Department of Psychology

About
I am currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and a member of the Behavioral Neuroscience Program. I received my B.A. in neuroscience from Oberlin College, spent two years conducting MRI research at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, and earned my PhD from Emory University in 2010. I also completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the Center for Neuroendocrine Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. I joined Quinnipiac University in 2011.

Courses Taught
Introduction to Psychology (PS101); Introduction to Research Methods (PS307); Physiological Psychology (PS252); Drugs, Brains, and Behavior (PS357)

Research Interests
I current research how genes and early social environment interact to affect the development of social behavior. Some of this work has been supported by a NARSAD Young Investigator Award from the Brain & Behavior Foundation (2016-2018). In the past, I have examined how epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the sexual differentiation of the brain as well as how alcohol influences social behavior and bonding.

Evidence suggests a close relationship between emotional stress and vulnerability to mood disorders such as Major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorders. Mood disorders are characterized by behavioral and neurochemical adaptations, such as dysfunctional cognitive-affective processes and elevated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenaocortical (HPA) activity. The hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex are brain regions that have been shown to be neuroanatomical substrates altered in such disorders. The Betz Lab studies the behavioral and molecular underpinnings that produce structural and biochemical alterations in these vulnerable brain regions. These changes have been proposed to contribute to persistent neuroadaptive alterations that influence the development and expression of aspects of mood disorders. The Betz Lab uses rodent animal models, in particular Chronic Unpredictable Stress (CUS) and Maternal Separation, to reveal underlying molecular attributes of this devastating disorder.

Courses Taught

PS 252 (Physiological Psychology), PS 357 (Drugs, Brain and Behavior), PS 401 (Senior Capstone), PS 353 (Behavioral Neuroscience Research Methods)

About
I am currently Professor of Psychology and have a joint appointment in the Department of Medical Sciences. I am an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist. I received my B.A in psychology from the University of Minnesota-Morris. I earned my M.A. and my PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Connecticut.

Courses Taught
Introduction to Psychology (PS101); Statistics in Psychology (PS206); Introduction to Industrial-Organizational Psychology (PS265); Advanced Personnel Psychology (PS366); Advanced Organizational Psychology (PS367); Occupational Health Psychology (PS368); Senior Seminar in Psychology (PS409).

Research Interests
My research interests focus broadly on employee stress, health, and well-being, as well as on employee attitudes. For about 15 years, my primary research agenda has focused on the ways mobile technologies are impacting the boundaries around and between work and home and how the potential for blurry boundaries impacts work/personal life balance for employees.

To meet Professor LoCasto, click here

About
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology.  I received my Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology at Stony Brook University, and I taught for two years at Colgate University.  My training is in cognitive psychology, with a focus on how people understand discourse (e.g., reading, conversations).

Courses Taught
Introduction to Psychology (PS101)
Introduction to Statistics in Psychology (PS 206)
Introduction to Research Methods (PS307)
Cognitive Psychology (PS233)
Sensation and Perception (PS354)

Research Interests
My research focuses on how people understand fictional worlds.  I am currently focusing on a few specific projects (in collaboration with Professor LoCasto):

1. How do readers understand the rules in worlds that differ from the real world?  To explore this, we’re looking at how stories that violate readers’ expectations (e.g., Cookie Monster eating a salad) impact comprehension.
2. How and when does the credibility of a source impact how we evaluate new information?
3. Why do we tell stories?  Some scholars have argued that storytelling is an ability that evolved because it helped our ancestors evolve.  We are taking a critical look at evolutionary approaches to stories using research from literary theory, philosophy, anthropology, biology, psychology, and neuroscience.

About
I am currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology. My specialty area is industrial-organizational psychology. I earned a B.A as well as a M.S. in psychology from Villanova University, and then a PhD in industrial-organizational psychology from Clemson University. I completed two internships with human resources consulting firms while I was a graduate student, doing work in the areas of selection, training, and job analysis. After completing my PhD, I taught for a year at Georgia College.

Courses Taught
Introduction to Psychology (PS101); Introduction to Statistics in Psychology (PS 206; Industrial-Organizational Psychology (PS 265); Introduction to Research Methods (PS307); Advanced Research Methods (PS 308); Advanced Personnel Psychology (PS 366); Advanced Organizational Psychology (PS 367); Senior Seminar in Psychology (PS 409)

Research Interests
My research interests are in the areas of organizational justice or fairness in personnel practices as well as occupational health and employee wellness. I have conducted research on applicant perceptions of fairness as well as issues related to biases or discrimination in hiring. I have also conducted research on interpersonal mistreatment in the workplace, including incivility and cyberbullying. My future research plans are to explore positive psychological aspects of workplace health, including eustress, recovery from work, and the benefits of active workstations for employees.

