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)

Abby is a Psychology major from Boston, Massachusetts. She plans on attending graduate school to study Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on health and social psychology. Her prior research experience at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston studying cardiometabolic diseases led to an interest in how psychological factors affect cardiovascular risks. Her goal is to become an academic clinical psychologist and researcher in the fields of health and social psychology. In her free time, Abby enjoys skiing, hiking, traveling, watching movies, and spending time with her friends, family, and husband.

Kelsie is a Psychology major minoring in German. She is from Provo, Utah, and after graduating, she wants to attend graduate school to study Social Psychology since she is interested in how social factors affect an individual’s psychology. Specifically, she wants to learn more about how these social factors affect racism, discrimination, and prejudices. In her free time, she likes learning K-pop choreographies, drawing, and figure skating. She longs for fall every year just to eat more pomegranates.

Mike 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.