About the SMART LAB

As its title indicates, our lab focuses its research on self-management, adherence, and readiness for transition in care for children, adolescents, and young adults with a variety of chronic health conditions. Our research lab group consists of graduate students and undergraduate research assistants. We meet as a group on a weekly basis. The content of these meetings varies, but often includes didactic presentations by Dr. Duncan or lab members, critical review of journal articles, critical review of lab member projects (e.g., milestone projects, manuscripts, conference presentations), and goal assessment for progress on lab projects and semester plans. Generally speaking, we cover issues pertaining to research methodology, research integrity and ethics, general pediatric psychology topics (outside the specific scope of our lab projects), and professional development (e.g., writing CV’s & application essays, interviewing for grad school or internships, determining authorship).

SMART lab Mission Statement

The SMART Lab at West Virginia University knows that BLACK LIVES MATTER. We are committed to identifying and addressing racial injustice that is inherent in pediatric psychology research and in the field as a whole.
 
The deficit of Black and Brown psychologists as leaders of research and clinical work in pediatric psychology is a detriment to public health. We recognize systemic barriers that contribute to the lack of representation in both clinical work and research. Therefore, we are committed to recruiting and retaining undergraduate and graduate students of color.
 
To learn more about our lab’s action items to this regard, please click on the “Commitment to Diversity” tab or this link: Commitment to Diversity

About the Director

NOTE:  Dr. Duncan will be LEAVING WVU at the end of 2023 for a tenured professor position in the Department of Psychology (Clinical Psychology Program) at OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY.  This move brings her back to her "home" state, near family and friends, and within a superb clinical psychology program and Department!

​Dr. Duncan first joined the faculty at West Virginia University in 1996 as an assistant professor and was later granted tenure and promoted to associate professor. Due to family reasons, she left WVU in 2003 and took a series of faculty positions at different institutions. Dr. Duncan was very pleased to return to her “roots” at WVU in 2010! She served previously as the training coordinator for clinical child psychology from 2010-2018. She is a tenured professor and currently serves as the Director of the Quin Curtis Center for Psychological Services in our Department of Psychology.

Also, Dr. Duncan was honored to receive the WVU Eberly College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Researcher Award (2017), the Ethel & Gerry Heebink Award for Distinguished State Service (Extended Service; 2020), and the Benedum Distinguished Scholar Award (2022) at WVU. In 2023, Dr. Duncan began her 5-year appointed term as Editor of Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology.
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Dr. Duncan has personal interests in cycling, dock diving with one of her Labrador Retrievers, being a dog/cat mom, traveling, cooking, & enjoying time and adventures with her family.