About

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and a member of the Behavioral Neuroscience Program. I received my B.A. in psychology from Connecticut College, then spent two years as a research assistant in the Dyslexia Research Lab at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. I went on to earn my M.S. and Ph.D. in Neuroscience from The University of Michigan, followed by a post-doctoral research position at Yale University studying the neural circuitry of motivation and depression.

Courses Taught

Introduction to Psychology (PS101); Physiological Psychology (PS252); Drugs, Brain and Behavior (PS357)

Research Interests

My research focuses on elucidating the neural circuitry involved in complex, ‘motivated’ behaviors.  Mainly, what neural circuits underlie these behaviors, and how do alterations in these circuits lead to pathological states? One facet of many psychiatric disorders, including depression and addiction, is an abnormality in the brain’s core motivational drive. Using classic rodent behavioral models, combined with modern neuroscience techniques, such as chemogenetics, the Haight Lab seeks to understand how specific neural circuits may mediate a shift from normal to abnormal motivational states.

About
I am currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology. My formal training is in social psychology and social cognition, specifically exploring implicit and explicit attitudes. I received my B.A in psychology in social psychology from San Diego State University and my M.A and Ph.D. at Michigan Statue University.

Courses Taught
Introduction to Psychology (PS101); Advanced Research Methods (PS308); Social Psychology (PS261); Personality Psychology (PS232); Gay and Lesbian Identities (PS384)

Research Interests
My research consists of exploring the perpetuation of modern forms of prejudice and its effects. Specifically, I explore causes that contribute to the perpetuation of sexual prejudice by addressing the functions served by expressing and maintaining these attitudes. Furthermore, my research explores factors that buffer the negative effects of sexual prejudice and contribute to positive sexual orientation attitudes and sexual identity development among sexual minorities.

About
I am a Professor in the Department of Psychology. I received my B.A in psychology and my B.A. in child development from Connecticut College. I earned my Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Stony Brook University in NY. I completed an internship and a postdoctoral fellowship in the outpatient psychiatry clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, MA.

Courses Taught
Abnormal Psychology (PS272); Child Psychopathology (PS372); Applied Clinical Science Seminar (PS 391); Applied Clinical Science Fieldwork (PS393/394); Senior Seminar in Psychology (PS409); Clinical Psychology (PS371); Personality (PS232); Intimate Partner Violence Seminar (PS370); Individual and the Community (QU101); Orientation to Psychology (PS205).

Research Interests
I am interested in psychological and physical partner violence perpetrated by male and female romantic partners. I am also interested in cyber forms of abuse between romantic partners. More generally, I am interested in the development, maintenance, and effects of aggressive behavior across the lifespan.

About
I am Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology. My formal training is in psycholinguistics. I received my B.A in psychology as well as my M.A. and Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Binghamton University, SUNY and did functional neuroimaging of language research as a NSRA post-doctoral student in the neurology department at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine.

Courses Taught
Introduction to Psychology (PS101); Introduction to Research Methods (PS307); Cognitive Psychology (PS233); Sensation and Perception (PS354)

Research Interests
Currently I am really interested in how people read, construct, and understand the fictional worlds of narratives. More generally, I am interested in questions of language, cognition and the intersection of western and eastern psychology.

About
As a clinical psychologist (MS/PhD Penn State University) my interests have focused on assessing and treating individuals who have experienced reconstructive plastic surgery for traumatic injury (e.g., burn injury, automobile accident), congenital disfigurement (e.g., craniofacial disorders) or disease (e.g., breast cancer). My areas of clinical expertise include body image related problems as well as anxiety disorders.

My one-year pre-doctoral residency/internship was at the University of Virginia School of Medicine where upon completion of my training I joined the full time faculty of the Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery and the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry.  Together, my colleagues (60+) have published 65+ professional papers, three edited books on body image/plastic surgery and given 100+ professional presentations (regionally, nationally, and internationally).

Courses Taught
Introduction to Psychology (PS101); Research Methods Lab (PS307/8); Abnormal Psychology (PS 272), Special Topics in Psychology (PS 300/Compassion Training), Health Psychology (PS 325), Clinical Psychology (PS 371), Positive Psychology (PS 372), Senior Seminar (PS 409) in addition to teaching courses in the Physician Assistants Program.

Research Interests
Compassion and empathy are the two topics I currently focus on, including compassion as a skill practiced in Tibetan Buddhism and more recently in the Islamic tradition. I also have a strong interest in the Middle East with a particular focus on understanding the roots of terrorism directed at western countries, including the United States and Europe.

About
I am currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and serve as Co-Director of the Sports Studies Interdisciplinary Minor. I received my B.S. in psychology from The Ohio State University and my M.A. and Ph.D. in social-developmental psychology from Brandeis University.

