Peter R. Giacobbi, PhD

Professor

A smiling man with glasses with fitness equipment in the background. He is wearing a light-colored shirt and dark tie.

304-293-5970 peter.giacobbi@mail.wvu.edu AHB 208 Office Hours: Tuesday: 11:30 to 12:30, Wednesday 12:00 to 1:00, Thursday 1:00 to 3:00 Download CV

Research Links

Professional Highlights

Research focus on chronic disease risk reduction using digital and other delivery technologies
Current Google Scholar H-index of 36, Scopus H-index of 26
Fellow, Society of Behavioral Medicine

Degrees

Ph.D., Education with Emphasis in Sport Psychology, University of Tennessee
M.S., Sport Behavior and Performance, Miami University
B.A., Psychology, State University of New York

Areas of Expertise

Health behavior change.
Chronic disease prevention.
Public health evaluation.
Guided imagery in sport and exercise settings, overall well-being and managing health behavior

Research Interests

Delivery of guided imagery interventions on smart phones and social media
Guided imagery in sport and for health behavior change
Testing interventions that simultaneously address multiple health behaviors

Committees and Memberships

Member, American Public Health Association (APHA), 2016-Present
Member, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2006-Present

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Peter Giacobbi's research focuses on testing theory-based interventions to prevent chronic disease through inter-disciplinary team science and the creative application of new and existing technologies. His expertise is in the use of guided imagery as a mind-body technique to assist with health behavior change. Guided imagery is the controlled visualization of goals and aspirations and is important in the regulation of human behavior, learning new skills and performance enhancement. His research publications reflect ongoing efforts to creatively deliver this behavior change technique using in-person, telephone, social media and mobile health (mHealth) applications.