Stress, Aging, and Relationships (STAR) Lab

Studying love and loss across the lifespan 💫

In the Stress, Aging, and Relationships Lab, we study some of the most important aspects of being human (love and loss) with a focus on stress-response processes to inform the field's understanding of social contributions to healthy aging. For example, how do we adapt to the loss of a loved one? How does social loss (e.g., widowhood, divorce) get “under the skin” to affect how we age? And lastly, what are malleable biopsychosocial factors that can protect us through times of social loss?

To answer these questions, the STAR Lab connects psychological mechanisms underlying individual differences in adjustment to social loss with the physiological consequences of social loss (i.e., studying the psychobiology of social loss). As a result, research in the STAR Lab takes a lifespan-focused and psychoneuroimmunology perspective on love, loss, and healthy aging.

Dr. Brown will review graduate student applications for the upcoming application cycle

(PhD start date of Fall 2025)

Meet The Team

Ryan L. Brown, Ph.D.

Lab Director

Dr. Brown is a social health psychologist fascinated by how fundamental human experiences (love and loss) contribute to mental and physical health as we age. In addition to research on social loss, she considers unique contexts that can inform broader research such as: viral illness and vaccination models, studies of chronic social stress (e.g., caregiving), and experimental manipulations to examine positive effects of acute stress. Read more about Dr. Brown's background and training here.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Imani Sims, B.A.

Lab Manager

Imani graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Ethnic Studies. After graduation she worked as a research coordinator in a pediatric psychology lab at Texas Tech University with an emphasis on pediatric behavioral and physical health. Currently, Imani is the STAR lab manager. Her research interests include the intersection of faith and mental health, and the comorbidity of chronic illness and mental health. Imani also has interest in the development of culturally and racially sensitive mental health programming.

Join the STAR Lab!

Graduate Student Applications

Dr. Brown will review graduate student applications for the upcoming application cycle (Ph.D. start date of Fall 2025).

Dr. Brown is a primary advisor in the Human Development and Family Ph.D. program at Texas Tech University (click here to learn more about the program). Dr. Brown is looking for students who are ready to conduct research at the Ph.D. level and whose research interests align with the lab.

Interested in applying? If you have any questions about the Stress, Aging, and Relationships (STAR) Lab, email Dr. Brown at Ryan.L.Brown@ttu.edu.

Why join the STAR lab at Texas Tech as a Ph.D. student?

- Interdisciplinary training in psychoneuroimmunology and human development and family sciences with a lifespan focus

- High quality mentorship is a top priority

- Up to $6500 in conference and workshop support per year!

- Low cost of living

- Option to get experience in science communication

Undergraduate Student Applications

Dr. Brown will be reviewing applications from undergraduate students and recent college graduates beginning in October, 2024 with anticipated start dates available in January, 2025.

Want to learn more about Dr. Brown as a mentor?

You can read statements from previous students she has mentored here.