Do You Want To Gain Research Experience By Working In The LRPPH?

Who Is Eligible? Undergraduate and Graduate Students with a GPA of 3.5 or greater, who have room in their schedules for 1-3 hours worth of independent study credit for at least two semesters or more, and who are interested in working toward the requirements needed to attend graduate school, are encouraged to apply. Contact Dr. Hirsch to discuss the possibility of becoming a part of the research team.

LRPPH: Current Student Research Members

Graduate Student Research Associates:

Morgan Treaster, M.A. - Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student
Dissertation: Optimism and Physical Health-Related Quality of Life in Chronic Illness: Mediating Effects of Control Beliefs and Health Behaviors

Benjamin Hall, M.A. - Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student
Dissertation: Forgiveness, Gratitude, Humility, and Spiritual Struggle: Associations with Religious Belief Status and Suicide Risk

Heather Altier - Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student
Thesis: Thwarted Interpersonal Needs, Depression, and Sleep Disturbances in Primary Care: Does Gratitude Help You Sleep?

Shana Byerley - Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student
Current Research Interest: Health Psychology; Coping with Chronic Illness

Rachel Meek - Undergraduate Research Assistant
Current Research Interest: Kidney Disease; Chronic Illness; Coping in LGBTQ Persons

Stephanie Penpek - Undergraduate Research Assistant
Current Research Interest: Coping in Cancer Patients; Religiousness/Spirituality, Gratitude and Health

LRPPH: Recent Student Presentations and Publications [Students in Bold Letters]

Hall, B., Meek, R., Jeglic, E.L., & Hirsch, J.K. (2019). Acculturative stress and mental health outcomes among U.S. immigrant college students: Is future orientation protective? Presentation at 52nd annual conference of the American Association of Suicidology, Denver CO.

Altier, H.R., Treaster, M.K., & Hirsch, J.K. (2019). Interpersonal distress and health-related quality of life in primary care: Do hope, optimism, and depression explain the association? Presentation at 31st annual convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.

Treaster, M.K., Pugh, K.C., Meek, R., Tanner, K., & Hirsch, J.K. (2019). Perceived control and wellness behaviors in cancer: Mediating effects of psychological distress and trait hope. Presentation at 31st annual convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.

Treaster, M.K., Penpek, S., Webb, J.R., Toussaint, L., & Hirsch, J.K. (2019). "I forgive myself and God:" Coping and distress among parents of children with disabilities. Presentation at 34th annual Appalachian Student Research Forum, Johnson City, TN. Awarded 1st Place in Graduate Poster Competition.