Heather Brister, B.S.
GRADUATE STUDENT
Heather Brister graduated from the University of Washington in 2004 with her Bachelor’s degree in psychology.  While at the University of Washington, she worked with William George, Ph.D., studying the effects of perceived intoxication on likelihood sexual assault within different ethnic backgrounds.  She also worked with Sherri Mizumori, Ph.D., studying event-level neural activity involved in navigation and learning.  While finishing her final year as an undergraduate, Heather worked as a project coordinator with Judith Turner, Ph.D. studying the efficacy of cognitive-behavior therapy in individuals with chronic jaw pain. 

Heather started at the University of Texas at Austin and joined the SAHARA lab in August of 2004.  Once joining the lab, she began studying individual differences in perceived taste perceptions as both a positive reinforcer and a potential risk factor for future alcohol-related problems.  Currently, she is studying individual differences in subjective intoxication as potential risk factors for current and future alcohol-related problems.  Heather hopes to one day utilize fMRI technology to further examine biological substrates involved in drinking motivations.  She also hopes to one day obtain an academic position where she can both teach and continue to study the physiological motivations of alcohol use and abuse.