Laboratory Director
Samantha Farris, Ph.D.
Dr. Samantha Farris is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and is the Director of The Rutgers Emotion, Health and Behavior (REHAB) Laboratory. Dr. Farris received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at The University of Houston, and completed her psychology internship at the Alpert Medical School at Brown University. She completed fellowships in cancer prevention at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and in cardiovascular behavioral medicine at The Miriam Hospital/Alpert Medical School at Brown University. Dr. Farris has published over 80 peer-reviewed publications and has received continuous funding for her research from the National Institutes of Health, including the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; National Cancer Institute; and National Institute on Drug Abuse. Dr. Farris’ research focuses on understanding how and why stress and anxiety (i.e., worry, fear, panic) commonly co-occur with and contribute to problematic health behaviors and chronic disease. There is recognition that major health disparities exist in the prevalence and consequences of preventable chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, cancers) in individuals with high levels of stress and anxiety; however, the psychological processes underlying these health inequalities are not understood. Dr. Farris and The REHAB Laboratory utilize an experimental therapeutics approach to (a) identify fearful thoughts and reactions to stress/anxiety (“cognitive and emotional risk factors”) that contribute to health behaviors and physical disease, (b) isolate how these risk factors influence health behaviors “in real time” through use of laboratory methodologies, and in turn (c) develop tailored interventions that target these risk factors to promote health behavior change and prevent the onset or progression of chronic disease.
Mindy is a post-baccalaureate researcher entering her first year at the Rutgers University Clinical Psychology Ph.D.program. Her focus is on the ways in which transdiagnostic cognitive-affective vulnerabilities as well as psychophysiological parameters are dysregulated in the context of internalizing psychopathology and health risk behaviors and chronic illness. Mindy is interested in work that further characterizes how these biopsychosocial variables are inter-related and can be leveraged to improve both physical and mental health outcomes by promoting well-being and positive health behaviors as well as reducing patient distress and supporting resilience and recovery. She hopes to be involved with dissemination and implementation of best practices in behavioral and medical health care, informed by cutting-edge research and technologies, while valuing the unique humanity and dignity of each individual patient. As a future health-care professional,Mindy aims to disseminate resources and design policies which will reduce mental and physical health disparities while creating an atmosphere of inclusion and affirmation for diverse populations. 
Rachel Rosen is a second-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at Rutgers. Prior to coming to Rutgers, Rachel earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and subsequently worked as a Research Assistant in the Department of Addiction Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. There, she served as a coordinator on two NIAAA-funded studies investingating adaptations of alcohol behavioral couple therapy for service members and veterans. At Rutgers, in her primary research lab, Rachel is working on a NIDA-funded study looking at enhancing task persistence among smokers with schizophrenia. More broadly, Rachel is interested in understanding how different risk and protective factors (e.g. co-occuring health and mental conditions, stigma, self-efficacy, motivation) influence treatment engagement and outcome among adults with tobacco and other substance use. In the REHAB Laboratory, Rachel is taking on a clinical role in diagnostic procedures for the Smoking Health Evaluation (SHE) study.
Erick is a PhD student in the Clinical Psychology program at Rutgers, under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Contrada. His primary interest is furthering our understanding the etiology, maintenance, and treatment of anxiety disorders by using psychophysiology. In particular, he is interested in the neural and autonomic processes that undelie dysregulated emotion in anxiety. He has experience utilizing EEG, EKG, and salivary hormone assay methods. He is currently assisting in the REHAB lab as a clinician on the ongoing studies of exercise promotion for patients in cardiac rehabilitation.
Gloria is a senior in the School of Arts and Sciences Honors Program majoring in Psychology and minoring in English Literature. She is interested in studying the risk and protective factors for the development of depression and anxiety disorders in at-risk youth, as well as examining the socioeconomic and sociocultural factors that may impact a person's mental and physical health. Before joining the REHAB lab, she was a Research Assistant for the RICH Lab at Rutgers. Her goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology after graduation, but currently she is focused on expanding her understanding of the clinical issues prevalent in the psychological field by working with the REHAB team!
Neha is a senior in the School of Arts and Sciences pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in Cognitive Science. She is interested in studying different types of treatments for mood and anxiety disorders in women and children. She plans to get a Master’s degree in Applied Psychology at Rutgers University and then continue working towards a PsyD or PhD in clinical psychology. This is Neha’s first time working in a psychology research lab and she hopes to gain skills and knowledge that can help her in her future education and career.
Michelle is a senior in the School of Arts and Sciences, double majoring in Psychology and Exercise Science. Her primary researct interest is the impact of chronic stress and anxiety disorders on health. She is also interested in exercise interventions and developing effective programs to influence positive health behavior change. Michelle also serves as a research assistant in the Exercise Psychophysiology Lab, headed by Dr. Brandon Alderman, and will utilize the insight and experience gained in both labs to prepare her to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. 
Tonai is a senior in the School of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Dance. She is interested in the impact of chronic stress and anxiety disorders on women and children's health. Before joining the REHAB Lab, she served as a Research Assistant for the Interactive Virtual Training Lab for Early Career Teachers at Rutgers, as well as a Scholar for the Institute for Research on Women. Her goal is to pursue a joint M.D. and Ph.D. post graduation, but is currently enjoying gaining more research experience and knowledge about women's psychological health at the REHAB Lab!
Psychology Building
Undergraduate Advising at Tillett Hall