Meghan Gangel

Meghan Gangel is an Assistant Professor at Western Carolina University (WCU) in the Department of Psychology, part of the College of Education and Allied Professions. She joined WCU in 2022, previously teaching at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (PhD in Developmental Psychology) and Wake Forest University. As coordinator of the Psychology Research Participant Pool (SONA), she emphasizes both teaching and research on adolescent and emerging adult health development.

Education:

• PhD in Developmental Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Research Interests:
Dr. Gangel uses a biopsychosocial approach to study health behaviors and outcomes in adolescents and emerging adults. Her Health Psychology lab (HEAAL) investigates topics including pubertal timing’s impact on well-being, weight stigmatization, digital dating behaviors, and spirituality in adolescence. Current projects focus on physiological health in college students, peer-based behaviors, and predictors of social media use.

Teaching & Advising:
Teaches courses like Development II/III, Health Psychology, and Research Design. Leads an active research team in HEAAL, accepting graduate students (SSP, MS, PsyD) and undergraduate assistants. Encourages student involvement in research projects.

Labs/Teams:
Head of the HEAAL lab, collaborating with Dr. Courtney Rogers. Lab focuses on health psychology with interdisciplinary approaches to adolescent and emerging adult health challenges.