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Perla Vargas

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School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Associate Professor & Assistant Director
Faculty, WEST Campus, Mailcode 3051
Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions
Summer/Winter Research Faculty
Faculty, WEST Campus, Mailcode 3051
Biography: 

Perla A. Vargas is an associate professor of psychology in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at ASU's New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. Vargas received her doctorate in psychology from the University of Arizona in 1995 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins University in 1998. She earned a master's degree in psychology from University of Arizona in 1989 and a bachelor's degree in the subject from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Mexico City) in 1983. Before joining the ASU New College faculty in 2007, Vargas worked in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where in collaboration with allergists / immunologists, she studied asthma and allergic diseases in children.

Using a behavioral epidemiology framework, she studies behavioral processes involved in the management of oral health, asthma, food allergy, sleep, obesity, depression and suicidal behaviors; and is interested in identifying effective methods to improve the management of these conditions among high-risk, underserved populations. She has established research opportunities for students, who can register for 1-6 credits of supervised research or independent study.

Dr. Vargas is widely published and her work has appeared in such peer-reviewed and professional journals as the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Current Obesity Reports, Journal of American College Health, Mexican Journal of Behavior Analysis; Pediatric Pulmonology, and Behavioural Processes. She has presented at conferences for national and international organizations such as the International Society for the Prevention of Tobacco Induced Diseases, Pediatric Academic Societies, and the National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse.

At ASU's West campus, Vargas teaches environmental psychology and health psychology. She directs individualized instruction and supervised research.

Education: 
  • Ph.D. Psychology, University of Arizona 1995 
  • M.S. Psychology, University of Arizona 1989 
  • B.A. Psychology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 1983  
Google Scholar URL: 
Google Scholar Profile
Publications: 

Please see Google Scholar.

Research Activity: 

  • Vargas,Perla A*..Community Engagement Core (Co-Investigator). Health Disparities Research Center: Flavio Marsiglia (PI). P20 NIH/NCMHD $7,213,166, 6/01/2012 - 5/31/2014.

  • Vargas,Perla A*. Associate Director. Research, Education and Training Core. Health Disparities Research Center: Flavio Marsiglia (PI). P20MD002316 NIH/NCMHD,. $7,052,398 - 9/30/2007 - 5/31/2012.

