DEXTER M. THOMAS
380 S 1530 E BEHS 818
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Phone: (801) 581-3176
Email: dexter.thomas@utah.edu
EDUCATION
Doctoral candidate in Social Psychology
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Emphasis in Brain and Behavior
Summa Cum Laude
Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT
Degree Expected 2019
June 2013
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Utah, SLC, UT
Advisor: Lisa Aspinwall, Ph.D.
2014 – present
Post-Baccalaureate Undergraduate Scholarship Program Fellow
2013- 2014
National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD); Health
Behavior Branch
Senior Investigator: Tonja R. Nansel, Ph.D.
Ronald E. McNair Scholar
Westminster College, SLC, UT
Advisor: Lesa Ellis, Ph.D.
2011 - 2013
HONORS AND AWARDS
National Institutes of Health Academy Fellow Certificate
Outstanding Graduating Senior in Psychology Research, Dept. of Psychology
National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Scholar
Dean’s list, Westminster College
Presidential Scholarship, Westminster College
Presidential Award, Associated Students of Westminster College
2014
2013
2012
2010–2013
2010–2013
2010–2013
2011
PUBLICATIONS
Nansel, T.R., Thomas, D.M., Liu, A. (2015) “Efficacy of a Behavioral Intervention for Pediatric Type 1
Diabetes Across Income”. American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
MANUSCRIPTS UNDER REVIEW
Thomas, D.M., Nansel, T.R., Lipsky, L., Liu, A. (under review) “Parent-child relationship quality mediates the
association of income with adherence and glycemic control in youth with type 1 diabetes”.
Thomas, D.M., Amburgey, J., Ellis, L (under review). “Anti-transgender prejudice mediates the association of
just world beliefs and victim blaming of gender-conforming and gender non-conforming victims”.
INVITED/CONFERENCE TALKS
Thomas, D.M. Nansel, T.R., Lipsky, L., Liu, A. (2014, May). “Parent-child relationship quality mediates the
association of income with adherence and glycemic control in youth with type 1 diabetes”. Presented
at the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Prevention Research, Washington, DC.
Thomas, D.M. (2012, August). “Belief in a just world, anti-transgender prejudice, and the blaming of innocent
victims”. Presented at McNair Scholars Symposium, University of California, Berkeley, CA.
Thomas, D.M. (2012, August). “Belief in a just world, anti-transgender prejudice, and the blaming of innocent
victims”. Presented at Westminster College McNair Scholars Symposium, SLC, UT.
Thomas, D.M., Clark, Y., Smith, R. (2011, August). “The effects of physiological arousal on adolescent
aggression”. Presented at McNair Scholars Symposium, University of California, Berkeley, CA.
Thomas, D.M., Clark, Y., Smith, R. (2011, August). “The effects of physiological arousal on adolescent
aggression”. Presented at Westminster College McNair Scholars Symposium, SLC, UT.
WORKSHOP AND LUNCHEON PRESENTATIONS
Tate, C. C., Thomas, D.M. (2015, February). “Conducting transgender-focused research while being trans* or
gender (expectation) nonconforming in social and personality psychology”. GLBT Alliance in Social
and Personality Psychology (GASP) Mentoring Luncheon for GLBT Research and Researchers,
Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP), Long Beach, CA.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Thomas, D.M., Ellis, L. (2013, February). “Belief in a just world, anti-transgender prejudice, and the
blaming of innocent victims”. Accepted to present at the 15th Annual Meeting of the Society for
Personality and Social Psychology, Austin, TX.
Thomas, D.M., Brooks-Russell, A., Haynie, D., Iannotti, R.J. (2013, August). “Sexual minority youth and
cyber bullying victimization”. Presented at NIH Summer Research Program Poster Day, National
Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
Thomas, D.M. (2012, August). “Belief in a just world, anti-transgender prejudice, and the blaming of innocent
victims”. Presented at McNair Scholars Symposium, Westminster College, SLC, UT.
Thomas, D.M., (2011, August). “The effects of physiological arousal on adolescent aggression”. Presented at
McNair Scholars Symposium, Westminster College, SLC, UT.
TEACHING AND MENTORING EXPERIENCE
Student Instructor
Quantitative Research Methods with Jonathan Amburgey, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT
Guest Panelist
Psychology for Lesa Ellis, Ph.D.
Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT
LGBQT Youth Mentor
Advised by Jude McNeil, M.S.W.
Utah Pride Center, Salt Lake City, UT
2012
2011–2013
2006–2011
ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERSHIP
NIH Academy Health Disparities Fellow
2013 –2014
- In-depth training to learn about health disparities, enhance knowledge of gaps in health outcomes, and
investigate what is being done to address health disparity issues.
President
Alpha Chi National Honors Society, Westminster College
2012–2013
Vice President
Psychology Club, Westminster College
2012–2013
Outreach Director
Psychology Club, Westminster College
2011–2012
Director of Social Media Outreach
Associated Students of Westminster College
2010–2013
Delegate and Precinct Chair
Utah Democratic Party
2008–2012
Research Assistant and Web Design
HiRes Cosmic-Ray Observatory
Physics Department, University of Utah
2000–2006
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology
Alpha Chi National College Honor Society
DEPARTMENTAL SERVICE
Psychology Social Area Research Group Coordinator
Diversity Committee
2015–Present
2015