Matthew Zawadzki

Matthew Zawadzki is an Associate Professor of Health Psychology at the University of California, Merced, affiliated with the Psychological Sciences department within the School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Arts. He directs the Stress and Health Lab, focusing on mechanisms linking stress, perseverative cognitions, and health outcomes. His work emphasizes translating laboratory findings to real-world settings using methodologies like Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). Key research areas include developing psychosocial interventions to improve long-term health and well-being, particularly through leveraging self-selected leisure activities and digital tools like mindfulness apps. Dr. Zawadzki’s lab is located in the Social Sciences & Management Building (SSM 359B), and he actively engages in community-engaged research to address health equity issues. His recent work explores the efficacy of interventions targeting stress, sleep, and cardiovascular health, with a focus on marginalized populations such as Latinx emerging adults and young caregivers.

Education details are not explicitly provided, but his academic rank implies a PhD in a related field. Research interests span interdisciplinary topics including stress physiology, emotion regulation, and behavioral medicine. He collaborates on studies involving ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, cortisol responses, and the role of social interactions in health outcomes. His interventions often combine behavioral and technological approaches, such as mobile health (mHealth) apps for mindfulness and real-time stress management. The lab’s work has implications for clinical practice, workplace health, and public health policy.