Miami Campus
Biography of Kristen Farrell-Turner
Kristen Farrell-Turner, Ph.D., is from Fremont, OH. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2000 with a B.A. in Psychology, and then completed a M.S. in Kinesiology (Exercise Physiology concentration) at University of Michigan in 2002. While enrolled at the University of Michigan, she worked as a research assistant in the Ob/Gyn department, recruiting study subjects and collecting data for studies investigating pelvic floor function (uterine prolapse and incontinence) among middle-aged women. From 2002-2005, she worked as a research associate in the Ob/Gyn department at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, OH on studies related to placenta function in women with gestational diabetes and resultant health of neonates and children (aged up to 11 years) born to mothers with gestational diabetes.
In 2005, Dr. Farrell-Turner began pre-doctoral studies in the Health Psychology track at the University of Miami, earning her M.S. in 2007 and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2011. She completed her clinical internship at Citrus Health Network, Inc. in Doral, FL, and her post-doctoral fellowship at the VA Healthcare System, Bruce W. Carter Medical Center (Consult & Liaison, Integrated Health/Patient Aligned Care Teams) in Miami, FL.
Research interests lie primarily within health psychology and behavioral medicine; specifically in the area of inflammation and its relationship with both medical/chronic disease outcomes and adverse psychosocial outcomes. Specific chronic diseases of particular interest include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Also of particular interest are the numerous ways physical activity benefits both physiological and psychological functioning across the lifespan. Dr. Farrell-Turner has published several peer-reviewed articles on gestational diabetes and resultant child health, the relationship between inflammatory markers and psychosocial functioning, psychosocial functioning and medication adherence among individuals with heart failure, and the interactions of physiological and psychological factors in polycystic ovary syndrome.
In addition to academia, Dr. Farrell-Turner has a small private practice (psychotherapy) and also has a 2-year old son.
