Dr. Bettina Casad, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), will speak about her research 1-1:50 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, in 318 Butler-Carlton Hall. Casad’s research focuses on the effects of threatening environments on women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Casad’s research program examines antecedents, mediators and consequences of prejudice and discrimination for women in STEM fields. She will present studies:

1. reporting a theoretical model of threatening educational environments
2. examining stereotype threat and cardiovascular challenge and threat responses
3. effects of sexism in teams and the role of affect and motivation
4. moderators and consequences of self-regulation failure after experiencing sexism

All studies highlight the need to use multiple methods and integrate theories from social psychology and neuroscience to develop a deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of women’s underrepresentation in STEM.