Faculty:

Cindy Meston, Ph.D.

Contact:

Alessandra Rellini, M.A.
alerellini@hotmail.com

Description:

There are several projects at our lab, all of them involve some aspect of human sexuality. Most of our projects focus on female sexuality. The most current studies look at treating sexual dysfunctions with sex therapy and with herbal extracts. We are also investigating the sexual complaints of women with a history of sexual abuse. We are looking at the sympathetic nervous system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and psychological components of the sexual concerns of trauma survivors with and without post traumatic stress disorder. We are getting ready to start some new studies on the way steroid hormones impact sexual functioning in women throughout their development and also how exercise may play a role in the system. Some studies look at language and the way we use language to express our sexual self and how this may differ between women with and without sexual dysfunctions.

Qualifications:

GPA in Psychology >3.0. Sophomores preferred. If Senior must have had prior experience in research labs. We prefer people who are interested in staying one year or longer.

Duties:

The assistants will have to commit to work in the lab for 10 hrs per week during Fall and Spring and 8 hrs during the Summer, in blocks of 3-4 hrs. Our assistants receive a broad range of training according to how long they commit to our lab, the needs of the lab and their personal interest. Duties include phone screening potential participants and making diagnosis of sexual dysfunctions following DSM4tr criteria, data management, data entry, data analysis, using and maintaining physiological equipment, literature review, managements of large pool of participants, project presentations to lab meetings, conducting psychological standardized interviews. Depending on the needs of the lab, there might be the opportunity to learn about cortisol, testosterone, and Norepinephrine electro immuno assays, and collection and storage of biological specimens.

Other Information:

There are positions available for several women and one man. We are looking for people who will fit the atmosphere in the lab: we work hard but we like having fun together. You must be a team player and MUST be able to work independently and conscientiously. We want people who are motivated and mature. If you think you may fit this description, send me an e-mail and we will organize a time for an interview. To prepare for the interview you will need your c.v., list of classes you took, your GPA and be ready to talk about what you are expecting from working in our lab. Check out our web page: www.mestonlab.com