Center for Biobehavioral Research

Home Fields of Research Behavioral Science Center for Biobehavioral Research
Print

Center for Biobehavioral Research

At the Center for Biobehavioral Research, we work to study complex behaviors and biological factors in laboratory and natural settings. Learn more about the Center’s three research divisions and its areas of interest.


Division of Behavioral Research

The Behavioral Division is devoted to studying behavior and behavioral processes in clinical samples. Our primary research focuses are eating disorders and bariatric surgery patients, but we collaborate with colleagues on a national and international level to examine other topics of interest as well. Researchers gather data in both laboratory and natural settings and are especially interested in cognitive, affective and behavioral variables that relate to a variety of clinical phenomena.

Current major areas of focus include:

  • A study of a treatment model of binge eating disorder
  • Changes in reinforcement and driving impairment associated with alcohol intake before and after bariatric surgery
  • Momentary states and behaviors and the prediction of depression and weight regain after bariatric surgery
  • Self-regulation and eating disorder behavior
  • Loss of control eating in adolescents
  • Study of the habits associated with the maintenance of anorexia nervosa

Division of Biomedical Research

The Division of Biomedical Research pursues an understanding of how biological factors contribute to disease and look for possible pharmacological treatment strategies. Researchers are currently examining areas of research including eating disorders, obesity, and bariatric surgery. We conduct clinical studies involving healthy human volunteers, human volunteers with various disease states or conditions, and human volunteers who will undergo or have undergone bariatric surgery. We also perform scientific experiments in a traditional laboratory settings.

Current major areas of focus include:

  • The role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of disease and as a modulator of weight
  • The effects of bariatric surgery on pharmacokinetics (e.g., drug absorption and metabolism)
  • The effects of bariatric surgery on alcohol use
  • Weight regain following bariatric surgery
  • Mechanisms responsible for drug-associated weight change
  • Pharmacological treatment approaches for weight gain

Division of Biomedical Statistics

The Division of Biomedical Statistics provides support to the Center for Biobehavioral Research and its collaborators in five major areas. They are:

  • Grant writing support: Assisting with research design; generating power analysis and sample size; developing statistical analysis plans; and conducting data management and storage.
  • Research support: Development of data collection systems; research training; preparing and updating manuals of operation; data tracking and monitoring; data management, verification and cleaning; data report generation; data exploring; syntax creation and setup; and data analysis and interpretation.
  • Presentation/publication support: Support for abstract writing, presentations, papers, graphs and tables. 
  • Consulting services: Serves as grant consultants, assisting with research design; and completing associated statistical analyses. 
  • Teaching and mentoring: Provides assistance with research courses, training grants, T32 postdoctoral students, workshops and seminars.

(701) 293-1335

Email Us

Fields of Research Menu

Resources

Learn About the T32 Program

The NIMH-funded Midwest Regional Postdoctoral Training Grant in Eating Disorders Research (MH082761) provides multidisciplinary research training to doctoral degree graduates planning academic research careers in the field of eating disorders. It is located at the University of Chicago, the University of Minnesota and the Center for Biobehavioral Research/University of North Dakota. Much of the training is conducted through teleconferencing software.

In collaboration with their mentors, fellows will create an individualized training plan designed to further develop their understanding and knowledge of the eating disorders literature, enhance their skills in manuscript and grant writing, and establish themselves as researchers in the eating disorders field. The program is organized around a series of individual experiences for each fellow (consisting of their interactions with their mentoring team, their research projects, and opportunities for individual coursework at their institution). In addition, there are cross-site experiences, including weekly didactic seminars and journal club/research seminars.

Learn More About the T32 Program

Real Time Assessment In The Natural Environment

ReTAINE is a tool aimed at research-focused entities. It is a secure system for collecting data from research participants through a web-based system. It enables researchers and clinicians to collect real-time data from participants in their natural environment through a safe and easy-to-use electronic system.

Learn More About ReTAINE

Treatment Collaborative for Traumatized Youth

OUR MISSION

To enhance the availability of evidence-based mental health treatments for traumatized individuals in North Dakota through implementing results-driven therapy and building a multidisciplinary collaborative network across the region.

 

WHAT WE USE

TCTY utilizes a Learning Collaborative approach to disseminate evidence-based mental health services for traumatized youth and their families. Research supports the use of a Learning Collaborative model to circulate treatments. Additionally, our training team believes that this model is the most effective means to promote successful implementation, adoption, and spread of evidenced-based practices.

