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Featuring Dr. Julienne Bower, PhD, UCLA
Discussion Moderated by Michael Hoyt, PhD
This lecture will focus on the interactions between psychology and the immune system in cancer patients and survivors through examination of the links among the central nervous system, the immune system, and tumor biology. A central focus of Dr. Bower’s work is on the translation of basic findings in psychoneuroimmunology into effective behavioral interventions for cancer patients and survivors.
Core questions include: how do positive psychological factors, such as benefit finding, positive affect, and well-being, influence physical health? What are the biological pathways that link positive psychological states and health outcomes? What are the immune effects of mood and behavior, including fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbance? What interventions have potential to influence immune and neuroendocrine function after cancer?
Dr. Bower is Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Associate Director of the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, and affiliated with the Center for Cancer Prevention and Control Research at UCLA.
This event is co-sponsored by the UCI Program in Public Health & the UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Research and Teaching Interests:
Dr. Bower’s research focuses broadly on mind-body interactions among individuals confronting stressful life events, particularly diagnosis with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer. One area of her research examines how positive psychological factors, such as benefit finding, positive affect, and goal engagement, influence physical health, with a focus on the biological pathways that link positive psychological states and health outcomes. Another line of research examines immune effects on mood and behavior, including fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbance. Dr. Bower also conducts mind-body interventions (i.e., yoga, Tai Chi, and mindfulness meditation) with a focus on how these treatments influence immune and neuroendocrine function. Dr. Bower is associated with the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology and the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research at UCLA and provides trainees with didactic and research training in these areas.