Staff: Elise Rice, Ph.D., M.A.

Elise Rice

Elise Rice, Ph.D., M.A.

Former Fellow, Transitioned Outside of the Program

Cancer Research Training Award Fellow
Former Organization:

Elise Rice, Ph.D., M.A., was a Cancer Research Training Award Fellow in the Health Behaviors Research Branch (HBRB) within the Behavioral Research Program (BRP) from April 2016 to September 2018.

Dr. Rice earned a Ph.D. and a master's degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Arkansas.

As a social psychologist, Dr. Rice is primarily interested in understanding how affective and cognitive processes contribute to behavior change. One aspect of her research explores how positive emotions and automatic processes underlie motivation. Findings from that work have implications for promoting sustainable behavior change that does not rely on effortful self-control.

During her fellowship, Dr. Rice worked to advance the science of cancer prevention and control more broadly by improving the use of health-behavior theories, encouraging best practices in highly collaborative research efforts, and facilitating the use of high-quality measures and methods.


"Where are they now?": Following up with past BRP fellows
"Where are they now?": Following up with past BRP fellows
Updated September 2019

Current Title
Program Officer
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

How has your BRP fellowship influenced your career?
It is no exaggeration to say that my fellowship in BRP fundamentally shaped the course of my career. I came to NCI looking to work with and learn from dedicated people with varied perspectives, experiences, and expertise, as I sought to steer my research in basic social psychology and affective science into the realm of cancer control. Beyond the community I was looking for, my time in BRP also provided exposure to the workings of extramural funding at NIH that sparked my interest in becoming a Program Officer, as well as the concrete experience that enabled me to transition into this role.

Describe your current position, your current organization, and what you do.
I am a Program Officer in the Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Branch at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. The scope of my portfolio encompasses virtually any social or behavioral processes related to dental, oral, or craniofacial health, including some behaviors that are also BRP priorities: tobacco use, HPV vaccination, diet, etc.

Awards, Honors, and Recognitions

  • Group NIH Director's Award, INCLUDE Project Leadership Team, 2019

Publications from Fellowship Work



Current and/or past BRP mentors include Kara Hall and Richard Moser.

To request edits to this profile, please contact us at ncidccpsbrpadvances@mail.nih.gov.