Krista Highland (They, Them, Their)

Krista entered the clinical psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Fall 2007. Their research interested involve examining genetic, emotional and physiological factors that predispose individuals to co-existing health risks. For example, their master equivalence project examines differential blood pressure responses to a stress among individuals with varying hypertension and smoking histories. Krista's dissertation examined the transgeneraltional effects of the health belief model among low-income families. 

Krista received their Bachelor of Science Degree at Black Hills State University where they were a dual major in biology and psychology. At Black Hills State University, they worked under Dr. Stoltenberg investigating the interaction between impulsivity and serotonin genotypes on high-risk behavior.

Krista completed their internship at The University of Washington Medical Center Behavioral Medicine/Neuropsychooogy Track and a Research Associate Position at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University.  They are currently a Research Assistant Professor and Deputy Director of Science at the Defense and Veterans Center for Integrative Pain Management within the Uniformed Services University.

Publications

Highland, K. B., Herschl, L., Klanecky, A., & McChargue, D. E. (2013). Biopsychosocial pathways to alcohol related problems. American Journal on Addictions.

Herschl, L. C., Highland, K. B., & McChargue, D. E.  (2012). Prenatal exposure to testosterone interacts with childhood physical abuse to predict anger rumination and executive functioning among incarcerated methamphetamine users. American Journal on Addictions.

Herschl, L. C., McChargue, D. E., MacKillop, J., Stoltenberg, S. F., & Highland, K. B. (2012). Implicit and explicit alcohol-related motivations among college binge drinkers. Psychopharmacology.

McChargue, D. E., Sankaranarayanan, J., Visovsky, C. G., Matthews, E. E., Highland, K. B., & Berger, A. M. (2012). Predictors of adherence to behavioral therapy sleep intervention during breast cancer chemotherapy. Supportive Care in Cancer, 20, 245-252.

Highland, K. B. & McChargue, D. E. (2011). Stress-induced cardiovascular reactivity among African American smokers. American Journal of Health Behaviors, 35, 51-59.

Stoltenberg, S. F., Christ, C. C., & Highland, K. B. Polymorphisms in serotonin system genes are associated with impulsivity. Manuscript submitted to Frontiers in Systems Biology.

Stoltenberg, S. F., Highland, K. B., Lehmann, M. K., Anderson, C., Nag, P., & Anagnopoulos, C. Polymorphisms in serotonin metabolism genes (TPH2 and MAOA) are associated with impulsivity. Manuscript submitted to Behavior Genetics.

Mahmoodian, M., Stoyanova, M., & Highland, K. B. A collaborative approach to chronic pain management in a primary care setting: A program to overcome challenges and barriers. Manuscript submitted to Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians Cornhusker Family Physician.

Published Abstracts

Highland, K. B, McChargue, D. E., Darrington, D. L., McIlvain, H. & Loberiza, F. R. (2010, March). Differences in the association of distress tolerance and spirituality on treatment perception of cancer survivors from rural and urban areas. Annals of Behavioral Medicine: Session Abstracts; 39 (Supplement 1): 168.

Highland, K. B., McChargue, D. (2009). DRD2 genotyping and obesity interaction predicts behavioral disengagement coping. Annals of Behavioral Medicine: Session Abstracts; 37(Supplement 1):156.

 

Presentations

Highland, K. , McChargue, D. E., Darrington, D. L., McIlvain, H. & Loberiza, F. r. (2010, March). Differences in the association of distress tolerance and spirituality on treatment perception of cancer survivors from rural and urban areas. Poster submitted to Society of Behavioral Medicine Conference, Seattle, WA.

Highland, K. & McChargue, D.E. (2009, April). DRD2 genotype and obesity interaction predicts behavioral disengagement coping. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Montreal, Canada.

Herrera, M. J., Highland, K. B. & McChargue, D. E. (2008, November). Obesity and smoking: Stress induced cardiovascular responses of high ruminative obese smokers. Poster presented at the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Conference, Orlando, FL.

Highland, K.*, Salvi, S.* & McChargue, D. E. (2008, February). Basal high blood pressure influences stress-induced reactivity among smokers. Poster presented at the Society for Research in Nicotine and Tobacco, Portland, OR.