iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

If you're attending @sansmeeting.bsky.social later this week, be sure to stop by Sofia's poster on Thursday where she will presesnt some of these exciting findings! (poster # P1-A-4). #wpi #neuroscience #fnirs #digitalmediause #mentalhealth #wellbeing

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Sofia's thesis fills in a critical cap in our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying problematic digital media use behaviors that could put some young people at higher risk of experiencing poor mental health and wellbeing. 2/3

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Proud advisor moment: yesterday, @wpiedu.bsky.social graduate student Sofia Knopf defended her masters thesis titled, "Associations between problematic social media use, mental health indicators, and inhibitory control: evidence from functional near-infrared spectroscopy." 1/3

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Major kudos to @poojak.bsky.social for her major contributions to this project! Also I'm very thankful for our great team of co-authors (Bryan, Pauline, Ariana, @malfrie.bsky.social, and @dororeis.bsky.social).

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Major thanks to @kaitlynmwerner.bsky.social for her equal contributions to this project, as well as to our amazing team of co-authors: @wilhelmhofmann.bsky.social, @blairsaunders.bsky.social, Gabriel Traub, and @dcosme.bsky.social. 8/9

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

The takeaway: Effective behavior change isn't about finding one "best" strategy. It's about having a toolbox of techniques and understanding that focusing on resisting unhealthy options can surprisingly boost your healthy eating goals. 7/9

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

🎯 The target matters most. Training focused on unhealthy foods had stronger and more persistent effects than training focused on healthy foods. It also led to positive "transfer effects," increasing craving and consumption of healthy foods. 6/9

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

❌ But, "earlier is better" isn't the full story. Contrary to some theorizing, situational strategies were not consistently more effective than cognitive reappraisal. Flexibility in your approach may be key. 5/9

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

We found that: ✅ Both strategies tend to work. Training in either was generally better than no training at promoting healthier eating habits... 4/9

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

We trained people in two types of self-regulation strategies: 🔹 Situational strategies (e.g., not buying highly-processed, calorie-dense food in the first place) 🔹 Cognitive reappraisal (e.g., reframing how you think about repeatedly eating a particular food) 3/9

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Wondering about how to promote healthy eating in daily life? New research reveals it's not just about willpower, but about which strategy you use, and what you target. 1/9

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

We found that: ✅ Both strategies tend to work. Training in either was generally better than no training at promoting healthier eating habits... 4/9

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

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Reposted by Richard Lopez

Wilhelm Hofmann @wilhelmhofmann.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

🚨 We’re hiring! 🚨 The Social&Environmental Psychology Group @ruhr-uni-bochum.de is recruiting 2 PhDs and 1 Postdoc as part of the ERC-funded SUSCON project on sustainable consumption. Details here: PhDs:👉 jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/7... Postdoc:👉 jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/e...

jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de

Doctoral Researcher (m,f,x)

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

Earlier this year I had the privilege of giving my first TEDx talk! I'm so grateful I could discuss an issue I'm particularly passionate about. Link below! ⬇️

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Reposted by Richard Lopez

Paul Carini @uncultured.carinilab.com · 17/06/2025

It's NSF CAREER season! I've been fortunate to review dozens of CAREER grants and received one in 2022. Here are the most common mistakes I see and actionable tips to strengthen your proposal.

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

I hope it will drive meaningful progress in research and policymaking, while also serving as a catalyst for broader, collaborative efforts to build nuanced consensus on other critical topics. #TeamScience #SocialMedia #MentalHealth #PolicyForGood

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

So grateful that I had the opportunity to contribute to this timely project. 1/2

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Reposted by Richard Lopez

capessuicideprev.bsky.social @capessuicideprev.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Your mental health matters! Good mental health can help you cope with stress and improve your quality of life. #MentalHealthMonth #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #mentalwellness #therapy #peersupport #

green figure of a person with puzzle pieces in their brain, a ribbon and title "May is mental health awareness month"

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

We had a great research projects showcase hosted by @wpiedu.bsky.social's Department of Social Science & Policy Studies! Congrats to Brianna Romero, a senior in the SNAP Lab, for presenting her capstone project: “Neurophysiological Correlates of Social Feedback on a Mock Social Media Platform.”

