Education

Elizabeth J. Vella, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME 04103 Phone: 207.780.4252. Fax: 207.780.4974
Education
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg VA:
Ph.D. in Psychology (Psychological Sciences), 2005. Dissertation Title: Anger
Expression, Harassment, and Evaluation: Cardiovascular Reactivity and Recovery to
Mental Stress
M.S. in Psychology (Psychological Sciences), 2003. Thesis Title: Autonomic
characteristics of defensive hostility: Reactivity and recovery to active and passive
stressors.

Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA:
B.A. in Psychology, Cum Laude, May 1998

Research Interests: Psychophysiology of emotion and personality, with an emphasis on
autonomic nervous system activity in relation to health and disease. Psychosocial factors
and cardiovascular risk, and physiological mechanisms that may explain these
associations. Implications for stress management interventions in improving quality of
life and reducing physiological responses to stressors among at risk populations.
Academic Employment
University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Entry Year Experience 116: The Nature-Nurture Debate PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology PSY 205/206: Experimental Methodology Lecture & Lab University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA Postdoctoral Scholar, Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Research Traineeship Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA Graduate Instructor, Department of Psychology: Nervous Systems & Behavior, Spring 2004 Principles of Psychological Research, Fall 2004-Spring 2005 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Psychology Introduction to Psychology, Fall 2000-Spring 2002 Principles of Psychological Research, Fall 2002 Nervous Systems & Behavior/Physiological Psychology, Spring 2003 Graduate Research Stipend, Department of Psychology, Summer 2001 & 2002
Publications

