Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the industrialized world and in the United States. In addition to causing death and disability, heart disease creates an enormous economic burden for our society. Research in the Cardiovascular Psychophysiology Laboratory focuses on characterizing responses of the cardiovascular system in order to illuminate the physiological mechanisms whereby psychological factors may be implicated in the initiation, progression, and endpoints of cardiovascular disease. Much of our research takes place at local medical centers and in the community. Current collaborators include Summa Health System, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and Case Western Reserve University. Lab Address: Cardiovascular Psychophysiology Lab Kent State University 350 Kent Hall Kent, OH 44242 330.672.6308 Principal Investigator: Joel W. Hughes, Ph.D. FAACVPR Associate Professor, Psychology 378 Kent Hall Kent, OH 44242 330.672.7721 jhughes1@kent.edu Affiliations: Dr. Hughes is also Scientific Director of the Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute at Summa Health System.