University of Arizona professor and psychology department head Heidi Hamann elected ABMR Fellow

Dr. Heidi Hamann, head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Arizona, has been elected a Fellow of the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research (ABMR), a prestigious honor recognizing exceptional contribution at the intersection of behavior and medicine.

Hamann was elected following a highly selective, peer revised nomination process and received unanimous support from the Academy’s Nominating Committee and Executive Council. ABMR is the premier honorary scientific organization for research working in behavioral medicine and is composed of several hundred senior investigators whose work has significantly advanced the field.

“It’s a terrific honor,” Hamann said. “Many of the fellows have included my mentors or other influential leaders in the field of behavioral medicine."

Hamann is a clinical health psychologist whose research focuses on improving quality of life for individuals diagnosed with cancer. Her work addresses the psychological and behavioral challenges patients face during diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, with partial attention to lung cancer and barriers coordinated cancer care.

Cancer is a devastating disease,” Hamann said. “It’s important to develop and test interventions that promote psychological and behavioral health in the context of cancer, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship."

In its announcement, the Academy highlighted Hamann’s role as a lead investigator, collaborator, and mentor. While all three are central to her career, Hamann said collaboration has been especially meaningful, particularly partnerships beyond the university.

“I really enjoyed developing and sustaining collaborations, both within and outside the university," she said. “Community-based collaborations, including those with Federally Qualified Health Centers and patient advocates are particularly valuable."

Hamann hopes her research helps strengthen understanding of the importance of psychological support for individuals with cancer and their families. She also emphasized the impact of mentorship, noting that current and former U of A psychology trainees are implementing evidence-based approaches in care at the U of A Cancer Center and other health care settings.

Hamann views the recognition as a reflection of the broader behavioral medicine community at the U of A. The Department of Psychology offers a strong healthy psychology focus, including a graduate minor and a range of undergraduate and graduate courses, and collaborates closely with university affiliated health care settings.

“There are talented faculty and students across the department and the university conducting behavioral medicine research,” Hamann said. “Many of these individuals have been important collaborators in our team’s work.”

As a newly elected fellow, Hamann is looking forward to becoming more involved with the Academy, particularly through its Early-Stage Investigator program, which supports and mentors early career scientists.

“As someone who had a somewhat non-traditional career trajectory, I’d like to give back to others who may be considering different professional paths,” she said.

For students and early career researchers interested in behavioral medicine, Hamann describes the field as both multidisciplinary and increasingly essential.

“It’s a growing and rewarding field,” she said. “As healthcare challenges increase, there's a real need for professionals who take an integrated biopsychological perspective on health and disease."

Hamann will be formally inducted as an ABMR Fellow at the Academy’s annual scientific meeting in June. To learn more about Dr. Hamann and her research, click here.