New Professor Studies Effects of Emotions, Risky Behaviors, Chronic Pain

Melissa Cyders View print-quality image

Clinical psychologist Melissa Cyders, Ph.D., will join the Department of Psychology, part of the Purdue School of Science at IUPUI, to extend research on the integration of clinical psychology and neuropsychological concepts.

Cyders specifically will study how extreme emotions, whether positive or negative, can lead to more impulsive behavior, and corresponding brain activities, neurotransmitter functions and temperaments via neuroimaging techniques.

“I am very thrilled to be able to study health psychology on a campus rich with resources in science, medicine and social health,” Cyders said. “Having a multi-disciplinary approach to a problem gives the best possible picture of the challenge so we can better develop interventions or therapeutic solutions.”

Some examples of Cyders’ previous work include the effects emotions, such as depression and chronic anxiety, have on pain; how emotional experiences increase the use of alcohol, drugs and other risky behaviors; as well as the reciprocal relationship between chronic pain and post traumatic stress disorder.

“Dr. Cyders brings an interesting perspective on the direct correlation between mental and physical health that meshes well with our existing studies in psychology,” said Bart Ng, dean of the School of Science. Cyders work will provide great research opportunities for IUPUI students and help provide evidence to develop emotion-based interventions to the medical community in the future, he said.

The Web site www.science.iupui.edu provides additional information about Cyders and the Purdue School of Science at IUPUI.