Research

SHU psychology faculty and staff are active researchers in many areas of the field, regularly publishing empirical articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Undergraduate and graduate students work alongside professors in meaningful research projects that lead to deeper understanding, lab and field experience and credit and potential career opportunities.

One of the goals in Introduction to Psychology (PS 110) is to be introduced to research methods. One option for meeting this goal is being a participant in the department’s research. You can browse through and schedule an opportunity through Sona Systems.

Learn more about our professors’ ongoing research and how you can gain valuable experience with their on-campus labs and projects.

Rachel Bowman, Ph.D.

Dr. Bowman’s primary research interests are in the area of behavioral neuroendocrinology, i.e., how various hormones (e.g., stress, gonadal) influence psychological phenomena. Her program of research focuses primarily on anxiety and learning & memory in a rodent model and how these psychological processes can be altered by experiences such as stress exposure, environmental enrichment, and environmental toxin exposure. If interested, contact her at bowmanr@sacredheart.edu.

Maureen Conard, Ph.D.

Dr. Conard's research focuses on the intersection between personality and performance in a workplace or school setting. She investigates the relationship between personality and stress, as well as the connection between personality and admission to university. Dr. Conard also examines how organizations select their personnel and how interruptions affect workplace performance. If interested, contact her at conardm@sacredheart.edu.

Adrienne Crowell, Ph.D.

Dr. Crowell’s Self and Emotions Lab (Self-E Lab) investigates issues related to the self, including how self-affirmation affects defensive and emotional responses and how people exercise self-control in service of their goals. We are a multi-modal lab, meaning that we use self-report, behavioral and psychophysiological (e.g., heart rate, skin conductance, facial muscle movement) methodologies. Students help with all aspects of the research process (i.e., idea generation, designing methods, literature reviews, data collection, data analysis). If interested, contact her at crowella2@sacredheart.edu.

Katie Kroeper, Ph.D.

Dr. Kroeper’s Confrontation and Identity Threat Intervention (CaITI) Lab conducts research to identify and address social inequities between people who are traditionally advantaged and disadvantaged in society. For example, we examine (a) the types of diversity messages that do (and don’t) foster inclusion and belonging, (b) how people can effectively confront prejudiced beliefs in themselves and others and (c) how leaders and organizations can create authentically inclusive climates. If interested, contact her at kroeperk@sacredheart.edu.

Dawn Melzer, Ph.D.

Dr. Melzer’s research is focused on cognitive development in young children. She investigates problem solving, communication, and the relationship between cognitive development and motor abilities. She is also interested in the development of empathy and how young children understand and interpret other people’s thoughts and behaviors. Dr. Melzer also collaborates with her colleague Dr. Yeater on comparative psychology studies. They have recently created a Canine Cognition Lab on campus where pet owners and their dogs are invited to participate in studies investigating cognitive abilities in dogs, similar to those studied in young children. If interested, contact her at melzerd365@sacredheart.edu.

Jonix Owino, Ph.D.

Dr. Owino’s research focuses on understanding quality of life, perceptions of successful aging, and other aspects of well-being among older adults. Specifically, she studies the implications of aging in unfamiliar or foreign environment through the lens of older refugee immigrants in the United States. Her current research focuses on the implications of COVID-19 among older adults. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are used in the study. If interested, contact her at owinoj@sacredheart.edu.

Jessica Samuolis, Ph.D.

Dr. Samuolis' research focuses on prevention and program development and evaluation related to risk behaviors among adolescents and young adults. Her research includes a focus on the prevention of substance use, as well as examining mental health and health-related behaviors among young adults. She also conducts research on youth identity development. If interested, contact her at samuolisj@sacredheart.edu.

Michael T. Vale, Ph.D.

The goal of Dr. Michael T. Vale’s research in the Sexuality, Minoritized Identities and Lifespan Experiences (SMILES) Lab is to conduct research that provides pathways to better identify the risk and resilience factors associated with experiencing stigma throughout one’s life. In the SMILES Lab, Dr. Vale is primarily interested in stigmas concerning age, sexual identity, gender conformity, and relationship status. Students engage in many different tasks in the lab, including data management, coding and data input, finding articles, reading research articles, helping recruit participants, advertising studies, making materials for studies, and presenting research findings. If interested, contact him at valem@sacredheart.edu.

Deirdre Yeater, Ph.D.

Dr. Yeater’s research has been in the areas of animal behavior and cognition. She specializes in studying social interactions in belugas, dolphin play behavior, environmental enrichment in river otters, and human conservation behavior and attitudes related to animal welfare. Dr. Yeater also conducts canine cognition research on campus in collaboration with Dr. Dawn Melzer. If interested, contact her at yeaterd@sacredheart.edu.