R.P., & Cook, J.R. (2014, October). Understanding the role

of ethnicity and home language for Hispanic and non-Hispanic preschoolers. In J.M. Tynan (Chair),

Relationships among socio-demographic characteristics, parent perceptions and involvement, and

student functioning in families involved in pre-kindergarten. Symposium conducted at the Southeastern

Ecological Conference, McCormick, SC.

*Mihalski, J., *Bishop Scott, J.T., *Strater Hogan, K., †Cook, J.R., & †Kilmer, R.P. (2014).

Examining the relationship between teachers' behaviors and students' socio-emotional competencies.

Presented at Southeastern Ecological Conference at McCormick, SC.

Mills, M. & †Bennett, J. M. (2014 April). Depression in college students: A comparison between freshmen and first year transfer students. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, The University of

North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC.

*Orejuela, A.I., *Blevins, C. L., Kunberger-Striepe, C., †Cann, A., †Tedeschi, R. G., &

†Calhoun, L. G. (2014, August). The relationship of alexithymia to posttraumatic growth and distress. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

Patry, J. M., *Burgess, C. A., *LaPorte, T. M., & †Haber, M. G. (October, 2013). The Relationship

between Adult Support at School and Home and Efforts to Coordinate the Two as Predictors of High School Graduation for Youth with Emotional Disturbances. Poster presented at the Society for the Study

of Emerging Adulthood 6th

Biennial Conference, Chicago, IL.

*Taylor, J. J., & †Webb, J. B. (2014). Self-compassion as a buffer against internalization of media appearance ideals. Paper presented at the 2014 UNC Charlotte Undergraduate Research Conference,

Charlotte, NC. *Awarded the Atkins Library Undergraduate Research Award for the Social Sciences &

Education; Received the 2nd

Place UNC Charlotte Honors College Non-STEM Undergraduate Research

Award.*

*Tynan, J.M. (Chair). (2014, October). Relationships among socio-demographic characteristics, parent

Page 9: Health Psychology Program Newsletter Final Fall...Congratulations to Dr. Jannette Bennett for winning the 2014 Junior Investigator Academy Award from the Health Academy! Congratulations

perceptions and involvement, and student functioning in families involved in pre-kindergarten.

Symposium conducted at the Southeastern Ecological Conference, McCormick, SC.

*Tynan, J.M., †Cook, J.R., & †Kilmer, R.P. (2014, October). Understanding the role of home language

for parent participation in pre-k: An assessment of English and Spanish speaking families. In J.M.Tynan

(Chair), Relationships among socio-demographic characteristics, parent perceptions and involvement, and student functioning in families involved in pre-kindergarten. Symposium conducted at the

Southeastern Ecological Conference, McCormick, SC.

Woods, S. J., Hall, R. J., †Bennett, J. M., & Page, G.G. (2014 October). Trajectories of change and predictors of AM-PM cortisol and DHEA Patterns in women experiencing intimate partner violence. Presented at the annual meeting of the Academy on Violence and Abuse, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Community Psychology Concentration Updates:

On October 10-11, 2014, 5 community health psychology doctoral students, one MA clinical-community

student, 12 undergraduates, two community faculty, and our visiting Fullbright Research Fellow attended the

2014 Ecological-Community Psychology (ECO) Conference at the Hickory Knob State Resort Park in South

Carolina. The doctoral students served as mentors for undergraduate members of the Community Psychology

Learning Community at UNCC.

This year we have a visiting Fullbright Scholar from Ukraine, Serhii Volevakha, who is an associate professor of

psychology at the Сhernihiv National Pedagogical University. Hosted by Jim Cook, he is here to learn about

community psychology and to study citizen participation and empowerment and the development of democratic

principles. Serhii has done work examining the ecological and psychological factors affecting quality of life after

the Chernobyl nuclear power accident. Serhii, his wife, Ira, and daughter, Nastya, are living in Harrisburg.

- Jim Cook, Ph.D., Community Program Chair

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Paisley Lewis Concentration: Clinical

Advisor: Dr. Faust

Research Interests: Posttraumatic growth and cross-

cultural considerations.

