Tom Gould

Tom Gould is the Jean Phillips Shibley Professor and Department Head of the Department of Biobehavioral Health within the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State University. He leads one of the largest undergraduate programs at the university, guiding academic, research, and administrative initiatives in biobehavioral health sciences.

His leadership emphasizes innovation in student advising, curriculum development, and interdisciplinary research collaborations across Penn State and global institutions. The department continues to thrive under his direction, maintaining its status as a premier program in health-related behavioral sciences.

• Research areas in the department include substance use, chronic illness, sleep, stress, and health equity.
• Under his leadership, faculty have secured prestigious R01 grants and teaching awards, and students have earned national recognition including Fulbright and Rhodes scholarships.

Tom Gould has fostered a strong culture of mentorship, diversity, and academic excellence. He oversees departmental strategy, faculty development, and student success initiatives. The department also operates the Biomarker Core Lab and collaborates with major research centers such as the Prevention Research Center and the Social Science Research Institute.