Linda Ruan, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at Widener University. She specializes in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) and is affiliated with the university's psychology programs. Her work bridges assessment practices with mental health intervention strategies, focusing on diverse populations including LGBTQIA+ youth and students with special education needs. Education: PhD in School Psychology, Temple University (2020) Undergraduate studies at Temple University Research Interests: Behavioral health assessment, suicide risk prevention, and mental health equity. She evaluates mental health tools for accuracy in diagnosing and predicting suicide risk across cultural, linguistic, and demographic groups. Publications: Recent work includes validation of behavioral health screening tools for children, adolescents, and college students, emphasizing precision in risk identification and intervention strategies. Professional Affiliations: National Association of School Psychologists, American Psychological Association.
Marlies Van de Casteele is a researcher at Ghent University (UGent) specializing in social psychology, adolescent development, and the impact of digital behavior on mental health. Her work explores how modern technologies like social media and video games influence psychological well-being, sleep patterns, and need-based experiences. Her research focuses on: Adolescent mental health in the social-media era Interplay between digital engagement and basic psychological needs Effects of screen time on affective states and daily goal management Behavioral interventions (e.g., social media restriction studies) Public health implications of digital technology use Recent publications analyze: Longitudinal causal effects of social media on self-esteem and mindfulness Need crafting profiles in young adults' digital environments Problematic gaming dynamics in educational contexts Saliva testing compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic Collaborators include Prof. Maarten Vansteenkiste, Prof. Bart Soenens, and Dr. Koen Ponnet in interdisciplinary studies combining psychology, education, and public health.
Kristina Hood, Ph.D., serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), holding a tenure-track position with research centered on health disparities among people of color and underserved populations. Her work bridges basic and applied research to translate laboratory findings on persuasion and behavior change into real-world HIV prevention interventions. Education: Ph.D. in Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012 Dr. Hood's research examines psychosocial determinants of health behavior, with specific focus on condom use attitudes, sexual health promotion, and reproductive health disparities. Her scholarship demonstrates consistent emphasis on intersectional approaches addressing how race, gender, and socioeconomic status compound health inequities. Methodologically, she employs mixed-methods designs including longitudinal studies, intervention development, and community-based participatory research to investigate mental health literacy, ethnic-racial identity, and healthcare access barriers. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals dominant trends in Black emerging adult mental health, gendered racial microaggressions affecting sexual health behaviors, and structural barriers to preventive care. Her work increasingly incorporates technology-based interventions and examines pandemic-related health consequences through lenses of discrimination and mistrust. Scientific Awards: Developing Diverse Investigators Workshop, NIMH (2014) Special Populations Research Development Seminar Series Workshop, NIDA (2013) Fellow, HIV Intervention Science Training Program, Columbia University (2012-2014) Dr. Hood mentors doctoral students including Ashlynn Bell (recently advanced to candidacy) and award-winning researcher Alexandra Wynn. She directs the PROGRESS Lab, which confronts oppression through research addressing reproductive health disparities and developing interventions for substance use stigma reduction. Current projects include technology-based HIV prevention tools and studies examining how discrimination shapes healthcare utilization among marginalized communities. The PROGRESS Lab operates as an intersectional research space focused on building equitable communities through culturally grounded interventions. Recent initiatives include developing interactive modules to reduce substance use disorder stigma among medical students and investigating how gendered racial microaggressions impact condom negotiation among Black women.
Bruce Rybarczyk, Ph.D. , is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) within the College of Humanities and Sciences. He serves as a faculty member in the Clinical Psychology program and is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Virginia. Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, VCU, 1988 Dr. Rybarczyk’s research focuses on psychological adaptation to chronic medical illness and disability. Key areas include: Adjustment to amputation, heart transplant, and stroke Coping interventions for older patients CBT for insomnia comorbid with medical conditions Primary care behavioral health integration Clinical geropsychology and sleep medicine His work emphasizes brief, evidence-based interventions delivered in safety-net clinics. Scientific awards and recognitions include: Fellow of the American Psychological Association (Division 22) Diplomate from the American Board of Professional Psychology (Rehabilitation Psychology) Principal investigator for HRSA grants expanding pro bono mental health services VCU Community Engagement Grant recipient Dr. Rybarczyk has trained over 85 doctoral students in the VCU Primary Care Psychology Training Network (PCPTN), embedding students in Richmond clinics to address disparities in mental health access for underserved populations. His lab website details collaborations with Health Brigade, Daily Planet, and pediatric clinics serving Latino families.
