Lauren Berger

Assistant Professor, Psychological Sciences

Lauren holds a B.A. in psychology and pre-professional studies from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of California, Davis. Lauren served as associate director of the Asian American Center on Disparities Research for five years before joining Whitman College as a visiting assistant professor and Consortium for Faculty Diversity Fellow. Lauren’s research interests focus on using theory-driven, community-based approaches to reduce mental health disparities among ethnic minority populations. Her interests have led to interdisciplinary collaborations with colleagues in psychology, medicine, nursing, public health, theater, correctional institutions, and community agencies. Lauren has coordinated multiple conferences focused on culture, ethnicity, race, and health disparities issues. She has received awards from the American Psychological Association, Asian American Psychological Association, and University of California, Davis for her work with underserved populations and mentorship of underrepresented students. Outside of the classroom, Lauren loves to travel and relishes the opportunity to explore new places, immerse herself into diverse cultures, support local and traditional artists/makers, and build relationships with people all over the world. An avid baseball fan, she also enjoys catching games at major and minor league ballparks throughout the US and Canada.