In terms of #2, strong applicants have a solid academic record; typically have completed prior coursework in health psychology and/or biology and/or courses on a pre-med track; and have gained at least one year of research experience in health psychology or a related field, ideally including post-baccalaureate experience and independent research experience (e.g., through a senior honors thesis, poster presentations, publication experience). Applicants should also have prior training and experience with (or an enthusiasm and strong desire to develop skills in) quantitative methods skills, including coding, data management, and data analysis in R.

I will consider applications from prospective students interested in any of our current research projects. I especially welcome applications from students who are interested in the SIERA study – a study of adults aged 60+ years old and older linking experiences in daily life (e.g., stress, emotions, social aspects) to immunological and biological changes important for age-related health outcomes.

Q: Can we meet by phone/Zoom before I submit my application?

A: No, I will not be scheduling phone/Zoom meetings with applicants prior to Dec 1 out of fairness to all applicants. My current graduate student will also not be meeting with prospective applicants who contact her before Dec 1. However, graduate students will be involved in the admissions process, so if you are invited for an interview, you will have lots of time to meet with them (and me) and discuss your questions about the lab, my mentorship, Pitt, and Pittsburgh.

Q: Should I email you to let you know I’m applying to your lab?

A: No, it is not necessary to email me before applying. Whether or not you email me will have no bearing on your ultimate chances of admission; I will carefully review any applications that list me as a potential mentor on official applications submitted through Pitt. However, if you have very specific questions that are not addressed on my website or Pitt’s website, then you can email me.

Q: What is research training like in your lab?

A: Research training in my lab is hands-on. Students will be involved in active data collection (e.g., interviewing older adult participants, working with biospecimens in the wet lab, etc.) and in data management and analyses (e.g., coding and analyzing data in R). In addition, students learn about all aspects of the research process and have opportunities to develop their own studies, to be involved in my ongoing work, and to analyze and write up results for presentations and publications. The goal of the training I offer is to foster the development of independent research scientists. Thus, I am looking for someone who has a vision of being an academic scientist and contributing to our understanding of how biopsychosocial factors may impact health and disease.

Q: What are some aspects that make training at Pitt unique?

A: Great question! Here are just a few things that make Pitt stand out:

1. Other universities have a health emphasis within their Clinical or Social Psychology programs, but Pitt is unique in that it offers a Ph.D. in Biological and Health Psychology as its own, stand-alone program. Students in this program are able to devote more time to research activities and to developing their program of research, but can also supplement their training with elective coursework in other fields (e.g., immunology/ biology, advanced statistics, social psychology coursework, etc.). See the Pitt Bio-Health Student Handbook for more information.

2. There is a vibrant and large community of biological-health psychology researchers in Pittsburgh. Indeed, Pitt is embedded in an urban environment that is rich is collaborative resources and facilitating multidisciplinary team science, including connections with many institutes and centers across campus (check out Bio-health program for more information) and with Carnegie Mellon University.

3. Graduate students in Pitt's Psychology Department can also pursue a Minor in Quantitative Methodology within the Department, a distinction that appears on students' transcripts. Most students in my lab have strong interests in or enthusiasm for quantitative methodological approaches to studying links between biopsychosocial factors and biological processes, and I strongly encourage students to consider this Minor.

4. Within the Psychology department, there are several journal clubs and student-organized groups that offer unique training opportunities for graduate students, such as the Psychoneuroimmunology Journal Club and the Community for Advanced Methodological Learning (CAMeL).

Q: Do you know of resources to help me put together a strong personal statement?

A: Yes, my colleague, Dr. Jennifer MacCormack, put together an excellent guide for writing a strong personal statement here.

Q: What does the application timeline look like?

A: Applications are due December 1. For applicants invited to interview, Pitt’s virtual recruiting weekend will be held likely sometime in January 2025. After interviews, students recommended for a position in the program may be invited to an in-person recruiting event held on February 2025.