BRITTA A. LARSEN
Department of Family & Preventive Medicine
University of California, San Diego
9500 Gilman Dr.
La Jolla, CA 92093-0628
Phone: 858.534.8429
Email: blarsen@ucsd.edu
EDUCATION
2011
Ph.D., Experimental Psychology, University of California, San Diego
Advisor: Nicholas Christenfeld, Ph.D.
2006
Master of Arts, Experimental Psychology, University of California, San Diego
Advisor: James Kulik, Ph.D.
2004
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Wellesley College
Advisor: Paul Wink, Ph.D.
Minor: English Literature
Graduated Summa Cum Laude
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & APPOINTMENTS
2014 – Present
Assistant Professor, Family Medicine & Public Health, University of
California, San Diego
2011 – 2014
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Family & Preventive Medicine, University
of California, San Diego
Primary Mentor: Bess H. Marcus, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator: Michael Criqui, M.D., MPH
2009 – 2013
Adjunct Instructor, Psychology Department, University of California,
San Diego
2009 – 2011
Consultant, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Positive Health Grant,
University of Pennsylvania Center for Positive Psychology
(PI: Dr. Martin Seligman, CoI: Dr. Raymond Fowler)
2005 – 2011
Teaching Assistant, Psychology Department, University of California, San
Diego
2004 – 2005
Health Behavior Specialist, USANA Inc.
2003 – 2004
Teaching Assistant/Instructor, Writing Department, Wellesley College
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
2012 – 2013
Certificate in Epidemiology and Clinical Research, CREST Extension
Program, University of California, San Diego
2012
Physical Activity and Public Health Course, Centers for Disease Control,
Park City, Utah
2012
Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease 10-Day
Seminar, American Heart Association, Tahoe City, CA
PUBLICATIONS
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles:
Wink, P., Dillon, M., & Larsen, B. (2005). Religion as a moderator of the
depression-health connection; findings from a longitudinal study. Research on
Aging, 27(2), 197-220.
Christenfeld, N., & Larsen, B. (2008). The Name Game. The Psychologist,
21(3), 210-214.
Larsen, B. & Christenfeld, N. (2009). Cardiovascular disease and psychiatric
comorbidity: The potential role of perseverative cognition. Cardiovascular
Psychiatry and Neurology, doi:10.1155/2009/791017.
Larsen, B. & Christenfeld, N. (2011). Cognitive distancing, cognitive
restructuring, and cardiovascular recovery from stress. Biological
Psychology, 86(2), 143 – 148.
Larsen, B., Darby, R., Harris, C., Nelkin, D., Milam, P.E., & Christenfeld, N.
(2012). The immediate and delayed cardiovascular benefits of forgiving.
Psychosomatic Medicine, 74(7), 745-750.
Hughes-Austin, J., Larsen, B., & Allison, M. (2013). Visceral adipose tissue and
cardiovascular disease risk. Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports, 2013:1-7.
Larsen, B., Pekmezi, D., Marquez, B., Benitez, T., & Marcus, B. (2013). Physical
activity in Latinas: Social and environmental influences. Women’s Health 9(2),
201-210.
Larsen, B., Strong, D., & Linke, S. (2013). The association between family and
friend integration and physical activity: Results from the NHIS. International
Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 21, 529-536.
Marcus, B., Dunsiger, S., Pekmezi, D., Larsen, B., Bock, B., Gans, K., et al.
(2013). Using computer expert system technology to address physical activity-
related health disparities among Latinas in the U.S: The Seamos Saludables study.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 45(5), 598 – 605.
Larsen, B., Allison, M., Kang, E., Saad, S., Laughlin, G., Araneta, M., BarrettConnor, E., & Wassel, C. (2013). Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Are
Differentially Associated with Fat Deposition in Older Adults. Medicine and
Science in Sports and Exercise, 46(3), 520-528.
Larsen, B., Dunsiger, S., Hartman, S., Nodora, J., Pekmezi, D., Marquez, B.,
Noble, M., Rojas, C., & Marcus, B. (2014). Activo: Assessing the feasibility of
designing and implementing a physical activity intervention for Latino men.
