Nichole Kelly
Biography
Professor Kelly’s research interests are in eating behaviors, body image beliefs, weight stigma, and chronic disease risk. She has specific interests in cognitive and emotional mechanisms for eating behaviors associated with poor mental health and increased chronic disease risk, such as binge or loss of control eating. Her program of research utilizes a diverse array of research methods including experimental paradigms; test meals; dietary recalls; neuropsychological evaluations; ecological momentary assessments; actigraphy; and digital applications to track nature exposure. She aims to highlight the voices and experiences of those who have traditionally been understudied and underserved in eating, body image, and health related literature, including men, individuals in rural communities, and adults with diverse ethnic, racial, sexual orientation and gender identities. Ultimately, her program of research aims to inform the development and evaluation of culturally-informed theories and interventions for the equitable promotion of health and well-being.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Much of my science is dedicated to centering the voices and experiences of those who have been underrepresented and underserved. Some examples of our team’s ongoing initiatives include: overhauling the language and health promotion methods we use to avoid stigmatization and enhance inclusivity, and advocating for these changes among the local health agencies we partner with; creating and evaluating educational interventions targeting individual and systemic perpetrators of bias and discrimination; improving health behavior-related disparities in marginalized communities; and applying culturally-sensitive approaches to examine and adapt existing psychological theories among those whose experiences have not historically been considered. Ultimately, we aim to use inclusive outreach and research practices in psychological science to create a positive and equitable impact on individuals’ and communities’ health and well-being.
Education
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Behavioral Health Psychology, August 2013-2016
Uniformed Services University and National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD
Doctor of Philosophy, Counseling Psychology, August 2013
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, May 2004
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Publications
To see her full list of publications, visit her PubMed.
Research
Ongoing research initiatives in Professor Kelly’s lab include: 1) Theoretical investigations of young men’s disordered eating symptoms using ecological momentary assessment data; 2) Evaluating strategies to improve children’s eating behaviors by targeting their neurocognitive functioning; 3) Evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of remote-delivered single session interventions to reduce disordered eating symptoms and improve mood among adults and families; 4) Evaluating brief interventions to reduce weight bias and discrimination in places of employment; 5) Examining the links among physical activity, sleep, nature exposure, social media use, and mood in adolescents using objectively collected data; and 6) Evaluating the effects of social media on food and alcohol disturbance.