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Perla Vargas

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Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center (SIRC)
Assoc Professor
Faculty, DTPHX Campus, Mailcode 4320
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Associate Professor
Faculty, WEST Campus, Mailcode 3051
Social & Behavioral Sciences
Assoc Professor
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.  Dr. Vargas received her Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Arizona in 1995 and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins University in 1998.  She earned an M.S. in psychology from U of A in 1989 and a B.A. in the subject from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Mexico City) in 1983.  Before joining the ASU New College faculty in 2007, Dr. Vargas worked in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where she was part of a team studying allergic diseases in children.

Dr. Vargas is the co-director of the Research Education and Training Core on Health Disparities at the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center.

Among her research and scholarly interest are health-related decision-making, health disparities, development of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) programs, and the implementation of evidence-based interventions in community settings.  Additionally, Dr. Vargas is interested in investigating behavioral processes involved in the management of children's oral health, asthma, food allergy and obesity, and in developing effective methods to improve management of these conditions among high-risk, underserved children in community settings.  She has established research opportunities for students, who can register for 1-6 credits of supervised research or independent study.

Dr. Vargas, who is an advisor to the Arizona Department of Education 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; 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, National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse, and the Society for the Quantitative Analysis of Behavior.

At ASU's West campus, Dr. Vargas teaches research methods in psychology, environmental psychology, and health psychology and also directs supervised and action research and individualized instruction.