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

Enjoying my first time attending @affectscience.bsky.social's annual meeting! If you're here in Portland, come check out my poster on longitudinal training self-regulation in the eating domain from 3:15 - 4:45pm PT! #affectivescience #sas2025 #selfregulation #healthyeating

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

We gave an assembly on healthy patterns of technology use to maximize meaningful social connection and wellbeing through middle school (and beyond). 2/2 #DigitalWellbeing #HealthyTechHabits #STEMoutreach #CommunityEngagement

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

I had the great privilege of bringing an amazing group of @wpiedu.bsky.social students to Central Tree Middle School in Rutland... 1/2

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Reposted by Richard Lopez

AJ Ferguson @pantsdancetrance.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Psych and Neuro starter packs! 🧠 Develop Psych go.bsky.app/9kHQS7i Cog Neuro 1 go.bsky.app/2n84SRM Soc Psych 1 go.bsky.app/J4gmGmV Soc Psych 2 go.bsky.app/B5LmAbf Diversity Soc Psych go.bsky.app/MAoGLF4 Personality Psych go.bsky.app/TwHBMQi Health Psych go.bsky.app/9Xfk7Wo

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Society for Affective Science @affectscience.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

🌟 New Issue Alert! 🌟  Discover how social media shapes emotions across ages, cultures, and contexts! Dive into 18 groundbreaking articles on everything from adolescent self-evaluations to #MeToo moral discourse. 🧠📱✨ 📰 Read it now at Affective Science! link.springer.com/journal/4276...

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

I look forward to reconnecting with old friends and colleagues, as well as forging new connections here! 4/4

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

I, like so many of us, have been grappling with the role of AI in our lives. Some of my recent reflections are available here (www.templeton.org/news/a-meani...) as well as in this recent WPI podcast episode (youtu.be/mD3xo8utrvU?...). 3/4

templeton.org

A Meaningful Life in the Age of AI

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

I direct the Social Neuroscience of Affective Processes (SNAP) Lab (wp.wpi.edu/snaplab/) at WPI, where my students and I investigate these topics. 2/4

wp.wpi.edu

SNAP Lab @WPI

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Since there's been a flurry of new activity here in the past month or so, I thought I'd (re)introduce myself: I'm a social neuroscientist interested in emotions, goals, and values, and how we can leverage them to promote health and wellbeing in daily life. 1/4

media.tenor.com

a man in a white tank top and hat is standing on a boat in the ocean .

ALT: a man in a white tank top and hat is standing on a boat in the ocean .

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Congratulations Kaitlyn! So well deserved!

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

3/3 Several recent WPI will also serve as charter members: Andrew Nguyen, Lorena Nunes, Mira Kirschner, and Samantha Curtis.

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

2/3 Victoria Corcoran, Margaret Dixon, Aksel Jensen, Sophia Kouznetsov, Mya Lesieur, Korinna Muller, Eva Petschek, Meghan Urukawa, and Zirui Zhang.

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

So excited that a chapter of Psi Chi is launching at WPI! www.wpi.edu/news/announc... I am honored to serve as the faculty advisor for the group, and a special shout out to the amazing students who will be inducted in the spring: 1/3

wpi.edu

International Psychology Honor Society Coming to WPI | Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology, is proud to announce the addition of a Psi Chi Chapter at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The WPI Psi Chi Chapter will be installed in the spri...

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 17/09/2024

Special thanks to Dr. Denise Dunlap and Lanifaith Gacula for organizing such a wonderful event! #researchsymposium #UMassLowell #socialmedia #mentalhealth #ai

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 17/09/2024

while Eva Petschek, Victoria Corcoran, and Mya Lesieur presented research on psychological factors associated with social media use that may be viable targets for future intervention studies. 3/4

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 17/09/2024

Sophia Kouznetsov and Brianna Romero presented their study on how different motives to use Instagram are associated with anxiety symptoms, 2/4

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 17/09/2024

Last week my lab and I had the great privilege of attending and presenting at the "Friend or Foe" research symposium sponsored by UMass Lowell and NIH-sponsored CAPES Suicide Prevention center. 1/4

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/09/2024

Special thanks to the American Psychological Foundation and the APA Minority Fellowship Program for their generous support! #neuroscience #professionaldevelopment #MFPfamily

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Richard Lopez @richlopez41.bsky.social · 02/09/2024

This program not only was incredibly useful and timely (especially with respect to tools and tricks to improve grant writing), but it provided me with an amazing support network and mentors going forward so I can continue to thrive and grow as a neuroscientist and a mentor to others. 2/3

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