A
former Fulbright senior research scholar to Democratic Republic of Congo
(formerly Zaire) in 1990-1991 and to Uganda and Kenya (2003-2004), Dr.
Michael Boivin has conducted research and published studies pertaining
to health factors influencing the neuropsychological and cognitive
ability development of children in a variety of international settings.
In organizing these studies, he has trained research assistants in the
use of measures of attentional capacity, cognitive ability, motor
development and neuropsychological function in a variety of health
psychology contexts in both the urban and rural settings.
More
recently his work in health psychology has involved adults as well and
include his students in the study of the effects of social support
during treatment for breast cancer on spiritual well-being and
quality-of-life considerations and the subsequent relationship of these
on immunological response; the effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
on neuropsychological abilities and quality of life (in collaboration
with Steve Foley, M.D. of Lifetime Wellness Solutions Clinic, Fishers,
Ind.); and the effects of early cerebral malaria on neuropsychological
development in young Ugandan children (Fulbright research award).
In
addition to his doctorate in experimental analysis of behavior and
postdoctoral work in brain imaging and neuropsychology, he has a Masters
in Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of Michigan in public
health policy and analysis. Throughout his career, he has consistently
endeavored to integrate his training and experiences in experimental
analysis of behavior, pediatric neuropsychological assessment, cognitive
ability testing in the cross-cultural context, brain/behavior
neuroimaging research and public health training. He has also been
interested in the theological implications of such work in understanding
human nature.
