Childhood Trauma Survivors With High Heart Rate Variability are More Resilient When Grieving Spouse
June 20, 2023
Surviving the Loneliness Epidemic
May 17, 2023
April 28, 2020
April 2, 2020
Can Stress, Loneliness and Sleep Deprivation Make You More Prone to COVID-19?
March 31, 2020
Loneliness, stress can make you more prone to COVID-19
March 26, 2020
Loneliness And Stress May Put You At Greater Risk For COVID-19
March 20, 2020
How stress and loneliness can make you more likely to get COVID-19
March 19, 2020
Watch on Apple TV: Luz Garcini featured on Oprah
March 5, 2020
Getting to Know You…Fagundes: An interview with the 2020 Herbert Weiner Early Career Award Recipient Interview by Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, PhD (page 5-6)
March 4, 2020
These are 4 medical innovations coming out of Houston institutions
February 17, 2020
Keeping a stiff upper lip can hurt your health following death of a loved one
February 3, 2020
Dr. Fagundes receives career award from American Psychosomatic Society
December 3, 2019
Alzheimer’s effect on spouse’s health focus of new Rice study
July 15, 2019
Undocumented Mexican immigrants plagued by loss and distress
April 30, 2019
Can music slow mental decline? Rice researchers aim to find out
March 25, 2019
Death of loved ones is hard on undocumented immigrants
March 14, 2019
Undocumented immigrants report stress, psychological and physical loss
February 4, 2019
2018 Excellence in Health Psychology Research by an Early Career Professional Award – Christopher P. Fagundes, PhD
November 13, 2018
Grief linked to sleep disturbances that can be bad for the heart
November 9, 2018
Grief Tied to Death
October 25, 2018
Severe Grief Can Lead to Fatal Inflammation
October 24, 2018
For the brokenhearted, grief can lead to death
October 22, 2018
Biomarkers link fatigue in cancer, Parkinson’s
August 9, 2018
Nearly 70 percent of undocumented Mexican immigrants report discrimination
June 16, 2018
Dr. Fagundes awarded 2018 Excellence in Health Psychology by an Early Career Professional Award
May 25, 2018
Dr. Fagundes was awarded the American Psychological Association’s award for excellence in health psychology in recognition of his outstanding original research work within 10 years of earning his terminal degree. Find out more here.
Dr. Fagundes awarded the 2018 Neal Miller New Investigator Award
May 4, 2018
Dr. Fagundes was selected to receive this award from the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research because of his contribution to behavioral medicine through imaginative methods coupled with carefully controlled studies. Find out more here.
BMED Collaborates in Brazil
May 2018
We flew to Brazil in May 2018 to build collaborations with Hospital de Amor. This trip included speakers from institutions in Houston and Brazil who discussed either their research focus and how they could offer support or problems that needed innovative solutions. This interdisciplinary meeting allowed researchers from these institutions to build collaborations around solving real-world problems. Students also participated in a “Hack-a-thon” competition.
Loss of spouse could make one more likely to ‘die of a broken heart’
April 30, 2018
Risk factors developed after loss of spouse could increase likelihood of ‘dying of a broken heart’
March 8, 2018
Violence against women crossing the border
March 8, 2018
Dr. Garcini on Houston Public Media – Houston Matters
February 8, 2018
Listen to Dr. Garcini talk to Houston Matters about the mental health needs of immigrants who face uncertainty after the termination of DACA.
Diez herramientas para cuidar tu salud en la era post-DACA
December 30, 2017
Trauma Greets Many Illegal Immigrants in U.S.
November 15, 2017
Dr. Garcini in U.S. News & World Report – Health
November 15, 2017
The American dream is nightmarish for many illegal immigrants. More than three-quarters living in a city near the California-Mexico border have suffered a traumatic event, a new study reveals. The result: Many are living with significant psychological distress, say researchers from Rice University in Houston.