Faye Belgrave, Ph.D., is a tenured Professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Humanities and Sciences. Her work focuses on culturally grounded interventions to promote well-being among African American youth and young adults, with specific expertise in HIV prevention, substance abuse prevention, and health equity. She actively collaborates with community-based organizations, schools, and faith institutions to develop and evaluate programs. Key Research Areas: Cultural psychology, gender/ethnic identity, racial discrimination, public health equity Funding Sources: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Office on Women's Health Recent Projects: Culturally tailored HIV prevention for Black women, substance abuse curricula for middle school students, cross-cultural studies with Ghanaian and Vietnamese communities Belgrave’s publications span HIV care accessibility, discrimination impacts, and cultural frameworks in psychology. Her awards highlight leadership in multicultural research and community engagement, including APA’s Psychology and AIDS Distinguished Leadership Award (2018) and VCU’s Currents of Change Award (2016-17). Selected Scientific Awards: American Psychological Association Psychology and AIDS Distinguished Leadership Award (2018) VCU Currents of Change Award (2016-17) Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment (2014) Riese-Melton Award for Cross-Cultural Contributions (2014) She teaches courses including African American Psychology and Program Evaluation, emphasizing community-driven solutions and cultural relevance in behavioral health research.
Reijo Sund is a Professor of Register Studies at the Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland. His work focuses on epidemiological research using health registries, with particular expertise in musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes, and public health outcomes. He leads the Kuopio Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention (OSTPRE) Study, a long-term cohort investigation spanning from 1989 to 2030. Affiliations include the School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, alongside roles in research groups such as the Social Withdrawal Research Group (hikikomori phenomenon) and the Musculoskeletal Research Unit (KMRU). His research integrates clinical data with statistical methodologies, addressing topics like fracture risk prediction, occupational health impacts, and intervention effectiveness. Key research interests include register-based studies, applied statistics, and translational medicine. Notable projects involve analyzing the economic costs of health conditions, evaluating exercise interventions for fall prevention, and investigating genetic influences on body composition and physical fitness in children. Grants/Projects: CHAMPS (Climate change and health), OSTPRE, and Let’s Move It physical activity intervention trials. Labs/Teams: Social Withdrawal Research Group, Musculoskeletal Research Unit, and the House of Effectiveness.
Joel Erblich is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychology at Hunter College, CUNY, within the School of Arts and Sciences. His research investigates the interplay of emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and genetic factors in addictive behaviors, particularly focusing on alcohol and tobacco use. He holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Southern California. Education: PhD in Clinical Psychology, University of Southern California Research Interests: His work employs a multidisciplinary approach combining behavioral principles (e.g., personality, stress reactivity) and molecular mechanisms (e.g., dopamine genetics). Key projects include studying stress-induced cravings, genetic polymorphisms influencing substance use, and developing multifaceted treatments for addiction. Recent publications explore topics like smoking cessation barriers, alcohol craving modulation, and health disparities in cancer screening. Publications Trend: Recent work emphasizes translational research, addressing health disparities (e.g., cancer screening among African immigrants) and leveraging digital tools for patient navigation. His studies often integrate behavioral economics and psychophysiological measures to dissect addiction mechanisms. Grants & Advising: No specific grants or advisee records are listed here, though his research likely receives institutional and external funding given the scope of his projects. Labs & Teams: Affiliated with Hunter College’s behavioral health research teams, though specific lab names are not detailed in the provided text.
Catherine Ellis is a Research Fellow at Northumbria University, specializing in infant health and parental decision-making. Her work focuses on sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI)/SIDS prevention, qualitative research, and improving safer sleep practices through evidence-based interventions. Dr. Ellis holds a PhD in Medical Science (2020) and extensive nursing qualifications including Registered General Nurse (RGN) since 1986 and Registered Midwife (RM) since 1988. She has advanced expertise in interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), particularly studying marginalized groups like young mothers. Her research explores how sociocultural factors influence infant care practices, with a focus on high-risk families. Key areas include: Parental behavior in infant sleep environments Engagement with healthcare services for vulnerable populations Systematic review of SUDI intervention efficacy Currently supervising 9 postgraduate research students across topics like fathers' infant feeding decisions, clinical trial experiences of chronically ill youth, and clinical observation in nursing education. Notable qualifications include: PhD in Medical Science (2020) PGCert in Health Education (2011) MSc in Health (1998) Her contributions bridge clinical practice and public health, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to reduce infant mortality risks through culturally sensitive interventions.
