FACULTY

 Kristen Salomon, Ph.D
  ksalomon@usf.edu

Dr. Salomon's work examines cardiovascular responses to stress, the psychological and social factors that moderate these responses, and how these work together to contribute to risk for cardiovascular disease. She has drawn on her multidisciplinary background of training in Psychophysiology, Health Psychology, and Social Psychology in pursuit of her research interests. Her goal throughout this diverse training has been to fully understand and integrate all aspects of a biopsychosocial perspective on stress, cardiovascular reactivity and risk for cardiovascular disease. For more information on Dr. Salomon's research interests and background, visit her USF faculty page.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

 Mona El-Hout, M.S. 
 melhout@mail.usf.edu

Mona came to USF in 2014. She received her B.S. in Psychology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and her M.S. in Health Psychology from the University of Michigan, Dearborn. Mona's work examines the effects of negative social interactions on cardiovascular reactivity and recovery, particularly the stress that results from racial discrimination and ambivalent sexist encounters. Mona is also interested in the effects of dehumanization of stigmatized groups in the U.S. on political and societal outcomes, as well as the effects of perceived discrimination and meta-dehumanization on those stigmatized groups. 

 Elizabeth Kiebel, M.S. 
 ekiebel@mail.usf.edu

Liz came to USF in 2015. She received her B.A./B.S in Psychology from Winona State and her M.S. in Psychology from Western Illinois University. Liz uses a multilevel approach that incorporates explicit, implicit, and psychophysiological measures to explore the cognitive and emotional underpinnings of sexism and sexual prejudice as well as targets' responses to prejudice and discrimination. Her current research focuses on the differential effects of hostile and benevolent sexism and factors that can increase women's resilience in academic and professional contexts. ​She is coadvised by Dr. Jennifer Bosson in the Gender & Interpersonal Dynamics Lab.

 Samantha Shepard
 samanthashep@mail.usf.edu ​

Samantha received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2017.  Her research focuses on the health implications of ambiguous forms of discrimination measuring cardiovascular reactivity and recovery. She is also interested in self-objectification’s role in health and professional outcomes, as well as political backlash to diversity.

​  FORMER GRADUATE STUDENTS

Paula Chapman, Ph.D
Paula.Chapman4@va.gov  ​

Dr. Castro-Chapman obtained her Ph.D. in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University in 2001, where her emphasis was on stress and coping. In 2004, she completed an NIMH Postdoctoral Fellowship at UC-San Diego, where she specialized in quantitative methods while continuing to study stress and coping. While a Postdoctoral Fellow, she simultaneously enrolled in the Applied Statistics Masters program at San Diego State University. Upon completion of the required course work, she briefly worked as a staff statistician in the VA until 2008. She is currently a Research Scientist with the VA at the James A Haley Polytrauma Center and Veterans Hospital, where she focuses on combat stress. In 2012, she began re-tooling her PHD, with a focus on Psychophysiology and PTSD at the University of South Florida Psychology Department. Her current interest is the clinical application of psychophysiology. Dr. Castro-Chapman is from a military family. Her father was an Air Force pilot who flew recon missions during the Iran-Contra Affair. She herself served as a Combat Medic and she has two brothers who have also served – one as a Physician’s Assistant in the Army Reserve, and the other as an Active Duty mechanic with the Army National Guard. In 2014, Dr. Castro-Chapman gave birth to twins – Jaxson Lorenzo and McKenzie Elizabeth.

RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

 Jessica Yanson
 jyanson@mail.usf.com

Jessie graduated with a B.A. in psychology and B.S. in Behavioral Healthcare from the University of South Florida. Jessie is a graduate student in the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Master’s program at the University of South Florida. Additionally, she is pursuing a certification in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her research interests include the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the Veteran population as well as the effects of PTSD on the family unit. Her primary method of data collection includes the use of clinical assessments as well as the use of psychophysiological assessment. 

Meghana Vantedhu
meghana@mail.usf.edu

I am a junior majoring in Biomedical Sciences. I hope to attend medical school in the future. Aside from being a research assistant, I am part of the Honors College, the president of Hope for the Homeless, and involved in the CLCE. In the little free time I have, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, shopping, going on adventures, and binge-watching Netflix!