Behavioral sciences division
Overview: The Mission of the Behavioral Sciences Division is to improve public health by utilizing team science to develop, test, and implement biobehavioral interventions. Team science relies on a continuous cycle of interaction between basic scientists, translational researchers, treatment providers, and communities. Behavioral Sciences includes core and affiliated faculty throughout the university with expertise in basic, clinical, community, and population research and education.
Education: In addition to planned expansion of contributions to the MPH program and established collaborations with the MD/PhD program, Behavioral Sciences faculty are evaluating three innovative educational programs: 1) Integration of behavior change communication training into medical residency training; 2) GRA program in Diabetes and Obesity Team Science associated with WSU Multidisciplinary Research Incubator Program; 3) ROBUST postdoctoral fellowship. Faculty have been working with NIH on disseminating new methods for behavioral intervention trials including two NIH workshops, and a recent K award focuses on the development of a technology-based intervention targeting obesity and alcohol use.
Service: Behavioral Sciences' faculty are committed to engaging and serving community partners including training community providers in evidence based interventions (e.g., WIC, AIDS Partnership of Michigan, Midwest AIDS Education and Training), and being a founding member of the State of Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance. We also founded a summer camp for children affected by HIV. Finally, faculty members serve on search committees and IRB committees, and one faculty member (Ellis) is currently IRB chair of the Social/Behavioral/Education/VA/Prisoner Research Committee.
Learn more about our Behavioral Health Division members:
Deborah Ellis, Division Chief