Sam Castelblanco, PhD

Sam Castelblanco, PhD Image
Teaching Assistant Professor
College of Education and Allied Professions
Psychology
828.227.3784

302-C Killian Building

Biography

Dr. Castelblanco earned a bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Vanderbilt University, a master's degree in Psychology with a concentration in Academic Psychology (teaching Psychology) from East Carolina University, and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology (with a Social Psychology focus) from East Tennessee State University. She has been teaching psychology (Asheville-Buncombe Community College, University of North Carolina at Asheville, East Tennessee State University, Western Carolina University) since 2012. Dr. Castelblanco conducts research and mentors undergraduate and graduate students' research in her lab, the Nature & Social Health Lab. Her research interests involve examining the impact of nature exposure on health and well-being. When she's not teaching, you can usually find her in the woods - hiking, mountain biking, or kayaking.

Education

  • Ph D, East Tennessee State University
  • MA, East Carolina University
  • BS, Vanderbilt University

Teaching Interests

<b>Teaching Interests:</b><br>General Psychology<br>Social Psychology<br>Environmental Psychology<br>Behavioral Economics<br>Psychopharmacology<br><br><b>Courses Taught at WCU:</b><br>Advanced Cognitive Psychology (PSY 844)**<br>Psychopharmacology (PSY450)*<br>Cognitive Psychology (PSY444)*<br>Developmental Psychology: Childhood (PSY320)*<br>Careers and Issues in Psychology (PSY250)*<br>General Psychology (PSY150)*<br><b>Undergraduate/Graduate Research Supervision Courses:</b><br>Dissertation (PSY 899)**<br>Thesis (PSY 699)**<br>Thesis Proposal (PSY 599)**<br>Research in Psychology (PSY 480)*<br>Research in Psychology I (PSY 280)*<br>* = Undergraduate<br>** = Graduate<br><br><b>Other Past Teaching Experience:</b><br>Social Psychology (PSY237)<br>Lifespan Development (PSY240)<br>General Psychology (PSY150, PSYC1310)

Research Interests

Dr. Castelblanco's research centers on the role social relationships play in health and well-being. She is especially interested in how nature exposure affects well-being, with an emphasis on its implications for social health.