Katherine L. Fiori

Katherine L. Fiori is a Professor and Associate Dean for Foundational Psychology and Faculty Involvement at the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University. Her research focuses on social relationships, mental and physical health, and emotional development across the lifespan, with particular emphasis on aging, attachment, and social networks.

Her academic background includes a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan (2006) and a B.S. from Duke University (2000). She has conducted extensive research on topics such as the DIRe (Differential Investment of Resources) Model, crying behavior, interpersonal dependency, and marital dynamics, often using longitudinal data and international collaborations.

Dr. Fiori's recent publications reflect a strong focus on social and emotional well-being across life stages, including emerging adulthood, midlife, and old age. Her work frequently examines how social networks, attachment styles, and religious coping influence mental health, particularly during life transitions and crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also explored the role of weak ties, friendship in aging, and the impact of caregiving on young adults.

She has received numerous scientific awards, including the 2020 Top Article Award from the International Association for Relationships Research, and has been recognized for her teaching and leadership, including being selected for the APA Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology. She is also a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America.

• Top Article Award, IARR (2020)
• Scientific Teaching Fellow (2019–2020)
• APA Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology (2017)
• Fellow, Gerontological Society of America (2014)
• Fulbright Scholarship (2000–2001)

Dr. Fiori has chaired several doctoral dissertations and advised numerous undergraduate and master’s theses, particularly through Adelphi’s Emerging Scholars Program. She has secured multiple research grants, including from Adelphi’s Dean’s Research Grant and Faculty Development Grant programs, supporting projects on digital communities for older adults, couples’ social networks, and expressive emotions. She is actively involved in editorial roles, serving as Associate Editor for the Journal of Women & Aging and on the editorial boards of several prominent journals in gerontology and psychology.

Her international research collaborations include work with scholars in Germany, Australia, and the Netherlands, reflecting her global perspective on lifespan development and social relationships.