1903 Low: Biobehavioral Oncology + Technology Lab

Supervising Faculty: Carissa Low, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine

Contact: Carissa Low, carissa.low@pitt.edu

Area of Research: Health psychology

Description of Research:  We are conducting several studies aimed at using mobile technology to remotely monitor and support patients undergoing cancer treatment. Our research uses smartphones and wearable sensors to track real-time changes in physical activity, sleep, and symptoms, detect deteriorations in health based on these data, and promote resilience and healthy behavior in the face of cancer.

Duties of Students:

  • Monitoring and managing patient-centered data
  • Helping with participant recruitment and assessments in cancer clinics
  • Communicating with study participants by phone, email, or mail or in-person as appropriate
  • Conducting bibliographic searches and literature reviews
  • Testing study smartphone applications and technology
  • Attending weekly lab meetings
  • If interested, analyzing data to write honors thesis and/or papers

Requirements:

  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • 12 credits of Psychology (including current term)
  • STAT 0200/1000/1100 Statistics
  • PSY 0036 Research Methods Lecture
  • PSY 0037 Research Methods Lab
  • Minimum two-semester commitment

Recruitment Process: Students who contact me are encouraged to send me their CV or resume so I can evaluate whether they have any prior research, patient-facing, or leadership experience indicative of the maturity and sensitivity required for our patient-facing research and whether their academic record to date suggests a long-standing interest in health psychology/medicine. Students who seem to be potentially good fit are scheduled for an interview with me so that I can learn more about their previous experiences and future goals and so that they can learn more about our research.

Terms offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Number of Students: 2-4

Lab websitewww.moshi.pitt.edu