St. Jude Research
Chair: Kevin R. Krull, PhD

Department of Psychology & Biobehavioral Sciences

  

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About the Department

The Department of Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences sets the standard for psychological care and biobehavioral research that fosters optimal health potential and quality of life for patients and families affected by pediatric catastrophic diseases. Through an integrated academic focus across clinical, research, and training efforts in pediatric psychology, neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience, the department advances discovery and care across St. Jude. 

An experienced, growing team of faculty leads the department’s cohesive strategy. Department Faculty contribute to innovative research and clinical care initiatives that shape our approach to a patient’s life-long care. We enforce our commitment to this high standard of care through the implementation of novel methodologies and technologies and the ongoing contribution to innovative program initiatives and individualized training experiences for faculty and staff. 

overlapping circles show the connection between clinical, research, and training to form one academic focus

Our approach inspires a spirit of collaboration in which all faculty and staff fulfill a vital role in the standard of care for all patients and share a common vision to realize the St. Jude mission.

In the news

Niki Jurbergs
  • Niki Jurbergs receives APOS award

    Niki Jurbergs, PhD received the Outstanding Clinical Care Award from the American Psychosocial Oncology Society. Learn more about this honor.

Departmental priorities

Research

Read about our translational approach

Clinical care

View our wide range of patient programs

Training

Explore our Learning Opportunities

Faculty

To support the integrated academic focus of the Department, faculty members work across three tracks, Research, Clinician Scientist, and Clinical. The track to which faculty are assigned aligns with their individual institutional roles, duties and interests, and all faculty across the department contribute to shared clinical and research efforts regardless of their track designation.

  • Research track focus:
    • Faculty commit 90% of time to research (90%) and 10% to institutional stewardship.
    • Each member leads an innovative independent research program and collaborates with clinicians in the department and internal and external investigators. 
  • Clinician scientist track:
    • Faculty commit 40 to 75% to research and the rest to providing clinical care and intuitional stewardship.
    • Members serve as Principal Investigators (PIs) on clinical research protocols and collaborate with St. Jude clinicians and may serve as co-investigators on St. Jude protocols and/or collaborative studies coordinated by external sites.
  • Clinical track:
    • Faculty commit 75 to 90% to clinical care and the remainder to research and institutional stewardship.
    • Members serve as a clinical liaison to primary medical or other specialty services, promoting integration of psychological care across populations. For research efforts, members serve as co-investigators on departmental and institutional protocols.

Our investigators contribute to institutional programs across St. Jude, and while faculty may identify a primary association with one program, many are involved with research initiatives from multiple programs.

Meet our Postdoctoral Fellows

Division of Neuropsychology

The Division of Neuropsychology is focused on provision of clinical care for patients most neurologically impacted by their disease and treatment, collaborative clinical investigation that seeks to mitigate the impact of neurobehavioral change on quality of life, and the training of future neuropsychologists. The Division is the home to all clinician and clinician-scientist neuropsychologists and neuropsychology clinical fellows.

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Contact us

Department of Psychology and Biobehavioral Services
MS 740, Room R4000
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678

Email: kevin.krull@stjude.org
Phone: (901) 595-4128
Fax: (901) 595-4701

Preferred contact method: email

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Explore career opportunities in Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences
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