Meet the Team

Dr. Birmingham's program of research is guided by previous research indicating that the quality and quantity of one’s social relationships are linked to lower morbidity and mortality and protect against the adverse effect of stress. Her research focuses on two pathways linking relationship quality and quantity to health outcomes: physiological pathways and behavioral pathways. In terms of examining physiological pathways, she is interested in how marital relationship quality and family processes can impact blood pressure, a predictor of cardiovascular disease risk. In terms of examining behavioral pathways, she is interested in how relationship processes such as relationship quality, familial support and influence, spousal support and influence, and patient-provider influence can impact behaviors such as cancer screening adherence (e.g., HPV vaccination adherence, colorectal cancer screening adherence, mammography adherence), and diet and lifestyle choices, specifically in individuals who are at increased risk for cancer due to a family history.

Education:

Postdoc, Cancer Control , Huntsman Cancer Institute (2013)

PhD, Social Psychology , Health Psychology, University of Utah (2011)

MS, Social Psychology , Health Psychology, University of Utah (2009)

Ava Gunderson is a psychology major working towards law school and is from Pittsburgh, PA. She plans on becoming a lawyer and proving to the world that women can be fashionable and serious in a courtroom (along with winning her cases, of course). Ava is interested in interpersonal relationships and how they impact the psyche. In her free time she watches TV, lifts weights, runs, reads psychology books, plays Minecraft, and spends time with her close friends and family.

Mike Brugger is a psychology major minoring in Spanish from Rexburg, Idaho. He served a mission in San Bernardino, California, and developed a love for helping and serving others. After BYU, he plans to attend graduate school and obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology. In his free time, Mike enjoys running, rock climbing, playing the guitar, and listening to music.

Tessa Thornbrue is a psychology major from San Diego and returned missionary from Jacksonville, Florida. After BYU, she plans to attend graduate school to become an LCSW and therapist. She enjoys laughing with her friends and family, reading, running, baking, and lifting weights.

Elijah Ward is a psychology major and Spanish minor from Charleston, South Carolina. He served a mission in Ogden, Utah where he served the people there and met his wife. He is happily living in Provo and going to school. He plans on going to graduate school, getting his PsyD, and eventually becoming a clinical psychologist. He enjoys judo, soccer, working as an EMT, and playing piano.

Carter Perry is a psychology major from La Grande, Oregon. He recently served a mission in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico. Following graduate school, he hopes to continue serving others as a health psychologist. Some of his favorite past times are sports, reading, singing, being outdoors, and sleeping.

Landrie Kinsey is a psychology major from Vacaville, California. After returning from her mission in Washington, she developed a passion for understanding human behavior and exploring the factors that influence how people think and act. After graduating from BYU, she plans on attending graduate school in hopes of teaching at the university level. She loves being with friends, hiking, listening to music, and watching movies.