Biography

Dr. Besangie Sellars received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Hampton University in 2003. She completed her PhD in developmental psychology at the University of Michigan, with an emphasis on lifespan and late life development. Currently, Besangie is at the University of Pittsburgh site. During her doctoral studies, Besangie's research focused on the well-being of older minority populations, and the positive role of social relations. She has been involved in research investigating racial and ethnic differences in caregiving preferences, as well as the role of social support in the link between socioeconomic status and health. Her dissertation investigated demographic differences in sex role endorsements, as well as how social relations may impact sex role endorsements across the lifespan. Besangie's general research interests include the factors that promote healthy lifespan development among minority populations. Specifically, she is interested in how social relations can both increase/improve longevity as well as reduce health disparities.