Dr. Valrie's psychology department web page

My research focuses on improving the health and well-being of youth and young adults at risk for poor health outcomes, with a special emphasis on youth with a chronic illness and Black youth. My primary research line focuses on youth with sickle cell disease (SCD). One of my current projects examines the pain and sleep experiences of youth with SCD, and their combined and interactive influences on the daily lives of youth with SCD. Additional areas of focus include improving the transition to adulthood for patients with SCD, characterizing acute to chronic SCD pain progression, and improving the health of Black youth and reducing health disparities. I am also focused on translating my work into effective pain and sleep interventions, with a focus on eHealth and mHealth interventions.