Lisa Best

Dr. Lisa Best is a Professor of Psychology at the University of New Brunswick's Department of Psychology, located in Saint John. She holds a PhD from the University of Maine, a master's from the University of Arkansas (Little Rock), and an undergraduate degree from York University. Her research focuses on psychosocial factors influencing wellness, particularly how medical diagnoses (e.g., cancer, spinal cord injury) interact with stable (personality traits) and modifiable factors (resilience, mindfulness) to affect health outcomes. She actively engages graduate students in this work.

Her research spans health psychology, diagrammatic reasoning, and learning technology. Notable contributions include studies on graphical perception in scientific communication and the effectiveness of clickers in education. She has secured numerous grants for her research.

• Education:
• PhD, Psychology, University of Maine
• MA, Psychology, University of Arkansas (Little Rock)
• Bachelor's Degree, York University

Her work emphasizes practical strategies to improve both psychological and physical health outcomes post-disease or injury. Recent publications highlight themes like psychological flexibility in cancer survivors and LGBTQ+ healthcare access.

• Awards: Harrison McCain Young Scholar's Award (2008)

Dr. Best collaborates on grants and supervises graduate students, contributing to interdisciplinary teams. Her lab's focus includes informal science education and geopark visitor engagement, reflecting her broader interest in science communication.