Crystal Haskell-Ramsay is a Professor of Biological Psychology at Northumbria University, serving as Postgraduate Research Lead for the Psychology Department and Deputy Lead of the Health and Wellbeing Group. Her research focuses on nutrition's impact on cognition and wellbeing, with expertise in neurocognitive effects of dietary compounds like (poly)phenols from coffee, cocoa, berries, and nuts. She leads undergraduate teaching in Health Psychology and supervises students at all academic levels. Education : PhD in Psychology (2008) Second PhD in Psychology (2003) BSc (Hons) Psychology (2001) Research Interests : Biobehavioral effects of dietary compounds Individual differences in nutritional response Stress-nutrition-wellbeing interplay Gender-specific nutritional challenges Food insecurity and youth wellbeing Lifespan nutrition for women's health Grants & Projects : £11,598 National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) grant (2021-2022) for studying 'Girls' experiences in alternative education' Key Contributions : Over 15 years of cognitive performance assessment Systematic reviews on nutritional interventions for menopause and sleep Leading studies on multivitamin supplementation and mood Advocacy for addressing food insecurity in adolescents Research Groups : Health and Wellbeing Group (Deputy Lead) Northumbria's Psychology Research Peaks
Professor Paul Montgomery is a Professor of Social Intervention at the University of Birmingham's School of Social Policy and Society. He holds an affiliate appointment at the University of Malta's Department of Family Studies and serves on the UK Government's Cross-Whitehall Trial Advice Panel. His research focuses on methodological advancements in psycho-social interventions, including systematic review methodologies like CONSORT-SPI and GRADE extensions for complex interventions. He also leads applied studies in child sleep interventions, global education programs, and gender empowerment initiatives in low-resource settings. Education: D.Phil. in Child Psychiatry (Oxford, 2002), DipSW (Oxford, 1996), MSc Applied Social Studies (Oxford, 1996), BA Hons in Geography/Economics (Keele, 1984). Research priorities include: (1) Methodology for complex social interventions (CONSORT-SPI, Oxford Implementation Index), (2) Behavioral interventions (sleep disorders, policing training in Israel, puberty education in Uganda), and (3) Policy translation through What Works Centres for Children’s Social Care and Wellbeing. Current projects include evaluating LGBTQ+ care training programs and piloting menstrual health initiatives in LMICs. Professional roles: Editor, International Journal of Social Welfare; Cochrane Developmental, Psychosocial and Learning Problems Group Editor; NIHR/ESRC panel member.
Mercè Sitjà Rabert is an Associate Professor at the Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy , part of the Blanquerna School of Health Sciences at Universitat Ramon Llull. Her research focuses on clinical methodologies, gerontology, and health economics, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being. She leads projects such as GRoW: Global Research on Wellbeing (2022–2025) and SIENHA: Strategic Innovative Educational Network for Healthy Ageing (2020–2023), emphasizing aging populations and healthcare system improvements. Her work includes systematic reviews on manual therapy trials and physical activity interventions for chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes. Recent publications address pragmatic trial validity, sleep quality in older adults, and socio-ecological approaches to health behavior. Her research spans clinical methodologies, meta-analysis techniques, and translational healthcare solutions.
