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Faculty Spotlight: Laura Widman

The NC State Belltower. Photo by Marc Hall

This story was written by Karina Seebaluck, a Department of Psychology Peer Ambassador who is double majoring in psychology and Spanish with minors in cognitive science and nonprofit studies.

Laura Widman is a clinical psychologist and associate professor working within the Department of Psychology in the applied social psychology program at NC State since 2015. Her research focuses on understanding and improving adolescent sexual health and communication, along with the prevention of HIV/STIs. I have personally gotten to know Widman as an undergraduate research assistant in the Teen Health Lab at NC State.

Before working at NC State, Widman graduated cum laude with a B.A in psychology from Seattle Pacific University in 2003, followed by an M.A in psychology in 2006 and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 2010, both from the University of Tennessee. She then pursued two postdoctoral fellowships from UNC Chapel Hill ending in 2015. 

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Widman oversees the Teen Health Lab, which focuses on adolescent sexual health, specifically how they learn about sexuality and make decisions about sex. The lab also aims to improve sexual health through digital health and development programs that define consent. The lab is currently working on a variety of projects, one being updating the Health Education and Relationship Training program (HEART), or a 45-minute online sexual health program for high school students aiming to increase knowledge and skills relating to safer sexual behavior. This program focuses on:

  • Health-related motivation
  • HIV/STI knowledge
  • Self-efficacy or an individual’s confidence in adjusting their behavior to reach a goal
  • Social norms
  • Sexual communication skills 

Widman also manages a business, Teen Health Research, an organization that aims to help teens and families build the communication skills needed for positive and honest relationships with the aid of online programs and resources regarding sexual education. Through this business, Widman pioneered “TheTalk,” an app that helps to make discussions about sexual intimacy more comfortable for teens and their parents. 

With all of this experience under her belt, I asked for her advice to undergraduate students who are currently navigating the psychology program at NC State. In response, she emphasized building relationships with faculty early on and taking care of yourself. In my own life, I enjoy going to events hosted by the University Activities Board, switching up my daily routine and exploring new spaces around campus. 

In my time working with Widman in her lab, I learned that there are professors eager to support you in your personal and professional journey at NC State. College marks a time of unprecedented growth, so make the most of it while you can by connecting with highly-experienced faculty.

If the research Laura Widman is conducting interests you, feel free to email her at lmwidman@ncsu.edu to inquire about how you can get involved.

Sources: 

Teen Health Lab Website: https://www.drlaurawidman.com/

Teen Health Research Website: https://www.teenhealthresearch.com/