Jennifer Howell

Jennifer Howell is an Associate Professor of Health Psychology at the University of California, Merced, affiliated with the School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Arts and the Department of Psychological Sciences. Her research focuses on health-related decision-making, stress management, implicit associations, and information avoidance. She leads the MESH (Motivation, Emotion, and Social Health) Lab and has a dedicated office (SSM 302A).

Dr. Howell's work examines how psychological factors influence health behaviors during uncertain periods, such as healthcare wait times or pandemics. Her studies often involve large-scale analyses and randomized controlled trials to evaluate interventions like mindfulness practices. She explores topics ranging from vaccine hesitancy to cross-cultural dating behaviors, emphasizing methodological rigor and real-world applicability.

Her research has been published in top-tier journals across psychology, health sciences, and social sciences. She actively mentors undergraduate students, fostering their participation in co-authored publications. Her lab website (http://www.jenniferlhowell.com/) hosts materials for studies and collaborations.