Lisa L. M. Welling

Lisa L. M. Welling is a Full Professor in the Department of Psychology at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She joined the faculty in 2012 and was promoted to Full Professor in 2023 after receiving tenure in 2017. Dr. Welling directs the Welling Research Lab, which focuses on evolutionary approaches to human mating behavior, hormonal influences on person perception, and individual differences in mate preferences.

Dr. Welling earned her PhD from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland in 2008. Her research primarily investigates how hormonal and psychological factors influence human mate preferences and behavior, including menstrual cycle effects, hormonal contraceptive use, and other sources of hormonal variation. She has secured funding from prestigious organizations including NSERC (Canada), ESRC (UK), ORSAS (UK), and AIB (USA).

Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on evolutionary perspectives on human mating behavior, with particular attention to hormonal influences on mate choice, relationship dynamics, and sexual behavior. The research spans multiple subfields including behavioral endocrinology, evolutionary psychology, and relationship science, with applications to understanding human sexuality, reproductive health, and interpersonal relationships.

• Editorial Board, Human Nature (2025)
• Elected Secretary/Archivist for Human Behavior and Evolution Society (2021-2025)
• Order of the Golden Plume recipient (2025)
• Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award (2018)
• New Investigator Research Excellence Award (2015)

Dr. Welling has successfully mentored numerous graduate students through their MS and PhD programs, many of whom have gone on to prestigious academic and research positions. She has secured multiple research grants including the Oakland University Research Excellence Fund grant ($15,000) to investigate human sperm competition and a Faculty Research Fellowship ($10,000) to study testosterone increases and mate preferences. Her lab collaborates with institutions including the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine.

The Welling Research Lab maintains active research programs in evolutionary psychology and behavioral endocrinology, with ongoing projects examining hormonal influences on mate choice, relationship dynamics, and sexual behavior. The lab has established partnerships with medical researchers to investigate connections between hormonal factors and clinical conditions including ADHD and chronic fatigue syndrome.