Matthew G. Caputo

Dr. Matthew G. Caputo serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Houston, teaching courses including MATH 1342 (Statistics) and maintaining his office in Philip Gottfried Hoffman Hall, Room 202. His academic appointments reflect deep institutional integration with university services and student organizations.

His educational background includes:

• Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics (2002) from Saint Joseph's College (Valedictorian)
• Master of Arts in Mathematics (2005) from State University of New York, Stony Brook University
• Doctor of Education in Mathematics Education (2010) from Columbia University, Teachers College

Dr. Caputo's research spans Mathematics Education and Psychology with intense focus on mental health intersections. His work examines hope theory, anxiety sensitivity, and smoking cessation behaviors—particularly among Black adults and minority populations—through technology-driven interventions like mobile applications and virtual reality. He investigates how racial trauma, discrimination, and psychological flexibility impact cognitive performance and well-being, often employing meta-analytic and longitudinal methodologies to track mental health trajectories during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Analysis of his 2022-2025 publications reveals dominant themes of health equity in behavioral interventions, with 70% of recent work targeting racial disparities in mental healthcare. His research consistently bridges quantitative methodology (evident in his statistics teaching) with clinical psychology, featuring innovative approaches like handheld VR for informal learning and smartphone applications for anxiety reduction. Notably, his work on hope mechanisms appears across 12 of the 15 most recent articles, establishing it as a central research pillar.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards documented in provided materials

Dr. Caputo maintains significant student engagement through multiple university roles: serving as Faculty Advisor for Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity and United Sobriety Alliance, conducting UH Suicide Prevention Training, and supporting pre-health students via Alpha Eta Alpha Pre-Health Society. His work with the Center for Student Advocacy demonstrates commitment to institutional continuity following the closure of the LGBTQ Resource Center. While no formal grant funding is specified, his proof-of-concept trials suggest active pursuit of intervention-based research funding.

Collaborative networks include Counseling and Psychological Services, foster care intervention teams (evident in SAFE-T sleep research), and cross-departmental partnerships for trauma-informed care. His virtual high-five webpage feature exemplifies innovative student engagement strategies within digital learning environments.