Faculty Appointments
Biography
Professional Background
Kathi Heffner is an Associate Professor of Nursing, Medicine, and Psychiatry, and the Associate Chief of Research in the Division of Geriatrics and Aging in the Department of Medicine. Her multidisciplinary and interprofessional collaborations and mentorship are aimed at supporting research initiatives that can ultimately foster individuals' health and well-being in later life.
Dr. Heffner's work has been supported by multiple organizational, NIH and other federally funded grants. Her growing leadership in aging research has been recognized locally and nationally, including as a selected scholar for the Tideswell UCSF Emerging Leaders in Aging Program. She is currently the Principal Investigator and Program Director for the Healthy Aging Research Program, supported by the UR Clinical Translational Science Institute, School of Nursing, and Department of Psychiatry.
Research
My research centers on understanding the links between stress and health in older adulthood. I am particularly interested in how stress affects the immune system, and how to promote stress resilience to keep the immune system healthy at older ages. My scientific contributions fall into three areas: (1) implications of stress, including older family caregivers' stress, for healthy immune aging, (2) the influence of sleep and insomnia on stress physiology and inflammation, and (3) the role of social relationships in older adults' stress and stress resilience.
Across these areas, my goal is to identify behavioral interventions that can affect multiple domains of older adults' well-being, including mood and anxiety, cognitive function, pain, and risk for chronic aging-related diseases.
Credentials
Education
1994
BA | University at Buffalo, State University of New York
Psychology
2001
PhD | University of Nevada, Reno
Social Psychology
Post-doctoral Training & Residency
2001 - 2003
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychoneuroimmunology, The Ohio State University
Awards
2017 - 2018
UCSF Tideswell Emerging Leaders in Aging, Leadership Scholar in Research
2015 - 2016
W. G. Stuber Research Fellowship Award
Sponsor: Office of the Senior Associate Dean for Basic Research
Location: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
2014
Selected cohort member; Developing from Within
Sponsor: Mid-Level Academic Women's Leadership Program
Location: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
2013
Excellence in Research Incentive Program Award
Sponsor: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
2009
Citation Poster
Sponsor: American Psychosomatic Society Annual Meeting
2009
Collier Research Award, First Place
Sponsor: Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester
2008
Citation Poster
Sponsor: American Psychosomatic Society, Annual Meeting
2008
Renewal award, National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Program, Clinical Research Program
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
2008
Invitation and Honorarium for attendance
Sponsor: National Institute on Aging
Location: Opportunities for Advancing Behav & Social Research Workshop
2006
Funding recipient, National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Program, Clinical Research Program
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
2006
University International Council, International Travel Award
Sponsor: Ohio University
2005
Faculty Development Award
Sponsor: College of Arts & Science, Ohio University
2000
Social Psychology Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program Competitive Travel Award
Sponsor: University of Nevada, Reno
2000
Graduate Student Association Annual Research Competition, Finalist
Sponsor: University of Nevada, Reno
1998
Graduate Student Association (GSA) Merit Scholarship
Sponsor: University of Nevada, Reno
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Clinical Trials
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Family Caregivers of Dementia Patients
Lead Researcher: Kathi L Heffner
The purpose of the study is to examine the effects of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program and the Living Well (LW) for Dementia Caregivers program, compared to any usual care, to see if the programs might be associated with better immune function, physical and emotional health, and well-being.
This study is looking for individuals age 55 and up who are caring for a loved one (such as a spouse, parent, close friend) who has dementia. Participation includes attending a weekly small group meeting over eight weeks for one of two study programs (determined randomly). Both programs address ways of improving physical and emotional well-being in the context of dementia caregiving. These 8-week programs typically begin in late August at Monroe Community Hospital.
View Study Details
Cognitive Training to Protect Immune Systems of Caregivers: The CTC Project
Lead Researcher: Kathi L Heffner
The purpose of the study is to determine whether two types of in-home “brain-training” programs may have beneficial health effects, including reduced stress and improved immune health, for individuals caring for a loved one (spouse, parent, friend, etc) who has dementia.
Participation involves completing one of our brain training programs with the use of a computer at home a few times a week (when convenient for you), over eight weeks.
Experience or skill with computers is not necessary. If you do not own a computer, one may be provided for you to use during the program period.
View Study Details
Publications
Journal Articles
7/2018
Elliot AJ, Heffner KL, Mooney CJ, Moynihan JA, Chapman BP. "Social Relationships and Inflammatory Markers in the MIDUS Cohort: The Role of Age and Gender Differences." Journal of aging and health.. 2018 Jul 0; 30(6):904-923. Epub 2017 Mar 20.
12/2017
Gallegos AM, Crean HF, Pigeon WR, Heffner KL. "Meditation and yoga for posttraumatic stress disorder: A meta-analytic review of randomized controlled trials." Clinical psychology review.. 2017 Dec 0; 58:115-124.
11/15/2017
Lin F, Ren P, Wang X, Anthony M, Tadin D, Heffner KL. "Cortical thickness is associated with altered autonomic function in cognitively impaired and non-impaired older adults." The Journal of physiology.. 2017 Nov 15; 595(22):6969-6978. Epub 2017 Oct 25.
Books & Chapters
2014
Chapter Title: Stress and immune function in humans: A life-course perspective
Book Title: Handbook of Psychoneuroimmunology
Author List: Moynihan, J. A.; Heffner, K. L.; Caserta, M.; O'Connor, T.
Published By: Oxford: John Wiley & Sons 2014
2009
Chapter Title: Psychoneuroimmunology
Book Title: The Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology
Author List: Heffner, K. L.
Published By: Wiley-Blackwell 2009
2009
Chapter Title: Isolation: Health effects
Book Title: The Encyclopedia of Human Relationships
Author List: Heffner, K. L.
Published By: Sage 2009
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