معرفی
Sara Levens is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She holds a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. from New York University, followed by postdoctoral training at Stanford University, University of California Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Pittsburgh. Her research focuses on the neural and psychological mechanisms underlying emotion processing, cognition, and decision-making, with a particular emphasis on how these processes relate to mental and physical health outcomes such as depression, posttraumatic growth, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Methodologically, her work integrates behavioral experiments, neuroimaging (fMRI/DTI), and collaborations with physiological and neuroendocrine labs. She directs the Levens Emotion and Cognition Lab, which conducts interdisciplinary studies across diverse populations including veterans, trauma survivors, and individuals with ADHD. Recent projects explore digital mental health interventions, stress reactivity, and the role of mindfulness in health behaviors.
Education:
- B.A., University of California, Berkeley
- Ph.D., New York University
- Postdoctoral Positions: Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh
Research Interests:
Her work investigates adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, the neural correlates of emotional decision-making, and the application of technology in mental health interventions. Key themes include:
- Biobehavioral responses to stress and emotion
- Role of mindfulness in health outcomes
- Impact of social media and digital tools on psychological well-being
- Neuroimaging studies of emotion-cognition interactions
Lab and Collaborations:
The Levens Emotion and Cognition Lab employs mixed-methods approaches, including experimental paradigms, online platforms (e.g., the 'Community Connect' mock social media tool), and collaborations with clinical and computational labs. Recent studies have examined loneliness reduction via digital mental health services and the effects of guided imagery on physical activity.
Grants and Funding:
While specific grants are not listed, her research portfolio suggests funding support for projects involving biobehavioral health, digital interventions, and neuroimaging studies.