International Journal of Men’s Health, 13(1), 60-71.
Larsen, B., Noble, M., Murray, K., & Marcus, B. (2014). Physical activity in
Latinos: Predictors, barriers, and interventions. American Journal of Lifestyle
Medicine. Epub ahead of print: doi:10.1177/1559827614521758
Camacho, A., Larsen, B., McClelland, R., Morgan, C., Criqui, M., Cushman, M.,
& Allison, M. (2014). Association of subsyndromal and depressive symptoms
with inflammatory markers among different ethnic groups: The multi-ethnic study
of atherosclerosis (MESA). Journal of Affective Disorders, 164, 165-170.
Larsen, B., Martin, L, & Strong, D. (2014). Sedentary Behavior and Prevalent
Diabetes in non-Latino Whites, non-Latino Blacks, and Latinos: Findings from
the National Health Interview Survey. Journal of Public Health, Epub ahead of
print: doi.10.1093/pubmed/fdu103.
Marcus, B., Dunsiger, S., Pekmezi, D., Larsen, B., Marquez, B., Bock, B., Gans,
K., Morrow, K., & Tilkemeier, P. (2015). 12-Month physical activity outcomes
in Latinas in the Seamos Saludables trial. American Journal of Preventive
Medicine, 48(2), 179-182.
Larsen, B., Allison, M., Laughlin, G.A., Araneta, M.R., Barrett-Connor, E.,
Wooten, W.J., Saad, S.D., & Wassel, C.L (2015). The association between
abdominal muscle and type II diabetes across weight categories in diverse postmenopausal women. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 100(1),
E105-E109.
Dominick, G.M., Dunsiger, S., Pekmezi, D., Larsen, B., Marquez, B., Nodora, J.,
Gans, K., & Marcus, B. (2015). Moderating effects of health literacy on change in
physical activity among Latinas in a randomized trial. Journal of Racial and
Ethnic Health Disparities, Epub ahead of print: doi:10.1007/s40615-014-0090-9.
Larsen, B., Laughlin, G., Saad, S., Barrett-Connor, E., Allison, M., & Wassel, C.
(2015). Pericardial fat, but not intra-thoracic fat, is associated with all-cause
mortality: The Rancho Bernardo study. Atherosclerosis, 239(2), 470-475.
Larsen, B., Christenfeld, N.J., Gravano, J., & Ryazanov, A.A. (In Press).
Competition breed desire. Basic & Applied Social Psychology.
Book Chapters:
Larsen, B. & Christenfeld, N. (2012). Indeterminate Goals: the
Cardiovascular Costs of Living in a Social World. In R. A. Wright & G. H. E.
Gondola (Eds) How Motivation Affects Cardiovascular Response: Mechanisms
and Applications. Washington DC: APA Press.
Christenfeld, N., & Larsen, B. (2015). Stress, Coping, & Health. In T.
Hadjistavropoulos & H.D. Hadjistavropoulos (Eds) Fundamentals of Health
Psychology. Ontario, Canada: Oxford University Press.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Physical activity promotion
Lifestyle interventions for diabetes
Cost effectiveness of lifestyle interventions
Primary Care-based research
Dissemination of interventions
Behavioral medicine in at-risk and underserved populations
Body composition and chronic disease
Sedentary behavior and chronic disease
Latino health disparities and health behavior
Gender differences in health behaviors
Psychosocial influences on health
GRANTS & FINANCIAL AWARDS
2014 - 2016
R21 NR014911, National Institute of Nursing Research
Role: Co-Investigator
“Developing a Text Message-Enhanced Physical Activity Intervention for
Latino Men.”
2014 – 2019
K01 DK101650, National Institutes for Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Role: Principal Investigator
“Primary Care-Based Physical Activity for Diabetic Latinas”
2014 - 2016
R03 NR014329, National Institute of Nursing Research
Role: Principal Investigator
“Development and Evaluation of a Physical Activity Intervention for Latina
Girls”
2011 – 2013
T32 HL079891, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Role: Postdoctoral Fellow
Principal Investigator: Michael Criqui, M.D.