Vella, E.J., Milligan, B., & Bennett, J.L. (2013). Participation in outdoor recreation
program predicts improved psychosocial well-being among veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: A pilot study. Military Medicine, 178(3), 254-260. Vella, E.J., Kamarck, T.W., Flory, J.D., & Manuck, S. (2012). Hostile mood and social strain during daily life: A test of the transactional model. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 44(3), 341-352. Vella, E.J. & Budd, M. (2011). Pilot study: Retreat intervention predicts improved quality of life and reduced psychological distress among breast cancer patients. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 17, 209-214. Kamarck, T.W., Muldoon, M.F., Hasket, R.F., Manuck, S., Cheong, J.W., Flory, J.D., & Vella, E.J. (2011). Citalopram improves metabolic risk factors among hostile adults: Results of a placebo controlled intervention. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 36(7), 1070-1079. Vella, E.J., & Friedman, B.H. (2009). Hostility and anger-in: Cardiovascular reactivity and recovery to mental arithmetic stress. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 72, 253-259. Vella, E.J., Kamarck, T.W., & Shiffman, S. (2008). Hostility moderates the effects of social support and intimacy on blood pressure in daily social interactions. Health Psychology, 27(Suppl. 2), S155-S162. Vella, E.J., & Friedman, B.H. (2007). The autonomic characteristics of defensive hostility: Reactivity and recovery to active and passive stressors (invited paper). International Journal of Psychophysiology, 66, 95-101. Vella, E.J., Irvin, M.D., Solle, J., Berendt, S., & Ramirez, E.E. (1999). The effects of music on mood and perception of a visual stimulus. Psi Chi Journal of Undergraduate Research, 4(3), 101-105.
Published Abstracts
Vella, E.J. & Friedman, B.H. (2006). Hostility and anger in: Low frequency power
reactivity and recovery to mental arithmetic stress with harassment. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 31(Suppl. 1), S100. Friedman, B.H., Lozier, L.M., & Vella, E.J. (2005). Gender differences in cardiovascular responses to lateralized hand cold pressor. Psychophysiology, 42(Suppl. 1), S56. Vella, E.J., Friedman, B.H., Elcano, J., Evans, T., & Sweet, M. (2005). Hostility and anger out: Cardiovascular reactivity and recovery to mental arithmetic stress with harassment. Psychophysiology, 42(Suppl. 1), S126. Vella, E.J., Friedman, B.H., Lozier, L., & Laskey, G. (2003). Defensive hostility and cardiovascular reactivity to active and passive stressors in college-aged males. Psychophysiology, 40(Suppl. 1), S88.
Conference Presentations
McDonough, K. & Vella, E.J. (2013, March). Contemporary Education Intervention
Provides Second Chances for High School Dropouts. Poster presented at the Assets: Getting to Outcomes for Maine Summit, Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, ME. Morneau, P. & Vella, E.J. (2013, March). The Community Schools: Introducing a Cohesive Orientation in Alternative Education. Poster presented at the Assets: Getting to Outcomes for Maine Summit, Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, ME. Sapier, J. & Vella, E.J. (2012, November). Working with CHEETA and the Portland Housing Authority in Riverton Park: A gratifying internship experience. Poster presented at the 4th annual Civic Matters Symposium of Community Based Projects and Research, Portland, ME. Groom, S., Bean, E., Vella, E.J., & Thornton, B. (2012, March). Hostility, social support, and attachment style: Psychosocial correlates to hypercompetitiveness. Poster presented at the 83rd annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Pittsburgh, PA. Waller, C., Bellino, J., Vella, E.J., & Thornton, B. (2012, March). Self-consciousness and cardiovascular reactivity to the Trier Social Stress Test. Poster presented at the 83rd annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Pittsburgh, PA. Vella, E.J. (2010, May). Fly fishing improves psychosocial wellness and reduces cortisol among veterans with PTSD. Poster presented at the 22nd annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Boston, MA. Leet, S.A., Hadley, J., & Vella, E.J. (2010, March). Film mood induction: Gender makes a difference. Poster presented at the 81st annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York City, NY. Perry, S.M., Antworth, J., & Vella, E.J. (2010, March). Personality and music preference: The influence of openness to experience and extraversion. Poster presented at the 81st annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York City, NY. Vella, E.J. & Budd, M. (2009, March). Pilot Study: Retreat experience linked to improved quality of life and reduced psychological distress among breast cancer patients. Poster presented at the 67th annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society, Chicago, IL. Vella, E.J., Port, E., & Budd, M. (2008, May). Retreat center intervention is associated with improved quality of life and reduced psychological distress amongst breast cancer patients. Poster presented at the 20th annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL. Vella, E.J., Kamarck, T.W., Haskett, R.F., Manuck, S.B., Muldoon, M., & Flory, J.D. (2008, March). The effects of citalopram on resting blood pressure and heart rate among hostile adults. Poster presented at the 66th annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society, Baltimore, MD.
Vella, E.J., Kamarck, T.W., & Shiffman, S. (2007, March). Hostility moderates the
effects of positive social interactions on blood pressure in daily life. Poster presented at the 28th annual meeting of the Society for Behavioral Medicine, Washington, DC. Vella, E.J. & Friedman, B.H. (2006, May). Hostility and anger management style: Cardiovascular reactivity and recovery to mental arithmetic stress with harassment. Poster session presented at the 18th annual meeting of the American Psychological Society, New York City, NY. Vella, E.J., Kamarck, T.W., Manuck, S., Flory, J.D., & Bear, T. (2006, March). Hostility psychometrics: Using trait scales to predict daily levels of hostile mood and interactions. Poster session presented at the 64th annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society, Denver, CO. Vella, E.J. & Friedman, B.H. (2004, March). Defensive hostility and cardiovascular reactivity to active and passive stressors in male subjects. Poster session presented at the 20th annual research symposium of the Graduate Student Association, Blacksburg, VA. Vella, E.J., Friedman, B.H., Lozier, L., & Laskey, G. (2003, May). Defensive hostility differentially predicts cardiovascular reactivity and recovery to active and passive stressors in male subjects. Poster session presented at the 15th annual meeting of the American Psychological Society, Atlanta, GA. Vella, E.J., & Friedman, B.H. (2003, March). The autonomic characteristics of defensive hostility. Poster session presented at the 61st annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society, Phoenix, AZ. Vella, E.J., Friedman, B.H., Lozier, L., & Laskey, G. (2003, March). The autonomic correlates of defensive hostility. Poster session presented at the 19th annual research symposium of the Graduate Student Association, Blacksburg, VA.
Vella, E.J., Irvin, M.D., Solle, J., & Ramirez, E.E. (1998, April). Effects of music on
mood using MAACL-R on undergraduate students. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Albuquerque, NM.
Academic Service
Faculty Advisor, University of Southern Maine Psychology Club Fall 2007-present
Chair, Psychology Department Curriculum Reform Committee, University of Southern
Member, Psychology Department Entry Year Experience Course Development Committee, EYE 116: Nature-Nurture Issues in Psychology, 2008-2009 Academic Year University of Southern Maine Institutional Review Board Member, Spring 2009-Spring External Reviewer, Bates College Undergraduate Senior Thesis, Hannah Giasson, “Testing the Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing as a Primary Weight Reduction Strategy in Obese Cardiac Patients”, Spring 2009 Member, University of Southern Maine Hiring Committee. Position: Office of Research Presenter, University of Southern Maine Academic Showcase. University of Southern Presenter, University of Southern Maine Provost’s Summer Writing Seminar. Stone Faculty Advisor, University of Southern Maine Peer Mentoring Program, Fall 2009- Psychology Department Internship Coordinator, Spring 2011-present Chair, EYE Assessment Committee, Summer 2011-present Member, USM Faculty for the Environment, Summer 2011-present Member, USM Psychology Department Curriculum Review Committee, Summer 2012- Member, USM ADVANCE-IT Initiative, Recruitment & Hiring Committee, Spring
Honors and Awards

