Psychopathology research is broadly defined as investigation into the nature and origins of mental disorders, and into the factors that affect the course and outcome of these disorders. The training for the research focus in adult psychopathology involves engagement in research, in collaboration with a faculty mentor, on a topic related to adult psychopathology. During the course of graduate training, a student in this research focus works toward identifying and developing a particular research interest area of his/her own within the general area of the mentor's expertise.

Dr. Michael Alosco - Assistant Professor of Neurology, Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center

Dr. Dayana Calvo - Staff Neuropsychologist, Bay Pines VA

Dr. Andrew Fedor - Clinical Neuropsychologist, Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Alina Health

Dr. Yossef Ben-Porath:  Assessment of personality and psychopathology.

Dr. Joel Hughes:  Psychological and social factors in cardiovascular health and disease.

Dr. John Gunstad studies the effects of medical conditions on neurocognitive functioning and how health behaviors (e.g., diet and exercise) influence cognition.

Dr. Mary Beth Spitznagel studies caregiver burden, burden transfer, dementia, wellness, occupational stress and burnout

Our group maintains an active research program, with multiple projects underway at all times. Primary areas of focus for our program include:

• Understanding neurocognitive effects of medical conditions like obesity and heart disease
• Developing non-pharmacologic interventions to reduce the risk of neurological disorders
• Understanding caregiver burden and finding ways to better help individuals providing informal care for their loved ones

Graduate students build clinical skills across multiple settings, including hospital-based inpatient and outpatient neuropsychology evaluations, academic testing in the KSU Psychology Clinic, concussion programs for Kent State University athletes, and memory screenings at community centers.  A wide variety of presenting problems are seen through these activities, including dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's disease), stroke, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and head injury.

Specialized coursework helps students develop expertise in clinical neuropsychology, including courses in Neuropsychological Assessment, Neuroanatomy, and Psychopharmacology. Additional classes are available to better understand mind-body connections, including such courses as Psychophysiological Psychology, Psychobiological Aspects of Health, Clinical Aspects of Health Psychology, among many others.

• Elle Brennan, Ph.D. – Akron Children’s Hospital
• Katy Darling, Ph.D. – Postdoctoral Fellow, Alpert Medical School of Brown University
• Nicole Dempster, Ph.D. – Nationwide Children’s Hospital
• Robert Dempster, Ph.D. – Program Director, Comprehensive Pediatric Feeding Program, Nationwide Children's Hospital; Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Ohio State University College of Medicine
• Petra Duran, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics – Psychology Sect

• Faculty and students have access to recently renovated lab space in the department.
• Competitive, intramural student awards are available through the department’s Applied Psychology Center (APC) as well as University’s Department of Graduate Studies.
• The research labs at KSU include state of the art equipment (e.g., observational, Podcasting), software (e.g., Direct RT, Mplus), and technology for delivering interventions.
• Faculty and graduate students actively collaborate with a range of interdisciplinary professionals (e.g., physicians, psychologists, socia