Julie S. Downs

Julie S. Downs is a Professor of Psychology and Decision Science and Associate Dean of Research at Carnegie Mellon University’s Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She directs the Center for Risk Perception and Communication, focusing on social influences in decision-making, particularly through behavioral interventions in risky domains like adolescent sexual behavior, food choices, online privacy, and vaccination. Her interdisciplinary work bridges public health, computer science, and economics.

• Education: Ph.D. in Social Psychology, Princeton University; A.B. in Psychology, UC Berkeley
• Leadership: Served on editorial boards (Psychological Science, Developmental Review), grant review panels (NIH, NSF), and institutional review boards (CMU, Disney Research)

Her research emphasizes improving communication of technical information through

• Usable privacy and security frameworks
• Calorie labeling and dietary behavior
• Sexual health interventions for adolescents
• Behavioral responses to health risk calculators
• Decision-making in critical care

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a focus on adolescent health, risk communication, and digital interventions. Awards include Platinum Remi, Aurora, and Telly Awards for her behavioral interventions’ impact.

• Scientific Contributions:
  • Behavioral interventions reducing STI risk
  • Contextualized risk communication strategies
  • Grant-funded studies (NIH, NSF)
  • Editorial leadership in psychological and public health journals
• Advising: Mentors current Ph.D. students (Aaron Balleisen, Trent Cash, Ramon Silvera Zumaran, Wenzhuo Xu) and guides alumni (Alison Butler, Samantha Horn, Stephanie Permut).
• Labs: Leads the Downs Research Lab, developing interactive tools (Seventeen Days, Your Move, Hold That Thought, READY-Girls) to address contraception, STIs, and psychological stigma.