2011: Honorary Inductee USM Chapter of the Golden Key International Honor Society
2010: Faculty Professional Development Award ($715), University of Southern Maine
2008: Faculty Professional Development Award ($800), University of Southern Maine
2004: Graduate Research Development Program Award ($125), Virginia Polytechnic
Institute & State University
2004: Graduate Student Association Research Award, 1st place for poster presented in
category of Natural & Biological Sciences ($350), Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State
University
1997-98: Psi Chi Vice President, Sonoma State University
1997-98: Hewlett-Packard Scholarship, Sonoma State University

Colloquia

The autonomic characteristics of defensive hostility: Reactivity and recovery to active
and passive stressors. Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State
University, Blacksburg, VA, September 2003.
Hostility moderates the effects of social support and intimacy on blood pressure in daily
life. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, June 2007

How to get into graduate school in psychology: The key to finding the right programs
relevant to your interests. Department of Psychology, University of Southern Maine,
Portland, ME, October 2007 & November 2012.

Hostility and stress: Cardiovascular responses in the lab and daily living. University
Counseling Services, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME, November 2007.
Asklepios revisited: Improvements in quality of life and spiritual well-being among breast
cancer patients at the F. Holland Day Retreat Center. Lesley University, Cambridge,
MA, March 2008.
Hostility and stress: Implications for cardiovascular health. Health Psychology Summer Institute, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME, 2008, 2010, & 2012. Asklepios revisited: Improvements in quality of life, spiritual well-being, and immune function among breast cancer patients at the F. Holland Day Retreat Center. Health Psychology Summer Institute, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME, July 2009. Rivers of Recovery: The effects of a fly fishing experience on psychosocial wellness and physiological markers of stress. Veterans of Foreign War, Ogden, UT, August 2009 The F. Holland Day retreats: Healing retreats for women with cancer. Collaborative Medicine Working Group, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, January 2010. PSY 410 internship experience: Finding the placement to suit your interests. Department of Psychology, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME, February 2011. The F. Holland Day retreats: Improvements in quality of life and psychosocial well-being among breast cancer patients. Health Psychology Summer Institute, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME, July 2011. Rivers of Recovery: The trials and tribulations of data collection on combat veterans with
PTSD in a fly-fishing program. Environmental Science & Policy 280: Research and
Analytic Methods, University of Southern Maine, Gorham, ME, November 2012.
Participation in outdoor recreation predicts improved psychosocial wellness among
veterans with PTSD. University Counseling Services, University of Southern Maine,
Portland, ME, February 2013.
Outdoor therapeutic recreation for combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Health Psychology Summer Institute, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME, June
2013.

Ad Hoc Reviewer

Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Anxiety, Stress, & Coping
Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being
Biological Psychology
Emotion
Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
International Journal of Psychology
International Journal of Psychophysiology
Journal of Psychophysiology
Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
Perceptual and Motor Skills
Psychophysiology

Professional Memberships
American Psychosomatic Society
Association for Psychological Science
Eastern Psychological Association
Society of Behavioral Medicine

Professional Development

Ecological Momentary Assessment Workshop (2006, March). Seminar held at the 64th
annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society, Denver, CO. Mindware Heart Rate Variability Workshop (2006, June). Seminar held at the Easton Mindware Impedance Cardiography Workshop (2007, June). Seminar held at the Easton Pittsburgh Mind-Body Center Summer Institute: Health Behavior & Chronic Diseases (2007, June). Seminar held at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, University of Pittsburgh, PA. Health Psychology Summer Institute (2007, June). Seminar held at the Hannaford Lecture Hall, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME. University of Southern Maine Summer Writing Seminar (2008, June). Seminar held at the 10th annual meeting of the Provost’s Writing Collaborative, Freeport, ME. Maine Watershed Workshop (2008, October). Seminar held at the Maine Audubon University of Southern Maine Student Success Partnership Workshop (2010, June). Seminar held at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, ME. Association of American Colleges & Universities: Engaging Departments Institute (2011, July). Seminar held at The Hotel at Turf Valley in Ellicott City, MD. Applying the Science of Learning in Face-to-Face and Online Courses (2012, August). Conference held at the Harold Alfond Center for Health Sciences, University of New England, Biddeford, ME.
References

Bruce Friedman, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
Virginia Tech
Thomas Kamarck, Ph.D. Department of Psychology University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA 15260 (412) 624-2080 Karen Matthews, Ph.D. Department of Psychiatry University of Pittsburgh 3811 O’Hara St Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (412) 246-5950

Source: http://usm.maine.edu/sites/default/files/psy/Vella%20CV%20revised_2.pdf