Robert Dvorak

Robert Dvorak is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Central Florida (UCF), affiliated with the College of Sciences and Department of Psychology. He holds a BA in Sociology from Northern State University and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Dakota, with a pre-doctoral residency at Brown University Clinical Psychology Consortium. His research focuses on self-regulation mechanisms and health-compromising behaviors, including substance use, eating disorders, and suicidal thoughts/behaviors. He employs real-time methodologies like ecological momentary assessment and develops mobile/web-based interventions. Dr. Dvorak leads the REALE-TIME Lab, emphasizing mentorship and collaborative research. His work is funded by grants from NIH, NSF, and other institutions, totaling over $5 million. He advises graduate and undergraduate students, prioritizing research training and publication. His lab explores dual-process models of self-control, peer victimization interventions, and LGBTQ+ suicide prevention.

• Education:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Northern State University
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology, University of South Dakota
  • Pre-doctoral Residency, Brown University Clinical Psychology Consortium

Research Interests: Cognitive/affective self-regulation, real-time behavioral assessment, mobile interventions, advanced statistical modeling, and health-risk behaviors in adolescents/young adults. Key projects include interventions for substance use, eating pathology, and suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ youth. He integrates theories like Deviance Regulation and Counterfactual Thinking to design behavior change strategies.

Grants & Funding:

• NIH R01 MD015896: Suicide prevention in young sexual minority women ($2.48M)
• NIAAA R15AA028909: Mobile expectancy challenge for alcohol literacy ($401K)
• NIH LRP-CR: Adaptive mobile intervention for safe drinking strategies ($29K)

Advising & Mentorship: Trains graduate students in research management, advanced statistics, and intervention design. Current advisees include Angelina Leary, Emily Burr, and Madison Maynard. Former students have pursued academic and clinical careers, collaborating on publications.

Lab Activities: The REALE-TIME Lab emphasizes interdisciplinary projects, including neurocognitive studies, AI-driven quality improvement in medical education, and longitudinal LGBTQ+ health research. Collaborations span public health, neuroscience, and computer science.