Kristen Farrell-Turner, Ph.D., is from Fremont, OH. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2000 with a B.A. in Psychology, and then completed a M.S. in Kinesiology (Exercise Physiology concentration) at University of Michigan in 2002.  While enrolled at the University of Michigan, she worked as a research assistant in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, recruiting study subjects and collecting data for studies investigating pelvic floor dysfunction (e.g., uterine prolapse, incontinence) among middle-aged women.  From 2002-2005 she worked as a research associate in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, OH on studies related to the metabolic function of women with and without gestational diabetes and its relationship with the health status (e.g., metabolic syndrome criteria) of neonates and children (aged up to 11 years) born to those mothers. In 2005, Dr. Farrell-Turner began pre-doctoral studies in the Health Psychology concentration at the University of Miami, earning her M.S. in 2007 and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2011. She completed her clinical internship at Citrus Health Network, Inc. in Hialeah, FL, and her post-doctoral fellowship at the VA Healthcare System, Bruce W. Carter Medical Center (Consult & Liaison, Integrated Health/Patient Aligned Care Teams) in Miami, FL.   Research interests lie within health psychology, especially on the topic of inflammation and its relationship with both medical/chronic disease outcomes and adverse psychosocial outcomes.  Specific chronic diseases of particular interest include polycystic ovary syndrome, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and sarcopenia.  Also of particular interest are the numerous ways that physical activity benefits both physiological and psychological functioning across the lifespan.  Dr. Farrell-Turner has published several peer-reviewed articles on gestational diabetes and resultant child health, the relationship between inflammatory markers and psychosocial functioning, psychosocial functioning and medication adherence among individuals with heart failure, and the interactions of physiological and psychological factors in polycystic ovary syndrome. Dr. Farrell-Turner spends many of her off-hours with her husband, 5-year-old son, and one-year-old daughter.

Psycology