“Our findings are alarming,” said study lead author Luz Garcini, a postdoctoral research fellow in the department of psychology.
Study Finds Massive Trauma Among Undocumented Immigrants
November 11, 2017
El 82% de mexicanos que habitan la frontera sufren traumas severos
November 8, 2017
“Me siento derrotada”: el 82% de los mexicanos que habitan la frontera sufren traumas severos
November 8, 2017
Mayoría de inmigrantes indocumentados en frontera tiene historial de trauma, dice informe
November 8, 2017
Study finds history of trauma among undocumented immigrants residing near California-Mexico border
November 8, 2017
What the Undocumented Immigrant Experience Means for Mental Health
November 3, 2017
Estudio: inmigrantes sufren trastornos mentales
November 2, 2017
Immigrants living in the country without authorization at risk for anxiety and depression
November 1, 2017
Casi el 25 % de indocumentados que vive en la frontera sufre de trastorno mental
October 31, 2017
Almost A Quarter Of Undocumented Immigrants Living Near The Border Live With Mental Illness & These Are The Resources They Need
October 31, 2017
Illegal Immigration Can Cause Anxiety, Depression
October 31, 2017
Dr. Garcini finds that immigrants living in the country without authorization at risk for anxiety and depression
October 30, 2017
See news coverage in Spanish and English
Immigrants living in the country without authorization at risk for anxiety and depression
October 30, 2017
Disaster makes people with depression less healthy
October 23, 2017
Research: The psychological distress of Dreamers
August 11, 2017
Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Dr. Luz Garcini, makes news with her timely research
August 11, 2017
Young adult immigrants who came to the United States as children are at a high risk of suffering from mental health distress. Luz Garcini, a postdoctoral fellow in the BMED Lab who studied the health of unauthorized Latino immigrants and deportees, found they face unique stressors due to their complicated social and legal status. As a clinical practitioner, she’s found that good jobs, family cohesion, and a sense of religious or spiritual faith seem to be the strongest factors that help immigrants cope and maintain a sense of hope. See coverage from the Houston Chronicle
Young undocumented immigrants showing signs of PTSD
August 11, 2017
As Fear Of Deportations Rises, Children Show Signs Of PTSD
August 10, 2017
Anxiety sensitivity moderates the painful effects of feeling burdensome to othersA
August 9 2017
Study: Millennial Illegal Immigrants At Highest Risk For Psychological Distress, ‘Live In Constant Fear Of Deportation’
August 8, 2017
DREAMers at greater risk for mental health distress
July 27, 2017
Link between heart disease risk factors and depression is biological, not behavioral
May 10, 2017
Graduate Student, Angie LeRoy, in the News for recent Loneliness & Cold Symptoms Publication
March 30, 2017
Our recent publication in Health Psychology has been highlighted via hundreds of media outlets. Angie LeRoy, a graduate student member of the BMED research team, along with Dr. Fagundes, were interviewed for articles written for TIME, NPR, and Newsweek, to name a few. In addition, this publication received coverage from both local and national television news sources. This research demonstrated how loneliness impacts the severity of cold symptoms when an individual is infected with the common cold. Explore the links below to learn more about these findings!
Click on the links to view articles written by: TIME, NPR, Newsweek, USA Today, Philadelphia Daily News, LA Times, The CW, Infection Control Today
Newsfix Local News Coverage (see video on Newsfix webpage)
How Close Friends Keep You From Feeling Sick
March 30, 2017
Dr. Kyle Murdock in News for recent Diabetes Publication
January 1, 2017
Dr. Kyle Murdock, a postdoctoral research fellow at the BMED Lab, was highlighted on BottomLineInc for his publication, which demonstrates how high levels of stress and anxiety can increase your risk of developing type II diabetes. In addition, Dr. Murdock showed how developing your “inhibition,” or your ability to ignore distracting thoughts, can act as a protective factor in diabetes risk. Check out the news article here.
