Research Interests

Stress and adversity resilience, Mindfulness- and acceptance- based interventions for chronic illness prevention, social determinants of health and health disparities, health behaviors, community-based participatory research, biomarkers of stress and disease prevention, psychological determinants of health behaviors (e.g. psychological flexibility, experiential acceptance), and health policy.

Biography

Megan is pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Health Psychology and holds an MA in Integrative Health Studies from CIIS, and a BA in psychology, with an emphasis on cognitive psychology. She has extensive knowledge in ayurvedic medicine and yogic philosophy. Her research examines how our perceptions impact physiology (such as inflammatory biomarkers and cortisol), social connection, and long-term health behaviors underlying noncommunicable diseases. With an interest in factors that promote resilience to adversity, she focuses on translational work that informs how research on health mindsets can inform behavioral interventions and public policy.

Megan has a thriving integrative health coaching practice and is the founder of COPIA Health, a company dedicated to teaching integrative, mindful, and sustainable lifestyle practices for individual, community, and environmental flourishing. She has done program development and facilitation for diverse organizations, including integrative medicine centers, transitional women's homes, social worker training centers, environmental awareness groups, benefit corporations, and health and wellness centers.

Megan's courses focus on both experiential and scientific knowledge, supporting students in establishing meditative practices, integral lifestyle practices, social and cultural awareness, personal and community empowerment, social equality, and wellness entrepreneurship. She teaches Mindfulness and Stress Physiology, Sustainable Health and Ecological Resilience, and the Wellness Entrepreneurship. Read more about these courses on the Master's in Integral Health program page.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Social Psychology, University of Oregon, Social Affective Neuroscience Lab, Expected 2024

Master of Science (MS), Social Psychology, University of Oregon, Social Affective Neuroscience Lab, 2022

Certificate in Human Investigations, Oregon Health Sciences University’s School of Medicine & Oregon Clinical and Translational Institute, Expected 2023

Master of Arts (MA), Integrative Health Studies, California Institute of Integral Studies, 2011

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Summa Cum Laude, Psychology, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2006                            

Awards & Distinctions

Predoctoral Research Fellowship, Clinical and Translational Research (TL1 equivalent), (Expected completion Spring 2023), Oregon Health Sciences University’s School of Medicine & Oregon Clinical and Translational Institute GEC Award for Positive Change, University of Oregon, 2022

Grant from the Center for Science Communication Research, School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon: “Preventing Type 2 Diabetes through using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Principles to Target Illness Perceptions and Controllability Awareness in Educational Materials”, 2020-2022

GEC Research Award, Graduate School, University of Oregon, 2019

Courses

Mindfulness and Stress Physiology

Sustainable Health and Ecological Resilience 

Contemporary Topics in Integrative 

Health Integrative Seminar

Publications

Lipsett, M., Berkman, E., & Creswell, D. (in review). Habits of Mind: Mindful Awareness from a Habits Framework, APA Books.  

Lipsett, M., & Berkman, E. (in prep). Psychological Determinants of Diabetes Prevention and Management Behaviors and Related Distress: The Key Role of Controllability Awareness and Psychological Flexibility.  

Lipsett, M., Mendes, S., Wyant-Stein, K., Berger, E., Zalewski, M. & Cioffi, C., (in prep). Dissemination Strategies to Address Stigma and Improve Quality of Care for Parents with Substance Use Disorders, Frontiers in Psychiatry - Addiction Disorders.  

Lipsett, M., Smith, B., Mantell, B., Berkman, E., (in review). Psychological, behavioral, and neural adaptations following self-regulatory errors and their relationship to dietary behavior, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.

Lipsett, M. & Creswell, D. (in prep). Mindful Response to Adversity: A brief Stress Resilience Training.