FSU Department of Behavioral Sciences & Social Medicine LogoThe Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine focuses on research, scholarship, teaching, training, clinical care and service that emphasize 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.

 

Summer 2025 Newsletter
Publications

 

Flynn & Naar Publish on Motivational Interviewing for Depression

Flynn & Naar Publish on Motivational Interviewing for Depression

Heather Flynn, Ph.D., and Sylvie Naar, Ph.D., co-authored Chapter 6 in Motivational Interviewing in the Treatment of Psychological Problems, focusing on using Motivational Interviewing to treat depression. They describe how Motivational Interviewing builds empathy, collaboration, and motivation to boost mood and improve outcomes in drug treatment.

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Luchetti and Sutin Meta-Analysis of Loneliness and Cognition in Older Adults

Luchetti and Sutin Conduct Meta-Analysis on Loneliness and Cognition in Older Adults

A global study led by Martina Luchetti, Ph.D., and Angelina Sutin, Ph.D., found that loneliness is linked to cognitive decline across various cultures. Analyzing data from 20,000+ people in seven countries, their research shows how loneliness affects brain health worldwide.

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Examining Interventions for Pediatric Adverse Childhood Experiences at Immokalee

Immokalee Examines Interventions for Pediatric Adverse Childhood Experiences

Javier Rosado, Ph.D., and Alicia Fernandez-Garcia, M.D., co-authored an article on interventions for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in pediatric primary care. The study shows how integrated behavioral health services can reduce psychosocial issues and adolescent depression through timely support like psychoeducaion, therapy, and case management.

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Youth E-Cigarette Screening: Advice, Impact, & Perception

Youth E-Cigarette Screening: Advice, Impact, & Perception

2023 Bridge Graduate John Acosta-Peñaloza, with mentors Karen Geletko, MPH, and Jon Mills, Ph.D., published research on provider e-cigarette screening and advice for adolescents. The study found that screening was more common among youth aged 13–18, males, White and/or non-Hispanic teens, and that provider advice was linked to greater perception of e-cigarette harm. These findings highlight opportunities to strengthen provider influence in preventing youth e-cigarette use.

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Blackburn Chapter on Strengthening Public Health-Academia Partnerships

Blackburn Authors Chapter on Strengthening Public Health-Academia Partnerships

Claudia Blackburn, MPH, contributed to Chapter 7 of Academic Health Department Partnerships, detailing a tri-partite model in Leon County, Florida. The chapter highlights a collaboration between a public health department and two universities, offering strategies to strengthen public health through academic partnerships.

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Bailey Study Compares Accuracy of Dietary Supplement Assessment Tools

Bailey Compares Dietary Supplement Assessment Tool Accuracy

A study co-authored by Regan Bailey, Ph.D., finds major differences in dietary supplement intake estimates depending on the method used. The 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire produced varying results, especially for vitamin D and calcium. The study highlights the need to choose the right tool for accurate nutrient intake estimates.

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Hou Lab Publishes on ADHD, Academic Achievement, and Emotional Symptoms in Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Yang Hou, Ph.D., and her team co-authored three new studies on individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1):

  • ADHD in NF1: A meta-analysis of 70 studies shows children with NF1 have more severe ADHD symptoms than peers, highlighting the need for early support. Read More

  • Academic Achievement in NF1: Children with NF1 show lower academic performance, with the gap widening over time. Read More

  • Emotional Symptoms in NF1: Individuals with NF1 face higher rates of depression, anxiety, and aggression, especially those with ADHD or low verbal IQ. Read More

Events

 

Importance of Safety & Mental Health in the Workplace
Safety Leader Mark Morgan, Department Chair Heather Flynn, & attendees

Workplace Safety and Mental Health Emphasized in Recent Initiative

Jan. 30, 2025

The Florida Chamber Leadership Cabinet on Safety, Health and Sustainability hosted its 2025 Corporate Leadership Workshop on Safety & Mental Health in the Workplace. The workshop featured expert-led discussions by mental health care integration expert Heather Flynn and safety leader Mark Morgan, emphasizing the role leadership plays in fostering safer and healthier workplaces.

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Alzheimer's Project Caregiver Conference
Khori Howard, ACTS2 Assistant Outreach Coordinator

Alzheimer's Project Hosts Caregiver Conference

Feb. 15, 2025

The ACTS2 Caregiver Project joined the Alzheimer’s Project Caregiver Conference, connecting with dedicated caregivers and sharing vital resources on dementia care. This event provided practical strategies, emotional support, and essential training to help caregivers navigate their journey with strength and confidence.

