Travis Research Institute


Where important new ideas are explored.
Research in the School of Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller Seminary takes place within the context of the Travis Research Institute (TRI). Under the leadership of Director Warren Brown, TRI has established and maintains an infrastructure that encourages large-scale collaborative research and facilitates obtaining funding for a variety of projects.


Furthering Excellence in Interdisciplinary Research
The mission of the Travis Research Institute is to solidly support, encourage, and fund excellent and often groundbreaking research in the School of Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy, to enhance the understanding of human nature toward the relief of disorder and distress. TRI is committed to fostering interdisciplinary research into the relationships between social systems, environmental situations, personality, mental and affective states, cognitive processes, neurobiological functions, and spiritual and religious states and practices.
TRI Research Labs
At the intersection of science, psychology, and theology is the work of research: testing and exploring new hypotheses to expand human knowledge. Most doctoral faculty in the School of Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy have “laboratories,” consisting of a team of faculty, collaborators, research assistants, and students conducting research focused on a particular topic.
Human Brain & Cognition
Warren S. Brown, PhD
Dr. Brown's lab researches the cognitive and psychosocial impact of variations in connectivity and communication between cerebral hemispheres.
Culture, Children, and Families
Joey Fung, PhD
Dr. Fung's lab studies culture and family processes, adolescent depression and mindfulness, and spirituality.
Headington Research Lab
Cynthia Eriksson, PhD
Dr. Eriksson's lab conducts research and consultation to support trauma-informed ministry.
Imperfect Culture
Kenneth Wang, PhD
Dr. Wang's lab explores the ways culture and perfectionism intersect with well-being, religiousness, and assessment.
Cultural Psychology and Narrative Inquiry
Jenny Pak, PhD
Dr. Pak's lab explores the question: How do cultural and religious values impact emotional processes in psychotherapy, trauma, and aging?
Spirituality and Health
Alexis Abernethy, PhD
Tina Armstrong, PhD
Dr. Abernethy's & Dr. Armstrong's lab examines the influence of spirituality on preventive health behaviors, disease, and psychological functioning.
Adversity, Trauma, and Resilience
Lisseth Rojas-Flores, PhD
Dr. Rojas-Flores's lab examines cultural issues as they impact psychology and faith.
Human Sexuality
Steve Simpson, PhD
Dr. Simpson's lab focuses on psychological issues of human sexuality.
Resilience and Cogmed
Anne Nolty, PhD, ABPP-CN
with Stacy Amano, PhD
This lab works to understand the neuropsychological and personality profiles of adolescents who have been involved in prostitution.
Thrive: Youth and Spiritual Development
Pamela Ebstyne King, PhD
Dr. King's lab researches adolescent thriving and spirituality.
Integration/ Embodiment
Brad Strawn, PhD
Dr. Strawn's lab focuses its work on the relationship between psychology and Christian faith including the role of the human body.
Psychological Learning
Sung Kim, PhD
Dr. Kim's lab studies assessment, text data, brain scans, machine learning, and deep learning.
Other Research
Cultural Psychology of Religion
Alvin Dueck, PhD
Dr. Dueck's lab focuses on indigenous psychologies in terms of personality, pathology, and therapy.
Religious Coping and Support
Jeffrey Bjorck, PhD
Dr. Bjorck's lab studies religious faith as a support and coping resource among diverse groups.
Christian Counseling and Integration
Siang Yang Tan, PhD
Dr. Tan's students do research work in a variety of areas.
Families Raising Children with Autism
Brie Turns, PhD
Dr. Turn's research focuses on how to enhance the parent-child relationship, navigating the sibling relationship, and how churches can assist families.
Restorative Therapy
Terry Hargrave, PhD
Dr. Hargrave's research focuses on the evaluation and effectiveness of Restoration Therapy.
Clinical Process and Outcome
Alison Wong, PhD
Dr. Wong's research focuses on the therapy process and client outcomes, as well as health issues like narcolepsy.
Recent News
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Immigration Beyond Politics: Researchers at Fuller Seminary Examine How Detention and Deportation Inflict Psychological Trauma on Citizen Children
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FULLER, CALTECH COMPLETE $1.3 MILLION STUDY OF COMPASSION AND CARE IN L’ARCHE COMMUNITIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED
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FULLER SEMINARY’S SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY RECEIVES GRANT FOR THE STUDY OF SPIRITUAL MINDFULNESS AND EMPATHY

Contact Us
t. 626.584.5544
email: tri@fuller.edu
Staff
Jim Cummings, MDiv, MA
Research Administrator
jamescummings2@fuller.edu
Office Hours
Monday–Friday
8 am–5 pm
Address
Room 326
180 N. Oakland Ave
Pasadena, CA 91182