Low socio-economic status, fear of abandonment can lead to poor adult health
October 13, 2016
A new paper by BMED postdoctoral fellow Dr. Kyle Murdock and Principle Investigator Dr. Christopher Fagundes has created some waves in the Rice News. Recently, an article came out discussing their publication, titled “Attachment Orientations, Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia, and Stress are Important for Understanding the Link between Childhood Socioeconomic Status and Adult Self-Reported Health,” and the ways childhood is crucial to understanding health, even as an adult. Check out the news article here and read the full paper here.
Psychology’s Fagundes receives Robert Ader New Investigator Award
September 14, 2016
BMED Lab Featured in U.S News Article about Self-Reported Health
August 16, 2016
Dr. Murdock spoke with U.S. News writers about the implications of the most recent Psychoneuroendocrinology publication from the BMED Lab, which details the importance of patients’ self-reported health as a predictor of long-term morbidity. Click here to check out the article’s discussion on when a patient should trust their gut instinct about their health.
New Publication from the BMED Lab Makes Big Waves in the Media
July 15, 2016
A new study co-authored by BMED Lab members Dr. Fagundes, Dr. Murdock, and Vansh Vohra has received lots of media attention. Published in psychoneuroendocrinology, the paper discusses the importance of patients’ self-reported health as a predictor of long-term morbidity and mortality. This week, the New York Times and Rice News have published articles about the importance of their findings for the medical community.
The BMED Team loves a friendly competition!
Congratulations to our research assistants Sally, Amani, Ryan, and Savannah! We had a lab competition to determine who could garner the most likes on our Facebook page. The winners spent the evening at Minute Maid Stadium watching the Houston Astros. Way to go, guys!
Dr. Christopher Fagundes selected to receive 2017 Robert Ader New Investigator Award
Congratulations to the BMED Lab’s Director, Dr. Christopher Fagundes! The field of psychoneuroimmunology has selected him as the recipient of the 2017 Robert Ader New Investigator Award, which is presented to young investigators who have made a substantial impact in the field of psychoneuroimmunology. We are proud to be working under the leadership of such an esteemed investigator. Congratulations!
Congratulations to Dr. Annina Seiler, a new Postdoctoral Fellow in the BMED Lab!
Dr. Annina Seiler will be joining the BMED Lab as a postdoctoral fellow this Fall. The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) awarded Dr. Seiler with a competitive training grant that will allow her to complete her research fellowship abroad. The SNSF grants are awarded to the most promising candidates through a competitive peer-review process. We are excited that Dr. Seiler chose to complete her research fellowship with the BMED team here at Rice University. For more information on these competitive SNSF postdoctoral grants that send researchers abroad, check out the link here.
Congratulations to Dr. Kyle Murdock!
June 6, 2016
Dr. Kyle Murdock recently published a paper, “Executive functioning and diabetes: The role of anxious arousal and inflammation” in Psychoneuroendocrinology, which outlines the physiological connection between executive functioning and Type II Diabetes. He was recently featured in the Rice media discussing the paper and its powerful implications. Check out the news report here.
Congratulations to Megan Lewis for her Award in the Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium.
One of our Research Assistants, Megan Lewis, presented research on the association between Childhood Family Environment and Post-Treatment Symptom Burden in Breast Cancer Survivors. She received third place in the Social Science Division at the Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium (RURS). Congratulations, Megan!
Congratulations to Diana Chirinos, a New Postdoctoral Fellow in the BMED Lab!
March 28, 2016
Click here to learn more about Diana, who will be joining the BMED Lab as a Postdoctoral Fellow this Summer. We are so excited to have Diana join the BMED team!
Inflammation can fan the flames of depression – Video
Hear Dr. Fagundes’ full segment on NPR’s Houston Matters
November 2, 2015
View this story on ABC Houston
October 26, 2015
Study seeks cause of fatal bereavement