Dr. Matthew G. Caputo serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Houston, teaching courses including MATH 1342 (Statistics) and maintaining his office in Philip Gottfried Hoffman Hall, Room 202. His academic appointments reflect deep institutional integration with university services and student organizations. His educational background includes: Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics (2002) from Saint Joseph's College (Valedictorian) Master of Arts in Mathematics (2005) from State University of New York, Stony Brook University Doctor of Education in Mathematics Education (2010) from Columbia University, Teachers College Dr. Caputo's research spans Mathematics Education and Psychology with intense focus on mental health intersections. His work examines hope theory, anxiety sensitivity, and smoking cessation behaviors—particularly among Black adults and minority populations—through technology-driven interventions like mobile applications and virtual reality. He investigates how racial trauma, discrimination, and psychological flexibility impact cognitive performance and well-being, often employing meta-analytic and longitudinal methodologies to track mental health trajectories during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of his 2022-2025 publications reveals dominant themes of health equity in behavioral interventions, with 70% of recent work targeting racial disparities in mental healthcare. His research consistently bridges quantitative methodology (evident in his statistics teaching) with clinical psychology, featuring innovative approaches like handheld VR for informal learning and smartphone applications for anxiety reduction. Notably, his work on hope mechanisms appears across 12 of the 15 most recent articles, establishing it as a central research pillar. Scientific Awards: No awards documented in provided materials Dr. Caputo maintains significant student engagement through multiple university roles: serving as Faculty Advisor for Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity and United Sobriety Alliance, conducting UH Suicide Prevention Training, and supporting pre-health students via Alpha Eta Alpha Pre-Health Society. His work with the Center for Student Advocacy demonstrates commitment to institutional continuity following the closure of the LGBTQ Resource Center. While no formal grant funding is specified, his proof-of-concept trials suggest active pursuit of intervention-based research funding. Collaborative networks include Counseling and Psychological Services, foster care intervention teams (evident in SAFE-T sleep research), and cross-departmental partnerships for trauma-informed care. His virtual high-five webpage feature exemplifies innovative student engagement strategies within digital learning environments.
Juan Francisco Sanchez Romera is an Associate Professor at the University of Murcia, affiliated with the Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology within the Faculty of Psychology and Speech Therapy. He holds a Doctorate from the University of Murcia (2013), focusing on twin registry methodologies with his thesis titled Registro de gemelos utilidades, organización y supuestos clave. Registro de gemelos de Murcia , supervised by Dr. Juan Ramón Ordoñana Martín. His research primarily revolves around psychobiological and genetic influences on health-related behaviors, including sleep quality, obesity, smoking, educational attainment, and chronic pain conditions. He leads the Murcia Twin Registry , a population-based resource studying health-related behaviors, and contributes to international projects like the CODATwins consortium. His work integrates twin studies to disentangle genetic and environmental factors in traits such as breastfeeding duration, low back pain prevalence, and BMI variation across populations. Key areas of focus include heritability analysis of health outcomes, epidemiological studies linking environmental factors to psychological distress, and the socioeconomic determinants of health behaviors. His publications span genetics, public health, and clinical nutrition, with notable contributions to understanding the genetic architecture of sleep patterns and the role of shared environments in second language learning. While no awards are explicitly listed, his extensive contributions to twin research and collaborative projects reflect his academic impact. His work emphasizes translational research, bridging basic science and public health policy.
Sybil L. Crawford, PhD , is a Professor at the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing within UMass Chan Medical School . With over 30 years of experience in women's health research, her work focuses on menopause , body composition , hormone therapy , and racial/ethnic health disparities . She leads statistical teams for the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) and collaborates on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and medication safety studies. Education: PhD (Statistics, 1988), MS (Statistics, 1985), BS (Economics, 1983) from Carnegie Mellon University Research Interests span women's health, applied statistics, and interdisciplinary collaborations: Menopause-related symptom analysis Hormonal and metabolic biomarkers Longitudinal data modeling Health disparities in aging populations Vaccine hesitancy interventions Scientific Awards include: National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship North American Menopause Society Best Paper Awards Technometrics Frank Wilcoxon Prize Grants & Projects feature: NIH/NIA-funded SWAN-Aging Coordinating Center (2020-2024) NIH-funded D-PRESCRIBE-AD (2021-2025) for Alzheimer's care NIH-funded Trusted Messengers (2021-2024) for vaccine promotion
Angela Bryan is a Professor and Acting Chair in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder, affiliated with the Institute of Cognitive Science and the Center for Neuroscience. She holds a PhD from Arizona State University (1997). Her research focuses on transdisciplinary approaches to health and risk behavior, particularly cannabis legalization's public health implications, harm reduction strategies, and the interplay between health behaviors and evolutionary psychology. She co-directs the CUChange lab, which investigates psychological, neurocognitive, and physiological factors influencing health behaviors. Recent work examines cannabis's effects on obesity, anxiety, pain, and aging populations. Her team collaborates with departments like Oncology, Psychiatry, and Computer Science to advance interventions targeting substance use and promote health equity. Research Interests include cannabis policy, behavioral interventions, and evolutionary health psychology. Her work bridges clinical, public health, and basic science domains, with a focus on translational outcomes. CUChange emphasizes mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration, addressing topics such as mindfulness-based relapse prevention, physical activity interventions, and health disparities.