  • Vargas,Perla A*. Consortium for Food Allergy Research-Educational. ACHRI(7/1/2008 - 6/30/2009).
  • Vargas,Perla A*. Consortium for Food Allergy Research-Educational. ACHRI(7/1/2007 - 6/30/2008).
Spring 2021
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 306Environmental Psychology
PSY 462Health Psychology
PSY 493Honors Thesis
PSY 580Practicum
PSY 592Research
PSY 593Applied Project
PSY 599Thesis
Fall 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 399Supervised Research
PSY 492Honors Directed Study
PSY 493Honors Thesis
PSY 499Individualized Instruction
PSY 592Research
PSY 593Applied Project
PSY 599Thesis
Spring 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 306Environmental Psychology
PSY 462Health Psychology
PSY 493Honors Thesis
PSY 592Research
PSY 593Applied Project
PSY 599Thesis
Fall 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 399Supervised Research
PSY 462Health Psychology
PSY 492Honors Directed Study
PSY 493Honors Thesis
PSY 494Special Topics
PSY 499Individualized Instruction
PSY 592Research
PSY 593Applied Project
PSY 598Special Topics
PSY 599Thesis
Spring 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 306Environmental Psychology
PSY 462Health Psychology
PSY 493Honors Thesis
PSY 592Research
PSY 593Applied Project
PSY 599Thesis
Fall 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 399Supervised Research
PSY 462Health Psychology
PSY 492Honors Directed Study
PSY 499Individualized Instruction
PSY 592Research
PSY 593Applied Project
PSY 598Special Topics
PSY 599Thesis
Summer 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 599Thesis
Spring 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 306Environmental Psychology
PSY 462Health Psychology
PSY 493Honors Thesis
MAS 585Capstone Course
PSY 592Research
PSY 593Applied Project
PSY 599Thesis
Fall 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 399Supervised Research
PSY 462Health Psychology
PSY 492Honors Directed Study
PSY 499Individualized Instruction
PSY 592Research
PSY 593Applied Project
PSY 595Continuing Registration
PSY 598Special Topics
PSY 599Thesis
Summer 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 593Applied Project
PSY 595Continuing Registration
PSY 599Thesis
Spring 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 306Environmental Psychology
PSY 399Supervised Research
PSY 462Health Psychology
PSY 494Special Topics
PSY 592Research
PSY 595Continuing Registration
PSY 599Thesis
Fall 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 399Supervised Research
PSY 462Health Psychology
PSY 499Individualized Instruction
PSY 592Research
PSY 595Continuing Registration
PSY 598Special Topics
PSY 599Thesis
Presentations: 
  • Velez-Bermudez M*, Hartman C*, Vargas PA. Facebook: A meet and greet for risk-takers?. 2014 Social Psychologists of Arizona Conference (Nov 2014).
  • Hartman C*, Velez-Bermudez M*, Vargas PA. A Roadmap for Beating the College Blues. 2014 Social Psychologists of Arizona Conference (Nov 2014).
  • Kulis S, Marsiglia F & Vargas PA. Depression, Suicidal Ideation and High-Risk Behaviors Among Underserved Youths in Central Mexico. XVIII ISA World Congress of Sociology. Yokohama, Japan, July 13-19, 2014 (Jul 2014).
  • Vargas PA, Morton T*, Flores M*, Robles E. Sleeping Patterns and Psychological Risk Factors among College Students. 2014 Pediatric Academic Societies' Annual Meeting (May 2014).
  • Vargas PA. Understanding and Addressing Asthma Medication Non-Adherence. Meeting of the Arizona Asthma Coalition (May 2014).
  • Vargas PA. Improving Asthma Outcomes in Arizona: Health Literacy and Asthma. Meeting of the Arizona Asthma Coalition (May 2013).
  • Vargas PA. Medication Adherence: From Bench to Bedside. PAS Topic Symposium. PAS, Denver Co May 3rd, 2011. Meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies (May 2011).
  • M Duhaime; D Fendon; M Durfey; M Moorhead; PA Vargas. Food Allergies in the School: A Fear Factor. 2010 New College Homecoming Academic Expo (Oct 2010).
  • Vargas PA. Challenges and Strategies for Effective Use of the NIH Guidelines. Arizona Asthma Coalition Annual Conference (May 2009).
  • Vargas PA. Improving Adherence through Cultural Competence. Annual Conference Arizona Asthma Coalition (May 2009).
  • PA Vargas, M Keaveny, A Stankus, E Robles, YD Tasev, A Norton, SM Jones. Evaluation of Food Allergy Management Curriculum for School Health Personnel. Annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association (Apr 2009).
  • PA Vargas, M Keaveny, A Stankus, E Robles, YD Tasev, A Norton, SM Jones. Evaluation of Food Allergy Management Curriculum for School Health Personnel. Annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association (Mar 2009).
  • Keaveny M, Vargas PA, Jones SM, Christie L, Noone S, Carlisle S, Groetch M, Sicherer S. Keaveny M, Vargas PA, Jones SM, Christie L, Noone S, Carlisle S, Groetch M, Sicherer S. Lack of Food Allergy Educational Materials Contributes to Parents’ Reported Stress and Anxiety in Managing their Children’s Food Allergies. 52nd Annual Meeting of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science (Mar 2008).
  • Robles-Sotelo, Elias, Vargas, Perla, Perry, Tamara, Feild, Charles. Smoking Cessation Treatment to Reduce Children’s Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke. 6th Annual Conference of the International Society for the Prevention of Tobacco Induced Diseases (Nov 2007).
  • Vargas, Perla, Robles-Sotelo, Elias, Jo, Chan-Hee, Simpson, Pippa, Carroll, Polly, Magee, James, Hakkak, Reza, Feild, Charles, Jones, Stacie. The Relationship Between Asthma and Obesity in Minority. International Conference of the American Thoracic Society (May 2007).
  • Vargas, Perla, Robles-Sotelo, Elias, Perry, Tamara, Feild, Charles, Hakkak, Reza, Carroll, Polly, McGee, James, Jones, Stacey. Relationship between Body Mass Index and Asthma Indicators among Minority Pre-School Aged Children. Pediatric Academic Societies' Annual Meeting (May 2007).
  • Robles-Sotelo, Elias, Vargas, Perla. Parameters of Delay Discounting Assessment: Number of Trial. Annual Meeting of the Society for the Quantitative Analysis of Behavior (May 2007).
  • Robles-Sotelo, Elias, Vargas, Perla. Parameters of Delay Discounting Assessment: Effort and Number of Trials. Seventh annual national scientific conference of the National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse
Service: 
  • Journal of Health Psychology, Ad Hoc reviewer (2014 - Present)
  • Journal of of School Nursing, Ad Hoc reviewer (2014 - Present)
  • NCIAS - NCUIRE application review committee, Reviewer (2013 - Present)
  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Ad Hoc reviewer (2013 - Present)
  • NCIAS - Scholarship, Research, Creative Activities (SRCA) Grant, Reviewer (2013 - Present)
  • SIRC Research Conference Committee, Chair (2012 - Present)
  • Food Allergy Community Education Consortium, Invited participant (2010 - Present)
  • Admissions committee for the Master’s program in Social Justice and Human Rights., Member (2009 - Present)
  • Admissions committee for the Master’s program in Social Justice and Human Rights., Member (2009 - Present)
  • SIRC - Journal Club on Health Disparities, Director (2009 - Present)
  • SIRC - Selection Committee Health Disparities Internship, Member (2009 - Present)
  • SIRC - Selection Committee Health Disparities Post-doctoral Fellowship, Member (2009 - Present)
  • Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center Health Disparities Pilot Program, Grant Reviewer (2008 - Present)
  • Arizona Department of Education, Advisor (2008 - Present)
  • Arizona Department of Education, Presenter (2007 - Present)
  • Search Committee for a Director for the new Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Member (2007 - Present)
  • Arizona Asthma Coalition, Member of the School Committe, Co-chair of the Policy Committee and Member of the Executive Committee (2007 - Present)
  • Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ad Hoc reviewer (2007 - Present)
  • Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ad Hoc reviewer (2007 - Present)
  • Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ad Hoc reviewer (2007 - Present)
  • Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ad Hoc reviewer (2007 - Present)
  • ASU faculty senate, senator (2013 - 2013)
  • Faculty Senate, SSBS representative (2013 - 2013)
  • NCIAS Teaching Evaluation Committee, member (2013 - 2013)
  • Search Committee, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, member (2013 - 2013)
  • NCUIRE application review committee at the West Campus, Member (2012 - 2012)
  • SIRC - Selection Committee Health Disparities Post doctoral fellowship, Chair (2012 - 2012)
  • Arizona Asthma Coalition, Vice-chair (2009 - 2009)
  • Psychology Department, Member (2007 - 2007)
Expertise Areas: 
Health Psychology
Environmental Social Science