Director
Contact Information
phone: (317) 274-6761
office: LD 100E
Jesse C. Stewart
Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Psychology, School of Science, IUPUI
Affiliated Scientist, Indiana University Center for Aging Research and Regenstrief Institute
Faculty Scientist, Indiana University Diabetes Translational Research Center
Member, Indiana University Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases
I’m a Professor of Psychology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, better known as IUPUI. Since its launch in 2006, I've also been directing the CBM Lab. I have a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Ohio University, and I completed postdoctoral training in cardiovascular behavioral medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. My primary research interests are: (1) psychosocial risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases, (2) biobehavioral mechanisms underlying psychosocial factor-cardiometabolic disease relationships, and (3) psychosocial interventions as primary prevention approaches for cardiometabolic diseases.
I'm also a self-taught (read: below average) guitar player and a music gear hoarder. My last two big scores were a Gretsch Catalina drum kit and a 1950’s all-tube Westinghouse record player console. My daughter and son love them…my wife, not so much. I'm also a lover of craft beer, indie rock, and the outdoors, especially when combined.
PhD Students
Christopher A. Crawford
I am a second-year doctoral student at IUPUI in the clinical health psychology emphasis area. I completed my B.A. in Psychology at Indiana University South Bend (IUSB) and thereafter began working at Riley Hospital for Children in cardiovascular genetics research. I became interested in the ways that psychosocial factors affect the pathogenesis of the cardiometabolic disease and ways of accounting for this in integrative models. In the CBM lab, I plan to explore psychosocial factors that impact the relationships between depression and cardiometabolic diseases, with a future goal of investigating the role that genetics may play in these relationships. In my free time, I collaborate on research projects (mainly in cognitive metaphor theory through the Cognitive Representations Lab at IUSB, but also in whatever else piques my interest), listen to and play music, sample local brews, and play board games.
Matthew D. Schuiling
I am a first-year doctoral student at IUPUI in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program, specializing in Health Psychology. I completed my B.A. in Biology and Psychology from Hope College in 2019. I then spent two years at Northwestern University in Chicago researching anxiety and depression comorbid with narcolepsy and the development of behavioral interventions relating to sleep disorders. I am excited to continue researching the connection between mental and physical health with the CBM lab. In my free time I enjoy doing improv comedy, expanding my musical ability and tastes, and learning whatever new hobby has piqued my interest in the given month.
Aubrey L. Shell
I am a fifth-year doctoral candidate in the CBM Lab and the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program, specializing in Health Psychology. I earned my B.A. in Psychology from Cedarville University and my M.S. in Clinical Psychology here at IUPUI. My research examines psychosocial factors that may contribute to obesity and diabetes-related health issues, with a particular focus on somatic depressive symptoms and emotional overeating. I enjoy spending quality time outdoors or watching sports with my husband and son, exercising, and checking items off my many to-do lists.
Michelle K. Williams
I am a second-year doctoral student on the clinical health psychology track at IUPUI. I graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Educational Studies. At UF I went on to complete medical science coursework and conducted research on wellness interventions and the psychosocial factors that influence the experience of pain in people with chronic pain. I am excited to continue to explore the interaction between psychological factors and chronic medical conditions as a member of the CBM lab. My main interests include examining the interaction between depression, anxiety, and cardiometabolic diseases with a focus on interventions and health disparities. In my free time, I enjoy reading, salsa dancing, and doing music covers.
Depression Care Specialist
Krysha MacDonald
Hello! I'm Krysha - a licensed mental health counselor, the depression care specialist for the eIMPACT-DM Trial, and the CBM Lab morale booster/cheerleader. I graduated from Ball State University with a M.A. in Clinical Psychology and have 18+ years of mental health experience, ranging from school-based services to being an integrated behavioral health specialist in primary care settings. When I am not in the lab, you can find me at the kickboxing studio, out at a festival, seeing live music, or outdoors participating in something active - most recently completing my first half-marathon. Truth be told, I'm active mostly to allow for another passion - good, locally sourced food and craft beverages. I'm also an avid animal advocate, rescuer, foster parent, and proud mama of 3 bully fur babies.
Research Assistants
Alexis Higgins
I am a post-bac researcher. I obtained a BS in Neurobiology from Arizona State University and my MS in Anatomy and Cell Biology from Indiana Univeristy's school of Medicine. I hope to continue my studies into a doctorate, whether philisophical or medical. I am interested in so many parts of the human experience, but especially biophysical psychology and cognitive neuroscience. I hope to use my interest in these areas to help as many people as I can. Outside of lab, I love spending time with my family, friends, and my cat Jelly (see pet page!), absolutely binge-watching shows from pilot to finale, and listening to podcasts.
Sylee Kanetkar
I am an undergraduate student at Purdue University who serves as a research assistant in the CBM lab. I am currently majoring in Brain and Behavioral Sciences with an interest in behavioral medicine. I am interested in the many ways good behavioral health can be promoted in primary care and emergency medicine settings. In the future, I hope to become a physician and aid patients in any way I can. Apart from lab activities and schoolwork, I enjoy playing the flute, coffee, watching reality TV (far too much!), and learning to cook many different cuisines.
Rachel Jackson
I'm a prospective graduate student with a keen interest in clinical health psychology, who serves as a research assistant in the CBM lab. My undergraduate studies consist of both Psychology and Media Arts and Science. I am passionate about exploring how life impacts us from a biopsychosocial perspective and how these features can be used to support someone in positive ways and increase their quality of life. Outside of research and schoolwork, I enjoy rock climbing, rainy days in a cafe, movie nights with friends, reading, and traveling.
Alumni
Desiree Zielke, 2012
Clinical Psychologist, Becoming Balanced, Fargo, ND
Misty A.W. Hawkins, 2013
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Mary, Bismark, ND
Tasneem Khambaty, 2015
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland – Baltimore County
Jessica Berntson, 2018
Registered Psychologist, Health + Anxiety Psychology Practice, North Vancouver, BC
Elizabeth A. Vrany, 2018
Assistant Professor, Institute of Health System Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health and Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Virgil Gonzenbach, 2018
Graduate Student, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania
Kaitlyn Walsh, 2019
Doctoral Student, Social & Personality Psychology, Texas A&M University
Brittanny M. Polanka, 2020
Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota
Loretta Hsueh, 2020
Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Jay S. Patel, 2021
Postdoctoral Fellow, Neuropsychology, Mayo Clinic