About Me: I’m a South Carolina native and

Francophile with a passion for traveling off the

beaten path. I enjoy hiking, journaling, running,

reading, and experimenting with vegan desserts.

Kimberly Papay Concentration: General

Advisor: Dr. Bennett

Research Interests: Physiological effects of stress;

integrative health; mindfulness; meditation.

About Me: I moved here from the suburbs of

Philadelphia, and although I miss Wawa hoagies

and “wooder ice,” I’m loving life in Charlotte. I

enjoy hiking, wine festivals, ballroom dancing, and

hosting get-togethers for family and friends. I’m a

die-hard Penn State football fan and can probably

be found sporting my blue and white jersey around

campus during football season. I’m so excited to be

pursuing graduate work at UNCC, and I look

forward to experiencing all North Carolina has to

offer!

Olivia Riffle Concentration: Clinical

Advisor: Dr. Tedeschi

Research Interests: Posttraumatic growth as it relates

to personal narrative, prosocial behavior, sense of

calling/purpose, and stress reactivity and

management.

About Me: I'm originally from the Cleveland, OH

area, but my favorite place to be is in the Blue Ridge

mountains. I enjoy running, hiking, yoga, singing,

traveling, and trying new restaurants. I am happy to

be putting down roots in Charlotte with my

wonderful boyfriend and look forward to the road

ahead!

New Health Psychology Doctoral Students

Page 11: Health Psychology Program Newsletter Final Fall...Congratulations to Dr. Jannette Bennett for winning the 2014 Junior Investigator Academy Award from the Health Academy! Congratulations

Kirk Szczepkowski Concentration: Clinical

Advisor: Dr. Demakis

Research Interests: Neuropsychology.

and assessment, particularly with older adults

About Me: I'm originally from Michigan and a huge

Detroit sports fan. Growing up in metro Detroit

made me a little bit of a gearhead, primarily with

Mustangs. I also love to get outside whether I'm on

my bike or on the lake.

Jessica Taylor Concentration: Clinical

Advisors: Drs. Webb and Canevello

Research Interests: Self-Compassion, Emotion

Regulation, Effectiveness-Based Research,

Disordered Eating-Related Processes and Social

Mentality Theory.

About Me: When I’m not studying I’m playing

chase with my son or cuddling on the couch with

my husband. The few moments when I can actually

do something for myself I love learning new fun

stuff like rock climbing or whitewater rafting. I also

love to read Fantasy and Science Fiction novels aka.

Harry Potter and Star Trek.

Alyssa Vela Concentration: Clinical

Advisor: Dr. Cachelin

Research Interests: Eating behaviors,

Latinas, Culture and acculturation, Diabetes,

Mindfulness.

About Me: I moved to Charlotte two years ago from

my beloved home state of Michigan to complete a

master's degree here at UNC Charlotte. I am very

happy to still be around, especially now that my

fiancé and dog Paisley live here! I enjoy practicing

yoga, walking around the neighborhood, visiting all

of the farmer's markets around town, and cooking

and eating all types of food.

Page 12: Health Psychology Program Newsletter Final Fall...Congratulations to Dr. Jannette Bennett for winning the 2014 Junior Investigator Academy Award from the Health Academy! Congratulations

Announcements and Upcoming Events:

Dissertation Defense Announcement Template: In an effort to standardize the way in which dissertation

defenses are announced to the campus, the Graduate School introduces a new one-stop-template for

announcements: http://graduateschool.uncc.edu/dissertation-defense-announcements . Now information

can be entered one time, which will automatically post to the web and be shared with Academic Affairs.

No need to send multiple emails in order to get announcements published.

The Health Academy is actively seeking faculty and graduate students to serve on their Executive

Board...We really need folks from CLAS to keep the Health Academy truly interdisciplinary in focus!

Important Reminders:

If you are interested in having your poster displayed in the Health Psychology Research hallway or if you

would like to update any information on the Health Psychology webpage, please email Christine Smith

at [email protected]

Thank you for your interest in our Health Psychology Program newsletter. If you have any information you

would like to include in future newsletters, or if you would like to be added to our

e-mail list, please contact Christine Smith at [email protected]

Announcements and Reminders