Melissa is interested in the neural-immune and biochemical mechanisms by which individual differences in response to emotion alter resilience to and the progression of disease.
She is also interested in the impact of meditation practice on emotion response and, subsequently, on the neural-immune and biochemical mechanisms underlying resilience or vulnerability to disease.
Publications
Rosenkranz, M.A., Busse, W.W., Sheridan, J.F., Crisafi, G.M. & Davidson, R.J. (2012). Are there neurophenotypes for asthma? Functional brain imaging of the interaction between emotion and inflammation in asthma. PLOS One 7, e40921. PMCID: PMC3411610
Rosenkranz, M.A., Davidson, R.J., MacCoon, D.G., Sheridan, J.F., Kalin, N.H. & Lutz, A. (2013). A comparison of mindfulness-based stress reduction and an active control in modulation of neurogenic inflammation. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity 27, 174-184.
Rosenkranz, M.A. (2007). Substance P at the nexus of mind and body in chronic inflammation and affective disorders. Psychological Bulletin 133, 1007-1037.
Ph.D., Psychology, University of Wisconsin–Madison (2008)
"The ability to live a life that has balance and meaning."
How do people experience emotions over a period of time and what does that say about their resilience and well-being?
Evaluating the Healthy Minds Program Application in a Fully Remote Randomized Controlled Trial
Exploring whether meditation training via mobile technology (e.g., smartphones) could dramatically increase access to potentially beneficial practices.
Examining Individual Differences in Contemplative Practice Response
This study seeks to build upon knowledge from Tibetan medicine through examining well-being data and microbiome measures on a variety of people with varying levels of meditation training who have participated in previous intervention studies to gain a better understanding of what works for whom and why.
Exploring the Effects of Mindfulness Training on Police Officer Resilience and Well-Being
The goals of this work are to understand the impact of mindfulness training on police officer well-being and the well-being of people negatively affected by policing.
Healthy Minds Program Promoting Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Seeking to understand whether large-scale interventions such as the Healthy Minds Program may have a protective effect against stress and mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mindfulness-Based Training and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examining whether experience with mindfulness-based programs and training is helping people cope with daily stress and mental challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Understanding the Mechanisms of Well-Being Training in Adults with and without Asthma
Center scientists and collaborators examine the impact of well-being training.