2010 – 2011
UCSD Chancellor’s Interdisciplinary Collaboration Grant
Role: Co-Investigator
“Defining Forgiveness and its Role in Cardiovascular Disease”
2007, 2008,
2009
UCSD Norman Anderson Travel Award
2009, 2010
UCSD Dean of Social Sciences Travel Grant
HONORS AND AWARDS:
2011
UCSD Psychology Department Nominee, Jean Fort Dissertation Prize
2008
UCSD All Graduate Research Seminar, 3rd Place Overall Project
Title: “Talk it out or boys’ night out? The role of gender and social
support and cardiovascular recovery from stress”
2004
Graduated Summa Cum Laude, Wellesley College
Honors GPA: 3.90
2004
Elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Wellesley College
2004
Durant Scholar, Wellesley College
2004
Nominated to Psy Chi Honors Society, Wellesley College
2001
First Year Academic Distinction, Wellesley College
RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Ad-Hoc Reviewer
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Biological Psychology
Psychophysiology
Health Psychology
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Professional Society Memberships
American Heart Association
AHA Council on Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Metabolism (Lifestyle)
Society of Behavioral Medicine
American College of Sports Medicine
Social, Personality and Health Network
University Service and Committees –
2014 – 2015
Executive Planning Committee – Public Health Research Day
2008 – 2009
Graduate Representative to the faculty, UCSD
2007 – 2008
Faculty Recruitment Representative, UCSD
2006 – 2007
Colloquium Committee Member, UCSD
External Academic Service Activities
2013 – Present
F1000Prime Associate Faculty Member
2013 – Present
American Heart Association, Abstract Reviewer
2014
Session Moderator, American Heart Association Scientific Sessions
SELECT PRESENTATIONS AT SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS:
Invited Talks
“Physical Activity in Adolescent Girls: Trends and Intervention Approaches.”
Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention Seminar, April 2015, UCSD
Department of Family Medicine & Public Health.
“Primary Care-Based Physical Activity for Diabetic Latinas.” Endocrine Clinic Scan
Echo Conference, April 2015, San Diego VA Hospital Endocrine Clinic.
“Indeterminate Motivation: Cardiovascular Health Costs of Living in a Social World.”
Association for Psychological Science, May 2009, San Francisco, CA.
Data Presentations
“Gender and Help-Seeking: Cardiovascular Costs and Benefits.” Society for Personality
and Social Psychology, Health Psychology Preconference Data Blitz, January 2011, San
Antonio, TX.
Poster Presentations
Larsen, B., Pekmezi, D., Dunsiger, S., & Marcus, B. Increasing Physical Activity in
Latinas: The Moderating Effect of Family Ties. International Society for Behavioral
Nutrition and Physical Activity, May 2014, San Diego, CA.
Larsen, B., Allison, M., Kang, E., Saad, S., Laughlin, G., Araneta, M.R., Barrett-Connor,
E., & Wassel, C.L. Higher Muscle-to-Abdominal Cavity Ratio is Associated with Lower
Odds of Type II Diabetes in Older Women. American Heart Association Council on
Epidemiology, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism, March 2013, New Orleans
Larsen, B., Allison, M., Kang, E., Saad, S., Laughlin, G., Araneta, M.R., Barrett-Connor,
E., & Wassel, C.L. Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Are Differentially
Associated with Fat Deposition in Older Adults. American Heart Association Scientific
Sessions, November 2012, Los Angeles, CA.
Larsen, B., Strong, D., Linke, S., & Marcus, B. Differential Influence of Recent Contact
with Family and Friends on Physical Activity. American College of Sports Medicine,
May 2012, San Francisco, CA.
Larsen, B. & Marcus, B. Sedentary Time and Diabetes Prevalence in Latinos and NonLatino Whites. Society for Behavioral Medicine, April 2012, New Orleans, LA.
Larsen, B., Christenfeld, N., & Darby, R. Social Support and Cardiovascular Stress
Recovery: Does a Helping Hand Help His Heart, Too? Society for Behavioral Medicine,
May 2011, Washington, DC.
