Eva Marie Bartsch, MA

Eva Marie Bartsch

Undergraduate School
Manhattan University

Graduate School
Arizona State University

 

 

Interests & Career Goals

As an aspiring clinical health psychologist, I am primarily interested in the treatment of mental health concerns in the context of chronic illness and complex medical conditions. Throughout my clinical training, I have delivered evidence-based interventions and assessments to patients with diverse medical and psychiatric diagnoses across a variety of settings, including veteran health care, community mental health, and private practice. These experiences have deepened my passion for health psychology and affirmed my commitment to addressing the psychological needs of patients coping with medical adversity.  

In my work with patients, I strive not only to alleviate distress, but also to help patients draw upon their inherent strengths to build a life that feels meaningful—despite, or even because of, their medical challenges. Integrating research into my clinical work is central to my practice, as is my commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and bridging gaps across systems of care to better support my patients. Looking ahead, I hope to work in a medical center as a clinical health psychologist, where I hope to provide integrated and evidence-based services. I further hope to provide supervision and mentorship to the next generation of clinical psychologists and remain engaged in applied clinical research.

Favorite Pastimes

In my free time, I love spending time outdoors – whether I'm rock climbing, hiking, rollerblading, or joining a yoga class. I also enjoy exploring local coffee shops and bakeries, or relaxing with a book at a nearby park or library.

Why I Chose Duke

I chose Duke because of its exceptional training and focus on integrated, evidence-based care at the intersection of mental and physical health—an area that aligns closely with my clinical and research interests and goals. I was especially drawn to the opportunity for intensive training through year-long elective rotations, which provide both breadth and depth across specialty areas. The chance to work with diverse medical populations and well-renowned supervisors through programs like the Transplant/Medical Psychology program, the General Medicine Inpatient clinic, and the Pain Psychology program stood out to me as unparalleled in preparing for a future career in health psychology. Duke Medical Center further offers unique opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, such as the Neurosurgery Collaborative Project, which I am excited to participate in as I deepen my understanding of integrative care and peer support within medical centers. Finally, Duke’s commitment to health equity and cutting-edge evidence-based care reflects the values I hold as both a clinician and a researcher. I knew that Duke was the ideal place for me to meaningfully contribute and grow as an aspiring health psychologist. I am so thrilled to have matched at Duke!

Research Interests

My research is broadly focused on the intersection of physical and mental health. My graduate work on the Arizona Twin Project, a NIH-funded longitudinal study of twins, has highlighted the interacting roles of genetics, epigenetics, the environment, and individual differences. My research focuses on how health behaviors (such as exercise, diet, and sleep) interact to predict chronic pain, weight-related health, and internalizing symptoms, and how engagement in certain health behaviors may serve as a buffer for those at heightened genetic risk for poor mental and physical health outcomes. Part of my research is grounded in child clinical health because I am interested in how the roots of early experiences drive long-term health.

By studying twins longitudinally, I have been able to capitalize on advanced genetically-informed statistical methods to understand the etiology of health behaviors and associated health outcomes. Thus far, my research has revealed that health behaviors are important contributors to mental and physical health outcomes, and I have challenged the misconception that genes are destiny. I have further collaborated on independent publications focusing on self-compassion and chronic pain in adults, the implications of neighborhood-level opportunities for physical health, and concurrent growth in psychopathology and weight-related health during critical developmental periods.

I also continue to consider how we can harness empirical information to inform clinical interventions that promote long-term, adaptive health outcomes via clinical practice. Conducting research on the intersection of mental and physical health while also working with patients who face medical challenges has reinforced my belief that research and interventions need to be as dynamic as the factors that shape health.

Publications

  • Bartsch, E. M., Clifford, S., Davis, M., Doane, L., & Lemery-Chalfant, K. (2025). A Highly Heritable Common Latent Factor Explains Body Mass Index, Percent Body Fat, and Waist Circumference Across Childhood: Implications for Assessment of Obesity. In Print at International Journal of Obesity.  
     
