Lydia Temoshok, Ph.D.

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Pioneering the Frontiers of Behavioral Medicine and Psychoneuroimmunology

Dr. Lydia Temoshok is a distinguished figure in the fields of psychology, behavioral medicine, neuroscience, and psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). With a career dedicated to investigating the intricate interplay of biobehavioral and biopsychosocial factors in HIV/AIDS and cancer progression, she has made significant contributions that have shaped the way we understand these complex diseases.

Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Temoshok has authored and edited 12 books and monographs, including the influential work “The Type C Connection: The Behavioral Links to Cancer and Your Health” published by Random House. Her prolific publication record also includes over 190 articles that have advanced the knowledge in her areas of expertise.

Dr. Temoshok’s impact extends beyond academia, as she has held key federal appointments that underscore her expertise and influence in the field. Her roles on the NIH College of Scientific Reviewers and the CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV and STD Prevention and Treatment further highlight her leadership and commitment to driving progress in healthcare.

A trailblazer in her field, Dr. Temoshok’s academic journey began at Yale College, where she matriculated in the inaugural year of coeducation. She went on to achieve academic excellence, graduating summa cum laude and obtaining her MA and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Social Psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Dr. Temoshok’s research career has been marked by pioneering initiatives, including her foundational work on the behavioral aspects of AIDS at the University of California, San Francisco. Her subsequent leadership in developing HIV prevention programs within the US Military's HIV Research Program and collaborations with international organizations like the World Health Organization and the United Nations have had a global impact on HIV/AIDS research and policy.

Joining the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore as Professor of Medicine, Dr. Temoshok developed and directed a Behavioral Medicine Program integrated with the Institute’s HIV primary care clinics, which serve a predominantly African-American and disadvantaged population. As Principal Investigator, her research included an NIH-funded longitudinal study of biopsychosocial mediators of HIV progression, in addition to studies of adherence to HIV regimens and medical outcomes, and prevention of HIV transmission risk behaviors among HIV-infected individuals. 

As Dr. Temoshok’s impactful career evolves, her work remains instrumental in shaping the future of behavioral medicine, psychoneuroimmunology, and the understanding of complex diseases like HIV/AIDS and cancer. Her unwavering dedication to research, education, and clinical practice continues to inspire and drive progress in the field of healthcare, revolutionizing health and healing.

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