CV
Binary Data Curriculum Vitae
Publications
  • Robles E, Emery NN, Vargas PA, Moreno A, Marshall B, Grove R, & Zhang H. Patterns of responding on a balloon analogue task reveal individual differences in overall risk-taking: Choice between guaranteed and uncertain cash. Journal of General Psychology (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 (2014).
  • Vargas PA, Morton T*, Flores M*, Robles E. Sleeping Patterns and Psychological Risk Factors among College Students. 2014 Pediatric Academic Societies' Annual Meeting (2014).
  • Lara G, Altholz RL, Flores MS, Jackson S, Vargas PA. The Effect of Allergic Disease on Over-the-Counter Medication Use among College Students. Pediatric Academic Societies' Annual Meeting, Washington, D,C., May, 2013 (2013).
  • Kloepfer KM§ , Helm, ME, Perry, TT, Jones, SM, Vargas, PA. Preferred Drug Utilization: Treating Allergic Rhinitis with Less Sedating Antihistamines. American J Pharm Benefits (2012).
  • Sicherer S, Vargas PA, Groetch ME, Christie L, Carlisle SK, Noone S, Jones SM. Development and validation of educational materials for food allergy. J of Pediatrics (2012).
  • Derek Lafarga, BS, Natalia N Perez, Elias Robles, PhD and Perla A Vargas, PhD. Facebook: Friend or Foe of Teenage Depression. Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (2012).
  • Derek Lafarga, BS, Natalia N Perez, Elias Robles, PhD and Perla A Vargas, PhD. Facebook: Friend or Foe of Teenage Depression. Society for Pediatric Research (2012).
  • Robles, E and Vargas PA. Translating Basic Behavioral Research: a success and a promise. (2012).
  • Vargas P, Sicherer S, Christie L, Keaveny M, Noone S, Watkins D, Carlisle SK, Jones SM. Developing A Food Allergy Curriculum for Parents. Developing A Food Allergy Curriculum for Parents. Pediatr Allergy Immunol (2011).
  • Vargas PA, Robles E, Harris J, Radford P. An Interactive Asthma Screening Tool for Low Literacy Populations: A Pilot Study. Pediatr Res, 2010 (67) (2011).
  • Vargas PA, Robles E, Radford P, Harris J. A computerized asthma screening program for patients with limited health literacy: a pilot study. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med (2010).
  • Pesek R, Vargas PA, Jones SM, Scurlock AM, McCracken A, Perry TT. Asthma Prevalence and Morbidity Among Urban and Rural School Children in Arkansas. J Allergy Clin Immunol (2009).
  • Perry, T. T., Vargas, P A, McCracken, A., & Jones, S. M. Underdiagnosed and uncontrolled asthma: findings in rural schoolchildren from the Delta region of Arkansas. Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (2008).
  • Perry, TT, Vargas, P A, Bufford, J, Feild, C, Flick, M., Simpson, P. M. et al. Classroom Aeroallergen Exposure in Arkansas Head Start Centers. Ann Allergy Asthma Immuno (2008).
  • Robles-Sotelo E, Vargas PA. Parameters of Delay Discounting Assessment: Number of Trials, Effort, and Sequential Effects. Behavioural Processes (2008).
  • Carlisle, S., Vargas, PA., Noone, S., Steele, P., Sicherer, S. H., Burks, A. W. et al. Food Allergy Education for School Nurses: A Needs Assessment Survey. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, (2008).
  • Groetch, M., Christie, L., Vargas, PA, Mofidi, S., Jones, S., & Sicherer, S. H. Food Allergy Education for Pediatric Dietitians: A Needs Assessment Survey. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2008).
  • Vargas, PA, Jones, S., Christie, L., Noone, S., Watkins, D., Carlisle, S. et al. Food Allergy Education for Parents: Focus Groups. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 121, S252. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2008).
  • Elias Robles-Sotelo, Perla Vargas. Functional parameters of delay discounting assessment tasks: Order of presentation. Behavioural Processes (2007).
  • Perla Vargas, Barry Benner, Edward Boudraux, Sunday Clark, Carlos Camargo. Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke among Children Presenting to the Emergency Department with Acute Asthma: A Multicenter Study. Pediatric Pulmonology (2007).
  • Perla Vargas, Elias Robles-Sotelo, Tamara Perry, Pippa M. Simpson, James Magee, Charles Feild, Reza Hakkak, Polly Carroll, Stacie Jones. Relationship of body mass index with asthma indicators in Head Start children. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (2007).
  • Perla Vargas, Elias Robles-Sotelo, Tamara Perry, Pippa M. Simpson, James Magee, Charles Feild, Reza Hakkak, Polly Carroll, Stacie Jones. Relationship of body mass index with asthma indicators in Head Start children. AnnalsOF Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (2007).
  • Vargas, Perla (Author) ,Robles-Sotelo, Elias (Author) . La lucha por obtener atención médica [The struggle to get medical treatment]. Calidad de vida y asma infantil [Quality of life and pediatric asthma] (2007).
Research Activity
  • 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).
Summer 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
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
Summer 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 595Continuing Registration
Spring 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 306Environmental Psychology
PSY 399Supervised Research
PSY 462Health Psychology
PSY 494Special Topics
PSY 499Individualized Instruction
PSY 592Research
PSY 593Applied Project
PSY 599Thesis
Fall 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 399Supervised Research
PSY 462Health Psychology
PSY 499Individualized Instruction
PSY 592Research
PSY 593Applied Project
PSY 598Special Topics
PSY 599Thesis
Spring 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 306Environmental Psychology
PSY 399Supervised Research
PSY 462Health Psychology
PSY 494Special Topics
PSY 499Individualized Instruction
PSY 590Reading and Conference
PSY 599Thesis
Fall 2014
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 399Supervised Research
PSY 462Health Psychology
PSY 492Honors Directed Study
PSY 493Honors Thesis
PSY 499Individualized Instruction
PSY 592Research
PSY 595Continuing Registration
PSY 598Special Topics
PSY 599Thesis
Spring 2014
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 595Continuing Registration
PSY 599Thesis
Fall 2013
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 306Environmental Psychology
PSY 399Supervised Research
PSY 462Health Psychology
PSY 595Continuing Registration
PSY 599Thesis
Summer 2013
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 595Continuing Registration
PSY 599Thesis
Spring 2013
Course NumberCourse Title
PGS 306Environmental Psychology
PGS 399Supervised Research
PGS 462Health Psychology
PSY 499Individualized Instruction
PSY 592Research
PSY 595Continuing Registration
PSY 599Thesis
Fall 2012
Course NumberCourse Title
PGS 306Environmental Psychology
PGS 462Health Psychology
PGS 492Honors Directed Study
PSY 592Research
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