  • Bartsch, E. M., Clifford, S., Rea-Sandin, G., Davis, M., Doane, L., & Lemery-Chalfant, K. (2024). Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Physical Activity and Dietary Intake in the Context of Adiposity: Insights from a Community Sample of Twin Children. Behavior Genetics Association 54th Annual Meeting Abstracts. Behavior Genetics, 54, 1-118. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-024-10197-8
     
  • Bartsch, E. M., Clifford, S., Davis, M., Doane, L., & Lemery-Chalfant, K. (2023). Indicators of Adiposity in Twin Children: A Highly Heritable Common Latent Factor Explains Body Mass Index, Percent Body Fat, and Waist Circumference. Behavior Genetics Association 53rd Annual Meeting Abstracts. Behavior Genetics, 53, 424–514. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-023-10156-9
     
  • Mistretta, E. G., Davis, M. C., Bartsch, E. M., & Olah, M. S. (2023). Self-compassion and pain disability in adults with chronic pain: The mediating role of future self-identification and self-efficacy. Journal of Health Psychology, 13591053231167275. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053231167275
     
  • Bartsch, E. M., Clifford, S., Davis, M., Doane, L., & Lemery-Chalfant, K. (2022). Objectively Assessed Physical Activity and Chronic Pain in Twin Children: Genetic and Environmental Underpinnings. Behavior Genetics Association 52nd Annual Meeting Abstracts. Behavior Genetics, 52(6), 343-405. doi: 10.1007/s10519-022-10119-6
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. (2019). Mind Your Stress: Implications of Student Stress Mindset on Stress Perception, Academic Performance and Mental Well-being. Manhattan College Internal Database.
     
  • Gutierrez, V., Bartsch, E. M., Bui, C., Lecarie, E., Davis, M., Doane, L., Lemery-Chalfant, K. Associations Between Neighborhood-level Child Opportunities and Health Outcomes in Middle Childhood. Under Review at Journal of Pediatric Psychology.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. & Jayawickreme, N.. Mind Your Stress: Stress Mindset Explains Lower Perceived Stress and Higher Well-Being in Students who Engage in Extracurricular Activities. Under Review at Anxiety, Stress and Coping.

Manuscripts in Preparation

  • Bartsch, E. M., Clifford, S., Rea-Sandin, G., Davis, M., Doane, L., Lemery-Chalfant, K. Moderated Heritability of Adiposity Change by Physical Activity and Dietary Intake: Evidence from a Community Sample of Twin Youth.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M., Clifford, S., Ostner, S., Davis, M., Doane, L., Lemery-Chalfant, K. Beyond Nature and Nurture: Epigenetic BMI as a Predictor of Adiposity and Psychosomatic Health in Twin Youth.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. & Davis, M. Physical Activity as a Protective Factor for Pain Intensity, Disability, and Comorbid Internalizing Symptoms in Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Literature Review.
     
  • Sowards, H., Bartsch, E. M., Rea-Sandin, G., Lemery-Chalfant, K., & Davis, M. Dynamic Characteristics of Parent-Child Interactions: Mediating Role in Relation Between Child Executive Functions and Acute Pain.
     
  • Miadich, S., Bartsch, E. M., Doane, L. S., Davis, M. C., & Lemery-Chalfant, K. Children’s Weight-Related Health and Lung Function: A Community-Based Longitudinal Twin Study.
     
  • Lemery-Chalfant, K., Sasser, J., Bartsch, E. M., Lecarie, E., Clifford, S., Davis, M. Growth in Developmental Psychopathology Across the Transition to Adolescence: Associations with Body Mass Index, Puberty, Sex, and Genetics.

Conference Presentations

  • Bartsch, E. M., Clifford, S., Rea-Sandin, G., Davis, M., Doane, L., Lemery-Chalfant, K. (March, 2025). Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Physical Activity, Dietary Intake, and Adiposity: Insights from the Arizona Twin Project. Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M., Clifford, S., Rea-Sandin, G., Davis, M., Doane, L., & Lemery-Chalfant, K. (June, 2024). Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Physical Activity and Dietary Intake in the Context of Adiposity: Insights from a Community Sample of Twin Children. Behavior Genetics Association (BGA) Annual Conference, London, United Kingdom.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M., Gutierrez, V., Ostner, S., Davis, M., Doane, L., Lemery-Chalfant, K. (April, 2024). Internalizing Symptoms during Adolescence: Sex Differences in the Interactive Relations of Body Mass Index and Interpersonal Stress. Society for Research on Adolescence (SRA) Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M., Clifford, S., Davis, M., Doane, L., & Lemery-Chalfant, K. (March, 2024). Indicators of Adiposity in Twin Children: A Highly Heritable Common Latent Factor Explains Body Mass Index, Percent Body Fat, and Waist Circumference. Institute for Behavior Genetics Workshop Poster Session, Boulder, CO.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M., Clifford, S., Davis, M., Doane, L., & Lemery-Chalfant, K. (November, 2023). Indicators of Adiposity in Twin Children: A Highly Heritable Common Latent Factor Explains Body Mass Index, Percent Body Fat, and Waist Circumference. Institute for Social Science Research, Tempe, AZ.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M., Clifford, S., Davis, M., Doane, L., & Lemery-Chalfant, K. (June, 2023). Indicators of Adiposity in Twin Children: A Highly Heritable Common Latent Factor Explains Body Mass Index, Percent Body Fat, and Waist Circumference. Behavior Genetics Association (BGA) Annual Conference, Murcia, Spain.
     