Learn More About TCTY

Our Team

Meet the Team

Stephen A. Wonderlich, PhD
Vice President Research, Sanford Health
Co-Director, Center for Biobehavioral Research
Scientist

Ross D. Crosby, PhD
Co-Director, Center for Biobehavioral Research
Director of Biomedical Statistics
Scientist

Scott Engel, PhD
Co-Director, Center for Biobehavioral Research
Associate Scientist

Lauren M. Schaefer, PhD
Assistant Scientist

Gail Williams-Kerver, PhD
Assistant Scientist

James E. Mitchell, MD
Scientist

Kristine Steffen, PharmD, PhD
Director of Biomedical Research, Center for Biobehavioral Research
Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University

Jason M. Lavendar, PhD
Adjunct Faculty, Center for Biobehavioral Research
Deputy Director of Research, MiCOR
Associate Professor, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

James L. Roerig, PharmD, BCPP
Adjunct Faculty, Center for Biobehavioral Research
Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Kathyrn Gordon, PhD
Assistant Scientist
Psychologist, Sanford Health

Leah A. Irish, PhD
Adjunct Faculty, Center for Biobehavioral Research
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University

Jeff Johnson, PhD
Adjunct Faculty, Center for Biobehavioral Research
Associate Professor, North Dakota State University

Benjamin Balas, PhD
Adjunct Faculty, Center for Biobehavioral Research
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University

Nicola Herting, PhD
Adjunct Faculty, Center for Biobehavioral Research
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Mental Health Director, Red River Children's Advocacy Center

Paul D. Rokke, PhD
Adjunct Faculty, Center for Biobehavioral Research
Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University

Emily Sargent, PhD
Clinical Investigator, Center for Biobehavioral Research, Sanford Research 
Post-Doctoral Psychology Resident, Sanford Health

Frequently Asked Questions

What is clinical research?

Clinical research involves scientific studies that are conducted with human participants. Often times it includes patient oriented research which promotes a better understanding of human disease, new treatments, and scientific tests of such treatments. Clinical research may also attempt to clarify how particular diseases or disorders develop in the population.

Why is conducting research studies important?

Research helps us to better understand how people, and the world in which they live, function and operate. As scientific research helps us to gain a better understanding of our world, we are also able to create solutions which are most likely to be helpful. When we are talking about medically oriented research, we are often talking about the origins of various diseases and disorders and the development of new strategies and treatments to help patients who are afflicted.

What happens when I sign up for a study?

If you sign-up for a study, the research staff from the study will call you to complete a phone screen to see if you qualify. The phone screen is usually pretty short and will take five to 10 minutes. Typically, the next step will have you come in to our facility for further assessment. Each study protocol is different so the next step could include a physical, blood draw, and drug screen or completing interviews with our assessors and filling out surveys. Staff will assist you every step of the way through the study to ensure your safety and answer any questions you may have along the way.

Do I have to get stuck with a needle?

There are a few studies that need to draw blood throughout the study. If this is not something you care to do, please make sure to choose another study that suits your comfortability levels.

Can I be on medication and still be in a research study?

Some of the research studies are not affected by your current medication status. Each study will have inclusion and exclusion criteria. We will let you know if any medications interfere with participation.

Will I get paid?

Compensation for studies can be dispersed by check through mail or gift cards, depending on the study protocol.

Are there overnight studies?

CBR does not have studies that are conducted over night. CBR works closely with each participant to find a date and time that works best in his or her schedule to complete a study day. Some studies run for just a couple hours while others can go up to 8 hours. Other studies are completed in one day while some run a few days consecutively or with a span of time in between.

How can I sign up to participate?

If you would like to sign up or to learn about ongoing studies, call us at (701) 293-1335 or email us. We look forward to hearing from you.

Required Information

Annual Reports

Sanford Health News

View All News

Classes & Events

  • PROMISE Summer Camps

    Wed 12/03/25 2:00 PM - Wed 12/03/25 4:00 PM
    Sanford PROMISE Community Lab

  • PROMISE Summer Camps

    Sat 12/06/25 2:00 PM - Sat 12/06/25 4:00 PM
    Sanford PROMISE Community Lab

Classes and Events