Larsen, B., Christenfeld, N., Darby, R., & Jones, J. Gender differences in supportseeking under stress. Association for Psychological Science, May 2010, Boston, MA.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Summer 2009
Spring 2010
Summer 2010
Fall 2010
Fall 2013
Winter 2015
2010
2010
2009
2009
Principal Instructor
Social Psychology in Medicine, UCSD Psychology Department
Students recommend course:
100%
Students recommend instructor:
100%
Social Psychology, UCSD Psychology Department
Students recommend course:
96%
Students recommend instructor:
91%
Social Psychology in Medicine, UCSD Psychology Department
Students recommend course:
100%
Students recommend instructor:
100%
Social Psychology in Medicine, UCSD Psychology Department
Students recommend course:
97%
Students recommend instructor:
100%
Social Psychology, UCSD Psychology Department
Students recommend course:
97%
Students recommend instructor:
84%
Health Behavior & Chronic Disease, UCSD Department of Family
Medicine & Public Health
Students recommend course:
80%
Students recommend instructor:
94%
Teaching Assistant
University of California, San Diego
Impulse Control Disorders, Professor: George Koob, Ph.D.
Clinical Neuropsychology, Professor: Fred Rose, Ph.D.
Guest lecture, “Neuropsychiatric Rehabilitation”
Adolescence, Professor: Annette Cluver, Ph.D.
Social Psychology in Sports, Professor: Nicholas Christenfeld, Ph.D.
2009
2009
2008
2008
2008, 2007
2007
2007
2007
2007
2006
2006
2005
2003-2004
Illusions and the Brain, Professor: Kevin Dooley, M.A.
Guest lecture, “Color Vision and Face Processing”
Emotion, Professor: Christine Harris, Ph.D.
Guest lecture, “Emotions and Health”
Abnormal Psychology, Professor: Fred Rose, Ph.D.
Guest lecture, “Schizophrenia”
Clinical Psychology, Professor: Kristen Anderson, Ph.D.
Social Psychology, Professor: James Kulik, Ph.D.
Guest lecture, “Interpersonal Attraction”
Guest lecture, “Emotions”
Social Psychology, Professor: Nicholas Christenfeld, Ph.D.
Guest lecture, “Prejudice and Stereotyping”
Statistics, Professor: Timothy Rickard, Ph.D.
Biological Psychology, Professor: Jennifer Evans, Ph.D.
Guest lecture, “Stress and Health”
Sensation and Perception, Professor: David Peterzell, Ph.D.
Human Sexuality, Professor: Amanda Roberts, Ph.D.
Eating Disorders, Professor: Amanda Roberts, Ph.D.
Drugs, Addiction, and Mental Disorders, Professor: George Koob, Ph.D.
Guest lecture, “Caffeine: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”
Wellesley College
Freshman Writing Seminar, one-on-one writing instructor
Teaching Interests
Public Health
Epidemiology
Quantitative Methods for Social Sciences
Physiological Psychology
Health Psychology
Research Methods
Social Psychology
Positive Psychology
MENTORING AND RESEARCH ADVISING
Undergraduate Research Assistants:
UCSD Undergraduates completing research assistantships in my lab, 2006-2015:
Paul Iskin, Matthew Fontes, Andres Onetto, Christina Pascarzi, Naomi Shiffman, Jordan Damp,
Janine Sparks, Shamin Patel, Fernando Ortega, Ingrid Fuh, Ryan Flach, Jason Gravano, Holly
Velasco, Andrew Bryant, George Mardoyan, Marta Rivelis, Thien-Chi Fong, Jessica Lee,
Dianne Durano, Chris Hirahitake, Mayra Cano, Fatima Castaneda
UCSD Faculty Mentoring Program students:
2014 – 2015
Fatima Castaneda
Honors Thesis Advising:
Jason Gravano, BS Honors Thesis, 2009. “Competition and Dating Partner Appraisals”
Advisors: Britta Larsen & Nicholas Christenfeld
*Awarded best honors research project of 2009