  • Mistretta, E., Bartsch, E. M., Olah, M. & Davis, M. (April, 2023). Self-Compassion and Pain Disability in Adults with Chronic Pain: The Mediating Role of Future Self-Identification and Self-Efficacy. Society for Behavioral Medicine (SBM) Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ.
     
  • Gutierrez, V., Doane, L., Lecarie, E., Park, H., Bartsch, E. M., Davis, M., & Lemery-Chalfant, K. (March, 2023). Neighborhood-level Opportunities and Health Outcomes in Middle Childhood: Do Parenting and Familism Values Buffer Effects? Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, UT.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M., Clifford, S., Davis, M., Doane, L., Lemery-Chalfant, K. (June, 2022). Physical Activity and Chronic Pain in Twin Children: Genetic and Environmental Contributions. Behavior Genetics Association (BGA) Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA.
     
  • Olah, M., Bartsch, E. M., Lemery-Chalfant, K., & Davis, M. (April, 2021). Facial Expressions of Pain in Children: An Exploratory Factor Analysis and Twin Study. Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) Annual Conference, virtual.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. & Jayawickreme, N. (May, 2020). Mind your Stress: Implications of student stress mindset on stress perception, academic performance satisfaction and overall well-being. Association for Psychological Science (APS) Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. & Jayawickreme, N. (March, 2020). Mind your Stress: Implications of student stress mindset on stress perception, academic performance satisfaction and overall well-being. Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) Annual Conference, virtual.

Invited Lectures

  • Bartsch, E. M. (June, 2024). Clinical Interview Techniques to Create Evidence-Based Case Conceptualizations. The DBT Center of Arizona.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. (March, 2024). Mindfulness within the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Framework. PSY780: Advanced Treatment Methods in Mindfulness, Arizona State University.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. (February, 2024). Measurement of Acute and Chronic Pain, Blood Pressure, and Actigraphy Assessment of Sleep and Physical Activity. The Arizona Twin Project, Arizona State University.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. (February, 2024). Case Management Strategies: Interacting with the Community. The DBT Center of Arizona.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. (February, 2024). Core DBT Strategies on Problem-Solving. The DBT Center of Arizona.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. (October, 2023). Dialectical Dilemmas in the Treatment of Borderline Patients. The DBT Center of Arizona.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. (September, 2023). Interviewing for Graduate School and Beyond. The Arizona Twin Project, Arizona State University.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. (April, 2023). What is Twin Research? The Role of Research as a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student. PSY101: Introduction to Psychology, Glendale Community College.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M., & Clifford, S. (October, 2022). iMotions: Emotions and Facial Expressions. The Arizona Twin Project, Arizona State University. 
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. (April, 2022). Physical Activity and Chronic Pain in Twin Children: Genetic and Environmental Contributions. The Arizona Twin Project, Arizona State University.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. (December, 2021). All Things Graduate School. ENERGIZE Research Initiative, Arizona State University.
  • Bartsch, E. M. (November, 2021). Twin Research and Epigenetics as a Mechanism of Psychopathology. PSY472: Clinical Psychology, Arizona State University.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. (November, 2021). The History of Twin Research and Implications for Ethics in Clinical Research. PSY472: Clinical Psychology, Arizona State University.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M., & Lecarie, E. (October, 2021). Actigraphy Measurement of Sleep and Physical Activity. The Arizona Twin Project, Arizona State University.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. (December, 2020). Epigenetics and Psychopathology. PSY573: Psychopathology, Arizona State University.
     
  • Bartsch, E. M. (October, 2018). Enhancement of Memory through Osteocalcin. Psychology Colloquium, Manhattan College.