Jennifer Silva Brown

Jennifer Silva Brown

Phone: (417)873-7213
E-mail: jsilvabrown@drury.edu
Office: Pearsons Hall 201-B

Dr. Silva Brown earned her doctoral degree in cognitive-developmental psychology from Louisiana State University. She also attended the University of New Hampshire, where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology with a specialization in behavioral neuroscience. She enjoys every minute of being in the classroom and feels passionate about teaching students. Dr. Silva Brown teaches introduction to psychology, research methods, health psychology, psychology of adulthood, cognitive psychology, and advanced behavioral research courses.

Prior to coming to Drury, Dr. Silva Brown worked for the Louisiana Healthy Aging Study and conducted research identifying the determinants of successful aging. Currently, her research focuses on the retention of cognitive ability, maintenance of physical health, and utilization of social networks in later adulthood. Dr. Silva Brown is also interested in the coping methods, presence of support networks, and resilience outcomes among Alzheimer's caregivers. She has co-authored research that is published in 'The Journal of Applied Social Psychology', 'The Handbook of Clinical Psychology', 'Lifespan Perspectives on Natural Disasters: Coping with Katrina, Rita, and other Storms', and 'Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior'. She has also presented symposium sessions at the Southeastern Psychological Association and Gerontological Society of America conferences.

Dr. Silva Brown is also an acting board member of the Southwest Missouri chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, whose mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Dr. Silva Brown considers it to be an honor to support those persons and families affected by Alzheimer's, as well as raise community awareness about this devastating disease.

On a personal note, Dr. Silva Brown is a Boston native and is an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. She loves traveling back to Massachusetts and New Hampshire to visit her mom, dad, and brother during the summer months. However, on most weekends you can find her and her husband Tony, playing with their mischievous orange tabby cats, Mack and Morris, and their daschund mix, Baxter.

Education
B.A., University of New Hampshire, 2003
M.A., University of New Hampshire, 2005
Ph.D., Louisiana State University, 2009

Drury University faculty member since 2009
Assistant Professor since 2009