Stephanie Marhefka, PhD, has been appointed interim associate dean for research in the University of South Florida (USF) College of Behavioral and Community Sciences (CBCS), beginning Monday, Aug. 25.
A professor in the Department of Behavioral Health Science and Practice, Marhefka began her USF career in 2007 as an assistant professor in the College of Public Health, where she was later tenured and promoted. There, she served as assistant dean for research from 2019 to 2021. Marhefka then joined the USF College of Nursing, where she served as senior associate dean of research from 2021 to 2023. During that time, she also began a joint appointment in the USF Morsani College of Medicine鈥檚 Department of Internal Medicine, which she retains.
As interim associate dean for research in CBCS, Marhefka will lead and oversee the college鈥檚 research mission, supporting faculty in securing funding, developing proposals, and managing research awards.
鈥淭hroughout my career at USF, I have been fortunate to collaborate with outstanding colleagues who are deeply committed to research that improves people鈥檚 lives,鈥� Marhefka said. 鈥淚 am grateful for the opportunity to once again serve as a USF leader and advocate during a pivotal time for the community, social, and behavioral sciences. I look forward to working alongside our exceptional CBCS faculty, staff, and students to expand the innovation, reach, and impact of our work. While this is a challenging time to vie for research funding, I fully expect that together, we will find new pathways to greatness.鈥�
Marhefka studied clinical and health psychology, earning a doctorate in 2002 and a Master of Science in 1999, both from the University of Florida, after completing a Bachelor of Philosophy in interdisciplinary studies from Miami University in 1997. She conducted postdoctoral work in pediatric immunology at the University of Maryland Medical School and studied HIV and sexual health interventions at the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute prior to joining USF.
A social and behavioral scientist, interventionist, and implementation scientist, Marhefka鈥檚 work has largely focused on HIV prevention and improving care and treatment among people with HIV. This includes medication adherence, HIV disclosure and stigma, risk reduction, and smoking cessation among people with HIV. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, she pioneered group-based videoconferencing as a means of expanding access to social and behavioral care for people with HIV. Now she continues to study the benefits and costs, facilitators, and barriers associated with telehealth implementation and mobile health applications. With her training in pediatric psychology, she has also contributed to research related to breastfeeding experiences and breastfeeding friendly childcare. All of this work is shaped by an understanding of how mental health impacts quality of life and health behavior.
Marhefka is a recipient of the USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Research Award, is a fellow of the I-CORPS program at USF, and is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Public Health Association. She is also a member of the standing NIH study section 鈥淗IBI鈥� (HIV/AIDS Intra- and Inter-personal determinants and Behavioral Interventions).
鈥淒r. Marhefka has a deep commitment to advancing research,鈥� said Julie Serovich, PhD, dean of CBCS. 鈥淲ith her history of fostering collaboration across disciplines and securing competitive funding, she will be a catalyst in strengthening our research infrastructure, cultivating partnerships, and ensuring CBCS remains at the forefront of addressing pressing social and behavioral health challenges.鈥�
Marhefka鈥檚 appointment comes at the conclusion of twelve years of service by Howard Goldstein, PhD, in the role, during which the college has expanded its contract and grant portfolio, reaching a record $36 million in annual awards over the past year. In 2023, Goldstein oversaw the creation of the CBCS Research Data Center, which provides consultation and support during the development of research proposals.
"I want to thank Dr. Goldstein for his leadership and the pivotal role he has played in making CBCS the research force it is today,鈥� said Serovich. 鈥淲e are fortunate to continue drawing on the expertise of the CBCS Research Council and our unit research administrators, and we look forward to Dr. Goldstein鈥檚 continued contributions as a valued faculty member."