Melissa Buelow

My research program focuses on decision making and other executive functions. Specifically, she investigates emotionally-based decision making, its predictors, and its outcomes. For example, why do individuals make risky decisions, such as engaging in underage alcohol use or illicit drug use? Why do individuals with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease decide to undergo different types of treatments with varying levels of side effects?

I am interested in the examination of factors that can negatively, or even positively, affect performance on cognitive tests. Is it feasible that we might diagnose someone with a dementia, when in fact the cognitive deficits seen on testing were due solely to severe insomnia? How can we better tease apart the effects of extraneous factors to arrive at a conclusion? How can we better measure effort during testing?

I am always looking for interested and hard working undergraduates to aid in designing and conducting research studies. In addition to my main areas of research, I am interested and willing to supervise student research projects that are broadly within the areas of clinical psychology and neuropsychology. If you are interested in working in my lab, please contact me.

Education

Ph.D. (2009). Ohio University (Clinical Psychology, with specializations in: Health Psychology/Neuropsychology and Applied Quantitative Psychology)

M.S. (2005). Ohio University (Clinical Psychology)

B.S. (2003). University of Richmond (Psychology)

Areas of Expertise

Decision-Making and Executive Functions

Risk-Taking Behaviors

Neuropsychological Assessment and Statistical Issues

Clinical Psychology