Maria Pavlova

Maria Pavlova is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Guelph, affiliated with the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences. Her research explores the intersection of pediatric pain and trauma, emphasizing family-centered approaches to prevent chronic distress.

Education:

• Postdoctoral Research Fellowship – University of Ottawa
• Predoctoral Residency in Pediatric and Child Clinical Psychology – Alberta Children’s Hospital
• PhD in Clinical Psychology – University of Calgary

Her work focuses on parent-child dynamics in processing pain memories, trauma, and sociocultural factors affecting pediatric pain outcomes. Recent studies include longitudinal analyses of pain chronicity, memory-reframing interventions, and pandemic impacts on youth with chronic pain.

Maria accepts graduate students and collaborates on clinical trials for pain management, such as vaccine injection interventions and postsurgical care. Her research spans clinical psychology, developmental neuroscience, and public health with a strong emphasis on translational applications.