Radha V. Gholkar office: Room 1220, Bio-Psych Bldg email: rgholkar@psyc.umd.edu

Background Information 

I graduated from New York University in 2001 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Anthropology, and spent the next two years working at the Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine under the direction of leading pharmacologists such as Elisabeth Houtsmuller and Maxine Stitzer. I came to the Clinical Program here at Maryland in 2004, to work with my primary advisor, Dr. Barry Smith, with whom I found I could pursue my research interests in both psychophysiology/pharmacology and cross cultural psychology. I became affiliated with Dr. Lejuez's lab last year as well, which has served to enhance my graduate research training. 

Research Interests 

My research interests are two-pronged: I'm interested in both psychophysiology/pharmacology and cross cultural psychology, with a particular emphasis on social concerns. I am currently working on a thesis project regarding substance use in young Asian-Indians in the United States, and am interested in how cross cultural variables such as perceived discrimination and social marginalization play a role. Other areas I plan to explore throughout my training include immigration and arousal, and eating disorders in minority women. 

Outside Interests 

Despite my avid professional interests, my passion is dance! I am a regular member of the Tehreema Mitha Dance Company (www.tehreemamitha-dancecompany.org). 

Selected Publications 

Lejuez, C.W., Hopko, D. R., Levine, S., Gholkar, R., & Collins, L. (invited submission for a special series in the journal Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training; in press). The therapeutic alliance in behavior therapy.