Penn State Biobehavioral Health

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Penn State Biobehavioral Health Biobehavioral Health offers two interdisciplinary undergrad programs in biobehavioral health and systems neuroscience, as well as a robust graduate program.

The department is saddened to share the news that Frank Ahern, teaching professor emeritus of biobehavioral health, pass...
10/19/2026

The department is saddened to share the news that Frank Ahern, teaching professor emeritus of biobehavioral health, passed away last month.

Ahern came to Penn State in 1983 as a senior research associate in the Department of Health Policy and Administration. In 1991, he helped co-found the Department of Biobehavioral Health, which initially offered a graduate program of study. He was a pivotal member of the curriculum development committee that expanded the department to include a bachelor of science degree in 1996. He accepted the role of undergraduate professor-in-charge of the bachelor of science in biobehavioral health in 1997, serving until his retirement from the University in 2016.

Read more about his legacy: https://www.psu.edu/news/health-and-human-development/story/memoriam-frank-m-ahern-teaching-professor-emeritus-biobehavioral?utm_account=Penn+State+Biobehavioral+Health&utm_campaign=&utm_content=1792426264&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

During a historic drought in northern Kenya, a pastoralist community turned to a food source it had long viewed as a fal...
09/18/2026

During a historic drought in northern Kenya, a pastoralist community turned to a food source it had long viewed as a fallback for people without livestock: fishing.

A team of Penn State researchers, led by Asher Rosinger, associate professor of biobehavioral health and anthropology, studied this and other impacts of the historic drought and found that the effects of an extreme climate event extend beyond physical health and food access, and can alter cultural norms, livelihoods, and settlement patterns.

Read more: https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/historic-kenyan-drought-reshaped-livelihoods-health-and-daily-life?utm_account=Penn+State+Biobehavioral+Health&utm_campaign=&utm_content=1789746487&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

Meet Emma 👋, a current senior majoring in Biobehavioral Health with a minor in Biology, who plans to pursue a career in ...
08/20/2026

Meet Emma 👋, a current senior majoring in Biobehavioral Health with a minor in Biology, who plans to pursue a career in medicine. During her years at Penn State, Emma has pursued internships and opportunities that allowed her to connect with her peers and build her knowledge and skills.

Emma participated in an internship with Girls on the Run, and the connections she made there led her to help expand the program into Luzerne County, where she grew up.

“I have had the opportunity to apply what I've learned in my BBH coursework and see it come to life in a real-world setting — whether that's developing equitable educational materials or working to address barriers within these communities,” Emma said. “While that process has been challenging at times, it has been incredibly rewarding.”

She also worked as a research assistant for two years on the Healthy Mom Zone study, where she developed skills in data analysis, project management, and leadership.

Outside of professional experiences, Emma is a proud member of Phi Epsilon Kappa (PEK), a pre-health fraternity at Penn State. The fraternity offers service initiatives and experiences, including support for THON, and she said her participation in these initiatives deepened her commitment to helping others and gave her a strong sense of community and supportive friends at Penn State.

“Through all of my experiences during undergrad, I have developed a deep appreciation for the importance of effective communication in healthcare,” said Emma.

“I’ve learned to approach situations with perspective and recognize that what we see on the outside rarely tells the full story. This has helped me build genuine empathy and meet people where they are, rather than where I expect them to be.”

Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley and Pocono

BBH graduate students Yiping Li and Emily Wright were awarded 2026 Fox scholarships from Penn State’s J. Jeffrey and Ann...
08/10/2026

BBH graduate students Yiping Li and Emily Wright were awarded 2026 Fox scholarships from Penn State’s J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School.

These scholarships can be used to further research or participate in professional development opportunities.

Congratulations Yiping and Emily🎉!

Meet Kayla 👋, a fourth-year student majoring in biobehavioral health, who plans to go on to earn a master’s degree in pu...
07/14/2026

Meet Kayla 👋, a fourth-year student majoring in biobehavioral health, who plans to go on to earn a master’s degree in public health. Last year, Kayla worked as a lead research assistant and project manager at the Impact Incubator at Penn State, an organization that works to build bridges between classroom learning and real-world experiences. Kayla worked closely with the director to coordinate project timelines and tasks and develop new ideas. Part of her role was assessing whether “third-space activities” — curated events and opportunities focused on the arts, culinary sciences, nature, and more — benefit the student experience.

“Working at the Impact Incubator helped me improve my adaptability, leadership, and teamwork. The most important skill I gained, though, was being able to communicate the same idea in different settings and contexts. This experience mattered so much to me because I learned crucial skills and life lessons while establishing relationships and making a difference.”

Kayla is also the treasurer and data manager for Planned Parenthood Generation Action at Penn State. She said that getting involved in student organizations has been a great opportunity to build new skills and be involved in something meaningful.

“It is also a great place to find like-minded people and have some fun! For anyone unsure about getting involved at Penn State, I would definitely say just do it. There are so many opportunities to build skills and meet people.”

🎉 Congrats to Hannah Schreier, associate professor of biobehavioral health and professor-in-charge of the department's g...
07/07/2026

🎉 Congrats to Hannah Schreier, associate professor of biobehavioral health and professor-in-charge of the department's graduate program, who was recently recognized in a University "We Are" shout-out!

“Hannah reflects the best of Penn State through her thoughtful and effective leadership. She manages with a great balance of efficiency and empathy, keeping our team organized and motivated. My experience has been incredibly positive thanks to the supportive and encouraging environment she creates.”

Happy 250th birthday to the United States of America 🇺🇸!
07/04/2026

Happy 250th birthday to the United States of America 🇺🇸!

This Father's Day, learn how being a supportive dad can positively affect your child's health."It might surprise people ...
06/21/2026

This Father's Day, learn how being a supportive dad can positively affect your child's health.

"It might surprise people that a father’s behavior before a baby is old enough to form permanent memories can affect that child’s health when they are in second grade. It is generally understood that family dynamics affect development and mental health, but those dynamics affect physical health as well and play out over years.” - Hannah Schreier

Read more: https://www.psu.edu/news/health-and-human-development/story/fathers-early-interactions-babies-may-affect-child-health-years

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University Park, PA
16802

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