Ph.D., Experimental Psychology, Specialization in Health Psychology, The Ohio University
M.S., Experimental Psychology, Specialization in Health Psychology, The Ohio University
B. A. Psychology, Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio
Areas of Expertise:
Psychology of health and illness, in particular the acute and chronic effects of stress on the brain and body; behavioral medicine including the biological, psychological, social, and behavioral moderators of disease pathogenesis.
Courses I Teach:
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Psychology of Health and Illness
- Statistics and Research Methods II
Areas of Research:
Physiological effects of psychological stress, in particular how stress-induced physiological reactivity (e.g. cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, and immunological) may lead to deleterious health effects and cognitive functioning; acute and chronic effects of stress on the mind and body.
My colleague Anthony Richardson, Ph.D. and I formed the Psychophysiology and Virtual Reality Laboratory at Saint Michael's College where we use impedance cardiography, neuroendocrine and immune system markers, and virtual navigation simulations to address our research interests.
Publications:
Richardson, A. E.,† & VanderKaay Tomasulo, M. M.† (2011). Influence of acute stress on spatial tasks in humans. Physiology & Behavior, 103(5), 459-466. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.03.019 Note. † Denotes both authors contributed equally to the manuscript.
Patterson, S. M., VanderKaay, M. M., Shanholtzer, B. A., & Patterson, C. A. (2008). Influence of acute fluid hydration on stress-induced hemoconcentration and cardiovascular reactivity. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 31(4), 319-330. doi:10.1007/s10865-008-9162-7
VanderKaay, M. M., & Patterson, S. M. (2006). Nicotine and acute stress: Effects of nicotine versus placebo on stress-induced hemoconcentration and cardiovascular reactivity. Biological Psychology, 71(2), 191-201. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2005.04.006
Presentations:
Note. *Denotes co-author is a Saint Michael's College current student or graduate.
VanderKaay Tomasulo, M., *Zimmer, N. K., & *Olsen, M. A. (2013). Stress-induced cardiovascular and neuroendocrine reactivity within habitual, intermittent, and non-smokers. Poster presented at the Annual Vermont Genetics Network Annual Retreat, Burlington, Vermont.
*Zimmer, N. K.,*Olsen, M. A., & VanderKaay Tomasulo, M. (2013). Coping styles, enriched environment, and stress-induced cardiovascular reactivity among habitual, intermittent, and non-smokers. Presented at the Vermont Genetics Network Annual Career Day, Burlington, Vermont.
VanderKaay Tomasulo, M. (2012). Incorporating the iPad into a college course. Invited presentation at the 10th Annual Teaching with Technology Workshop, Saint Michael's College, Colchester, Vermont.
VanderKaay Tomasulo, M. M., Richardson, A. E., *Hanko, E.,*Sparks, R., & *Willette, A. (2011). HPA activation by a socially evaluative cold pressor test leads to sex differences in spatial attention. Poster presented at the 23rd Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, D.C.
*Hanko, E., VanderKaay Tomasulo, M. M., & Richardson, A. E. (2010). Impact of acute stress on cardiovascular reactivity and spatial performance. Poster presented at the 18th Annual Vermont Space Grant Consortium (VT-NASA EPSCoR), Burlington, Vermont.
*Amey, K. N., & VanderKaay Tomasulo, M. M. (2010). Past sexual education and religiosity: An analysis of college students’ sexual ideologies and current sexual practices. Poster presented at the New England Psychological Association Conference, Colchester, Vermont.
Richardson, A. E., VanderKaay Tomasulo, M. M., & *Allen, R. L. (2010). Impact of stress on cardiovascular reactivity and neuroendocrine responses in spatial tasks. Poster presented at the 22nd Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science in Boston, Massachusetts.
*Pietroski, J. M., & VanderKaay Tomasulo, M. M. (2010). Effects of low dose nicotine administration and nicotine abstinence on stress-induced cardiovascular reactivity in a sample of chippers. Poster presented at the 16th Annual Meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Baltimore, Maryland.
*Allen, R. L., Richardson, A. E., & VanderKaay Tomasulo, M. M. (2009). The impact of psychological stress on cardiovascular reactivity and neuroendocrine responses in virtual navigation and spatial learning tasks. Poster presented at the 17th Annual Vermont Space Grant Consortium (VT-NASA EPSCoR), Burlington, Vermont.
*Murphy, M., Kirshenbaum, A., & VanderKaay, M. M. (2007). Psychophysiological measurement of human sexual attraction based upon fertility status detected through odor changes across the female life span. Poster presented at the 1st Annual NorthEastern Evolutionary Psychology Society Meeting, New Paltz, New York.