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Postdoc Research Day
Postdoctoral Scholars Daisy Zavala, Dan Liu, & Dean Littles

Postdoctoral Research Featured at Annual Research Day

Apr. 2, 2025

We were honored to have Vice President for Research, Stacey Patterson, and Dean Littles join us in celebrating our Postdoc Research Day. It was an exciting opportunity to showcase the incredible research being conducted across our department.

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Training

 

ACTS2 Flyer

 

ACTS2 Workshop: Diagnostic, Treatment and Support Services for Older Floridians with Memory Problems: What to Know and Ask

This African-American Alzheimer's Caregiver Training (ACTS2) workshop provided practical information about Florida’s state supported network of memory disorder clinics. Persons with memory loss and their family members often had questions about these programs, wanted to learn more about them, and asked questions to those in the know. 

Watch Here

Awards

 

Angelina SutinAngelina Sutin Named Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA)

Achieving fellow status is a prestigious recognition by peers for outstanding contributions to the field of gerontology and represents the highest category of GSA membership.

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Laura Reid Marks AwardLaura Marks Receives 2024-2025 William R. Jones Outstanding Mentor Award

Earned for her efforts at the FSU College of Education, Health, and Human Services, this prestigious honor recognizes exceptional mentors statewide who have made significant contributions to the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program.

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Cheryl Porter

Cheryl Porter Elected AAMC Member-At-Large

The Members-at-Large manage the SGSA mentoring program, ensure that schools in the region have designated institutional voting representatives, and more.

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George Rust

George Rust Named 2024 Faculty Advisor of the Year

This student-driven service-learning organization makes a profound impact through initiatives like health screenings and community events.

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Yang Hou and Dean Littles with Award

Yang Hou Recognized as 2024 Outstanding Junior Faculty Researcher by FSU COM

With 13 published articles, including four as first author, in prestigious journals like Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Hou has advanced the understanding of cognitive and behavioral outcomes in individuals with NF1.

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Samantha Goldfarb

Samantha Goldfarb Receives NIDA-Funded Research Fellowship

The program aims to support the development of innovative biomedical ventures to address substance-use disorders, a complex and critical area in healthcare.

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Austin Spitz

Neuromodulation Student Earns 2024 Young Investigator Travel Award

This award-winning study highlights the potential of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to rapidly treat mental health conditions that have been resistant to antidepressant treatment.

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William Bobo

William Bobo Appointed Section Editor for Pharmacoepidemiology in JCAP

JCAP is a leading international, peer-reviewed journal that focuses on the clinical and translational aspects of psychopharmacology and neurotherapeutic interventions for children, adolescents, young adults, and adults with neurodevelopmental disorders. 

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Roxann Mouratidis

Roxann Mouratidis Elected President of the Florida Health Sciences Library Association

The FHSLA works to foster the development of medical libraries in Florida in accordance with professional standards, to inspire and educate medical library personnel, and to implement the exchange of library materials and services.

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Javier Rosado

Javier Rosado Receives FSU 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month Distinguished Service Award

This award recognizes and celebrates a faculty or staff member who enhances cultural awareness and fosters a deeper understanding of the contributions of the Hispanic community’s contributions to the landscape of FSU.

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In Fiscal Year 2025, we reached significant

milestones in Active Awards!
 

Active Awards Highlights. 40 Grants & Contracts. Total Funding Amount: $41,335,932.

New Faculty & Staff

 

William Bobo

William Bobo, M.D., MPH

Professor

Faculty Profile

Laura Reid Marks

Laura Reid Marks, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Faculty Profile

Bonnie Springs

Bonnie Spring, Ph.D.

Professor

Faculty Profile

Regan Bailey

Regan Bailey, Ph.D.

Professor

Faculty Profile

Donald English

Donald English, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Licensed Psychologist

Faculty Profile

Wendy Rounds

Wendy Rounds

Program Associate

Staff Profile

Mary Barber

Mary Barber

Prgrm Mgr, Budget & Fin Svcs

Staff Profile

Rob Reid

Robert Reid

Program Associate

Staff Profile

Keri Gladhill

Keri Gladhill

Program Manager, Science & Research

Staff Profile

Wellness

 

Take a moment to breathe and reflect as you enjoy these beautiful images, a gentle reminder to embrace the peace and tranquility that surrounds us.
 

Chapman Wellness Garden
Chapman Wellness Garden, FSU College of Medicine

 

St. Marks Lighthouse
St. Marks Lighthouse, Florida

 

Leon Sinks Geological Area, Florida
Leon Sinks Geological Area, Florida

 

Bratislava Castle Garden
Bratislava Castle, Slovakia

 

Lake Neusiedl
Lake Neusiedl, Austria

 

Lago de Brailes
Lago di Brailes, Italy


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