APA Summer Program
Clinical Health Psychology Lab
PI: Kim Pulvers, PhD, MPH – Website: http://pulverslab.weebly.com
This lab focuses on the link between stress and health. Our measurement of
health includes both mental health issues such as anxiety and depression
symptoms and behavioral health issues such as substance use and sleep. We
typically measure stress using laboratory assessments such as the cold pressor
task and physiological measures such as heart rate and cortisol.
In addition, the lab includes the measurement of positive psychological
factors such as resilience. This lab also conducts work on tobacco use and
tobacco control, with a focus on emerging products such as electronic
cigarettes and hookah.
The Clinical Health lab is composed of four graduate students,
ten undergraduates, and several post-baccalaureate trainees.
We are very collaborative and use a peer-mentoring modeling
under the guidance of the PI, which provides valuable
leadership opportunities to students. In addition, this lab is
active in providing opportunities for students to develop and
test research questions for presentation at scientific or local
conferences.
Students who work with Dr. Pulvers typically pursue graduate education in clinical or counseling
psychology, public health, or clinical social work. However, the skillset is broadly applicable to
other areas including experimental and social psychology. In addition, students apply their skills
in the pursuit of healthcare or research employment.
Possible topics of study for Summer 2017 include:

Positive Traits and Mood as Protective Factors in Stress Response

The Association between Sleep and Stress Response by Ethnicity

Link between Marijuana Use, Stress Response, and Cognitive Performance

Psychological Factors Associated with Electronic Cigarette Use among Smokers