Angela Incollingo Rodriguez is an assistant professor of Psychological & Cognitive Sciences and a faculty member in the new WPI Neuroscience Initiative. In addition to collaborating on interdisciplinary research teams across campus - including the Chronic Pain Research Group - she also directs her own lab - the WPI Stigma Eating & Endocrinology Dynamics (SEED) Lab.
Her research program uses a biopsychosocial approach to study health and health behaviors. She conducts research at the intersection of social phenomena (such as weight stigma), biomarkers (such as the stress hormone cortisol), and psychological factors (such as perceived stress and pain-related distress). Her work follows two core arcs investigating (1) biopsychosocial predictors and consequences of eating, not eating (i.e. dieting), and obesity; and (2) weight stigma and its consequences for physical and mental health, which she is currently extending into the novel context of pregnancy and postpartum health. Her integrated research collaborations focus on stress and health as it relates to pressing societal issues such as discrimination, health disparities, chronic pain, addictive behaviors, and learning.
Dr. Rodriguez is dedicated to teaching and mentoring students. She instructs Social Psychology (PSY 1402), Health Psychology (PSY 2408), Psychophysiology (PSY 2502), and Advanced Psychophysiology (NEU 504) and directs the Global Public Health minor. She also leads an active team of students researchers in the SEED Lab and encourages any interested students to contact her about opportunities to work, volunteer, or conduct projects.
Research Interests
Scholarly Work
Professional Highlights & Honors
News
Media Coverage
Angela Rodriguez, assistant professor in the Social Science and Policy Studies department, wrote an account for the Telegram & Gazette's "As I See It" section on how our culture can more positively reshape its portrayal of the working mom and work-life-balance – especially while in a pandemic.
Assistant Professor of Social Science & Policy Studies, Angela Incollingo Rodriguez, talked about her research surrounding weight stigma in pregnant and postpartum women on the podcast Top of Mind With Julie Rose (36:31 mark), from Brigham Young University Radio. Rodriguez discussed how nearly two-thirds of pregnant and postpartum women experience weight stigma, and that that when pregnant and postpartum women experience weight stigma, they are at risk for depressive symptoms, unhealthy eating behaviors, and stress.