The Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine centers on research, scholarship, teaching, training, clinical care and service that emphasizes behavioral, physical, social, and lifestyle factors in health and health outcomes. With our community partners, our work prioritizes impacts on lifespan health from childhood to aging and aims to develop and deploy effective solutions to improve health for all.
Hou Lab Meta-Analysis Highlights Wide Learning Gaps for Children with NF1
Children and adolescents with NF1 face significant learning and attention challenges, according to a comprehensive meta-analysis led by Assistant Professor Yang Hou, Ph.D., that found consistent deficits in reading, writing and math and underscored the need for targeted, long-term educational interventions.
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Spring Co-Leads Study Testing Digital and Social Support Tools to Boost Exercise in Breast Cancer Survivors
A clinical trial is testing a combination of digital tools, social support and mindfulness strategies to help inactive breast cancer survivors safely increase their physical activity, with researchers aiming to identify the most effective components for long-term health and quality-of-life improvements.
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Exploring the Life Cycle of a Patient-Centered Journal
Nearly a decade after the FSU College of Medicine launched the PLAID journal to build a community around the lived experience of diabetes, its editors are sharing lessons on creating, sustaining and concluding a library-run, peer-reviewed publication.
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Bailey Explores the Impact of Choline Intake and Genetics on Liver Health
A study co-authored by Professor Regan Bailey, Ph.D., found no overall link between dietary choline and liver damage biomarkers in U.S. adults but identified a genetic variant associated with higher triglycerides at greater choline intake, highlighting the need for further research on gene-diet interactions in liver health.
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Hou Lab Publishes First Systematic Review on Biopsychosocial Factors in ADHD for Youth with NF1
Researchers in the DEaR Lab led by Yang Hou, Ph.D., published the first systematic review linking executive function difficulties to ADHD in youth with Neurofibromatosis Type 1, highlighting the need for larger, more comprehensive studies to better understand biological and social influences.
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Nair-Collins Explores Biological Reality vs. Social Constructions of Death
Associate Professor Michael Nair-Collins, Ph.D., argues in a new American Journal of Bioethics commentary that death is a biological reality distinct from socially constructed laws, contending that patients diagnosed with brain death remain biologically alive despite permanent unconsciousness.
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Bell Addresses Multidimensional Aspects of Trauma in Emergency Department Boarding for Neurodiverse Youth
A clinical review co-authored by Petronella Bell, M.D., outlines new guidelines and innovative care models to address the rise in pediatric mental health boarding in emergency departments by initiating treatment in nonpsychiatric settings and expanding the use of telepsychiatry and interdisciplinary care.
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Expanding the Florida Behavioral Health Impact Program
The FSU Center for Behavioral Health Integration received $1 million to expand the Florida BH Impact Program statewide, strengthening behavioral health screening, treatment and support for pregnant and postpartum patients through partnerships with obstetric providers across Florida.
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Flynn Presents on Perinatal Behavioral Health at Healthy Start Conference
Department Chair Heather Flynn, Ph.D., delivered a keynote on perinatal behavioral health and evidence-based interventions at the 2025 Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions Annual Conference, highlighting strategies to support mental health for parents and infants.
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Marks Appointed Associate Editor for APA Psychology of Addictive Behaviors Journal
Laura Reid Marks, Ph.D., director of the G.R.O.W.T.H. Lab, has been named an associate editor for the APA’s Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, a role that aligns with the lab’s mission to advance research and interventions for emerging adults.
'Rising Star' continues to rise as researcher, educator, mentor
Florida State University’s growth as an R1 institution is evident in Assistant Professor Yang Hou, Ph.D., whose nationally recognized research, teaching and mentorship in neurofibromatosis and developmental sciences have earned major federal funding and advanced care for underserved populations.
Postdoctoral Scholar Presents Research on Adolescent Health at National Public Health Conference
Postdoctoral Scholar Prince Addo presented new research at the APHA 2025 Annual Meeting showing that poor sleep and substance use in adolescence are linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk in adulthood, underscoring the need for early prevention and healthier sleep habits.
Green Honored with FSU’s Ethos Award for Research Integrity and Ethics
FSU Compliance and Ethics honored individuals for exemplary ethical leadership at its inaugural awards, including Sara Green, who received the Ethos Award for Research Integrity and Ethics for her leadership of CTBScience’s Research and Development Core and its work supporting ethical, compliant and collaborative research across the center.
Carter Joins the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT)
Rebecca Carter, LCSW, CTTS, was accepted into the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers and completed its Training of New Trainers program, strengthening the department’s ability to deliver evidence-based Motivational Interviewing training and support.
Ennis Nominated to Serve on Statewide Medical Marijuana Research Board
FSU President Richard McCullough nominated Vice Chair Nicole Ennis, Ph.D., to serve on the Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research Board, recognizing her nationally funded work examining marijuana’s public health impacts and her leadership in developing interventions for people with chronic or life-limiting illnesses.