Courses Taught
Advanced Research Methods (PS308); Child & Adolescent Development (PS236); Psychology of Sport & Exercise (PS300/SPS300)

Research Interests
My research has focused on aggressive behavior and its antecedents (e.g., harsh parental discipline) in children, adolescents, and emerging adults. Currently I am interested in aggressive, competitive, and cooperative behaviors in multiplayer video games and among virtual teams. I am also involved in a research project assessing “growth mindset” and self-efficacy among elementary and secondary school teachers.

About

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology. I received my B.A. in Mathematics and Psychology from The State University of New York College at Potsdam and my M.S. and Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Tufts University. Before joining the faculty at Quinnipiac, I worked for a year as a Postdoctoral Scholar for the Center for Applied Brain and Cognitive Sciences at Tufts University.

In addition to teaching and research, I enjoy making art, singing, cooking, swimming, and hiking with my husband and dog.

Courses Taught

Introduction to Psychology (PS101); Introduction to Statistics in Psychology (PS206); Cognitive Psychology (PS233)

Research Interests

I run the Cognition and Stress (CoASt) Lab here at Quinnipiac. In my research, I examine how learning, memory, and problem-solving abilities are influenced by common stressors such as having to give a high-stakes presentation. Contrary to what seems intuitive, I have found through my research that stress is not always detrimental for cognition. In fact, stress can sometimes enhance memory and may help us solve complex problems. At Quinnipiac, I continue to explore how stress influences different cognitive processes, as well as different strategies individuals can use to enhance cognition in circumstances where stress may impair it.

I am always looking for students who want to help conduct research. If you are interested in working with me, please send me an email or stop by my office!

Headshot photo courtesy of Kate Holt

About
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology. I received my B.A. in psychology at Columbia University, and my M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Prevention Science at Arizona State University. I also pursued post-doctoral training at both the University of Delaware and Swarthmore College, and am a licensed clinical psychologist in Pennsylvania.

Courses Taught
Introduction to Psychology (PS101); Introduction to Research Methods (PS307); Abnormal Psychology (PS272); Child Psychopathology (P372)

Research Interests
My research interests focus broadly on the prevention of mental health problems in young people. I have pursued research projects evaluating a number of family- and school-based preventive interventions targeting a range of populations, most recently including a depression prevention program for adolescent girls. Further, I explore risk and protective factors in adolescent and young adult mental health, such as coping efforts, cognitive styles, parenting, and rumination.

About:
I am a long-time Professor of Psychology at Quinnipiac.  I was lucky to be an undergraduate in University of Oregon’s Psychology Department. Because of exposure to pioneers like Michael Posner, Wayne Wickelgren, and Steven Keele, I got turned on to Cognitive Psychology. After receiving a B.A. in Psychology, I earned both my MA and PhD in Cognitive Psychology from University of California Davis.

Courses:
Cognitive Psychology (PS 233), History of Madness (PS 310 for undergraduates; MED 700 for School of Medicine students), Senior Seminar in Psychology (PS 401)

Research Interests:
My cognitive research focused on two main areas: prospective memory and expertise. Prospective memory concerns the use of memory to carry out future actions. In that area, I have studied PM strategies and the psychology of time. Expertise studies concern the impact of an extensive knowledge base has on other aspects of cognition. In that area, my research has examined the how expert knowledge of the skeleton influences the speed and accuracy of bone identification.

After years of teaching History of Psychology, my research focus switched in 2005 to the early history of mental hospitals. My particular interest is the everyday people in the 1700s who first became sensitized to the needs of those who were struggling with mental illness and how they mobilized their communities to help. Research in 28 archives and special collections in the US (New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut), England, Scotland, and Ireland, have allowed me to become familiar with the primary literature on many of the earliest “lunatic asylums.”

About

I am currently an Associate Professor of the Department of Psychology. I received my B.A in government from the University of Notre Dame and a B.S. in psychology from Grand Valley State University. I completed my graduate training in social psychology with Felicia Pratto at the University of Connecticut where I earned both my M.A. and Ph.D.

Courses Taught

Introduction to Statistics Psychology (PS206); Social Psychology; (PS 261); Psychology of Women (PS 262); Introduction to Research Methods (PS307); Advanced Research Methods (PS 308); Advanced Social Psychology (PS 382); Psychology and the Law (PS 383)

Research Interests

Currently I am interested in research on pedagogy wherein I formally assess the effectiveness of writing interventions aimed at improving students abilities to recognize unintentional plagiarism and to produce accurately paraphrased work specifically in regard to constructing APA Style reports. My pedagogical interests also include investigating the impact of participating in peer review on students’ perceptions of the writing process, their views of their peers as valuable resources, and their knowledge of APA Style. Throughout my career, I have been intrigued by the complexity of asymmetrical power relationships in the workplace, particularly mentoring relationships that are exploitative in nature and the influence of social identity on the perceptions of these relationships.