Thomas Ritz

Thomas Ritz is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Southern Methodist University, where he directs a research laboratory focused on the psychobiology of emotion, stress, and chronic disease with special emphasis on respiratory conditions (asthma, COPD), anxiety disorders, and depression. His work integrates basic science with translational treatment development.

His research expertise spans:

• Psychophysiology and psychoneuroimmunology of the airways
• Neuroscience of asthma and respiratory-brain interactions
• Autonomic and respiratory regulation in stress/anxiety/depression
• Illness perception in chronic disease
• Psychobiologically informed treatments for phobias and mood disorders

Analysis of his 2019-2023 publications reveals three dominant trends: (1) Investigation of central nervous system mechanisms in respiratory disease (e.g., neural signatures of asthma), (2) Pandemic-era impacts on chronic disease management, and (3) Development of integrated mind-body interventions targeting reward sensitivity and respiratory control. His work consistently employs psychophysiological methods to bridge basic mechanisms with clinical applications.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards mentioned in source material

Professor Ritz actively mentors graduate researchers, with student co-authors appearing in key publications. His laboratory at Southern Methodist University maintains an interdisciplinary focus on psychophysiological mechanisms in chronic disease, utilizing both human and translational approaches to develop novel behavioral interventions for respiratory and anxiety-related conditions.