Pendry Human Animal Interaction Lab Dr. Patricia Pendry’s takes a biobehavioral approach towards examining effects of human animal interaction (HAI) on human and animal functioning and wellbeing. Her research examines 1) the causal effects of animal assisted interventions (AAIs) in preventing and/or reducing the physiological ramifications of social and academic stress in children, youth and […]
Dr. Sterling McPherson is the current director of the Program of Excellence in Addictions Research (PEAR). This transdisciplinary addiction science program ranges in disciplinary representation from health policy and economics to experimental pharmacotherapeutics and human toxicology.…
The Healthy Aging Lab, led by Dr. Cory Bolkan, focuses on adult development and healthy aging by promoting optimal physical health (e.g., preventing/managing chronic illness), mental health (e.g., addressing depression, grief), and social health (e.g., engagement with family and friends). The goals of this work are to encourage healthy behaviors across the lifespan, implement evidence-based […]
The Healthy Emotional Development (HED) Lab is a dynamic group of undergraduate and graduate student research scientists, led by Dr. Sara Waters. We investigate young children’s emotions, stress, and coping in the context of the…
As a part of multi-state longitudinal research, Dr. Yoshie Sano is examining family well-being and functioning of rural low-income families. This 10-year-project takes a multidisciplinary approach and includes collaborators from 17 states. The project covers a wide variety of topics including childcare, community, economic well-being, ethnicity, family structure, food security, housing, parenting, physical and mental health, public […]
Dr. Marcelo Diversi has been conducting ethnographic research with youth growing up in oppressive developmental contexts. He has worked with Brazilian street youth and Latino undocumented immigrant youth and families in northern Utah, and is currently working with runaway and homeless youth in Southwest Washington. Dr. Diversi’s research focuses on narratives of identity, educational views and practices, […]
Dr. Rodgers’ research explores factors within the individual, family, and non-family environments related to adolescent health and sexual risk behaviors. Current research with Dr. Stacy Hust (College of Communication) has two related tracks. One focuses on media as a cultural context that can influence adolescent and emerging adults’ sense of self, understanding of romantic relationships, and […]