My research focuses on the neurobiology of social behavior and how hormones play a role in regulating those behaviors. Together with Widener undergraduate biology majors, I work on projects ranging from brain and behavior studies in songbirds, stress physiology in fish, to testing gene therapy treatments for nervous system disorders in rodents. All of my projects are conducted at Widener, some of which are done in collaboration with researchers at larger institutions.
In my research, I explore the rich, diverse tapestry of human sexuality, recognizing the importance of acknowledging and respecting this diversity. Whether it’s addressing the challenges faced by sexuality professionals, or examining the complex issues surrounding sex, work, and ethics, my research pursuits aim to explore critical aspects of human sexuality in our ever-evolving world.
My main research interests include sexual ethics and diversity, cross-cultural sexuality, and Catholic sexual theology. I often research justice issues in the field of sexuality, examining issues of consent, sexual behaviors, sexual fantasy, trauma, and sexuality education
My research focuses on consumer behavior and digital marketing, with a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods. I investigate sources that generate consumer happiness and improve consumer well-being. My works have been published in the Review of Marketing Research and presented at conferences including Academy of Marketing Science and American Academy of Advertising.
My research focuses on translating teachers' knowledge into classroom practice.
My research interests include restaurant management, casino management, human resource management, lodging management, food and beverage management, food safety, organizational behavior/dynamics, labor relations, interpersonal communication dynamics, pedagogy in hospitality education, freshman studies/retention, assessment, and accreditation in higher education.
Dr. Love’s research sits at the intersection of faith, spirituality, and education. She employs qualitative and historical inquiry to explore topics related to spiritual wellness, organizational change, and social justice. Her work investigates how morals and values influence individual development, resilience, and purpose, and how these personal attributes connect to broader institutional outcomes such as retention, community building, and a sense of belonging.
My research interests include forest phenology/climatology, sustainable development, and tropical ecology.
My research interests include the treatment of rape victims by the criminal justice, medical and legal systems, the transformation of rape crisis centers, and the experiences and struggles of rape victim advocates, and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. In addition, I have conducted research on the effect of marijuana legalization on crime rates, mock jurors’ understanding of sentencing instructions, and students’ fear of crime on campus.
My research interests include modern Chinese history, race and ethnicity, and transnational history. I have published a number of book chapters, journal articles, and book reviews in these fields. I am currently working on a book manuscript on the history of Muslims in China.
My research interests include examining Black women's experiences in higher education, the opportunities and challenges of Predominantly Black Institutions, and how racialized minorities establish community at highly selective institutions.
My research is focused on high-energy variability in active galactic nuclei. Some galaxies have super massive black holes at their centers, which are actively pulling in matter. As gas falls into the black hole, it heats up and emits tremendous amounts of light. High-energy radiation (such as X-rays and gamma-rays) comes from the innermost regions near the black hole.
I study how these objects vary in brightness over time and use analysis techniques to put constraints on the physical parameters and geometry of the central black hole.
Impact of climate change on health and vulnerable communities
Disaster Preparedness
Student Success
My research interests include Biomedical signal processing, Biomedical image processing and Engineering Education.
Clinical Education
Domestic minor sex trafficking, complex trauma, trauma-informed care, helping clients gain access to mental health services, crisis intervention, and sexual health and education.
My research interests are in nonlinear phenomena such as granular materials.
My research interests lie in agency, moral responsibility and free will, metaphysics, the philosophy of action, applied ethics, and the intersections between these areas.
Much important philosophical work on moral responsibility and agency has traditionally focused on the positive aspects of our agency - what it is to be praiseworthy or blameworthy for our actions, what it is for our behaviors to belong to us, what it is to act intentionally, and so on? Much of my research centers on investigating the negative side of our agency - responsibility for our omissions, non-doings, etc. For instance, can I cause my plant to die by failing to water it, and can I be blameworthy for that omission?
In my dissertation "Much to Do about Non-Things: Exploring Agency and Responsibility Through Omissions," I defend a unified account of moral responsibility for actions and omissions based on abilities. I also explore several important resulting asymmetries between actions and omissions, which impact agency, regret, moral responsibility, luck, causation, and issues in applied ethics. I have also expanded this research to include collective omissions and failures to act. This involves exploring how we can contribute to collective harms – such as famines, climate change, and structural injustices – via our failures to act, in addition to our actions. I model when, why, and how we can be morally responsible for these contributions.
I also have projects on omissions of omissions (forgetting not to do something is importantly different than simply doing it) and impairments to agency found primarily in cults.
I (unfortunately) enjoy making bad puns in my writing.
