Candace Best
Associate Professor
Academic Appointment(s)
College of Science and Mathematics
Department of Psychological Sciences
Medical College of Georgia
Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior
Medical College of Georgia
Department of Pediatrics
The Graduate School
Bio
Dr. Best is a Clinical Health Psychologist who completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Purdue University. Afterwards, Dr. Best pursued a 3-year adolescent health-focused post-doctorate at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Best’s research interests include improving reproductive health disparities among adolescents and young women.
Education
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Ph.D., Clinical Psychology
Purdue University, 2010
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MS, Clinical Psychology
Purdue University, 2006
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BA, Psychology, General
Hampton University, 2003
Certifications
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Clinical Psychologist: Georgia
2016
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Clinical Psychologist Indiana
2013
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PSYC
GA Professional Licensing Brd, 2016
Awards & Honors
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Professors in Practice
Augusta University Men's Basketball Team, 2016
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College of Science and Mathematics Junior Faculty Award
2016
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Black History Month Faculty Recognition Honoree
Augusta University, 2016
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Dr. Luther S. Williams Leadership Award
2006
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H. H. Remmers Research Award for Excellence and Social Responsibility
2006
Courses Taught Most Recent Academic Year
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MEDI 6150
MCG YOU+
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MEDI 6320
Brain, Behavior, & Movement
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MEDI 6120
Foundations of Medicine
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MEDI 6330
Healthcare Across the Lifespan
Teaching Interests
Abnormal Psychology
Health Psychology
Clinical Internship
Scholarship
Selected Recent Publications
- A model of health care provider decision making about HPV vaccination in adolescent males, 2015
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Understanding Psychosocial and High Risk Sexual Behaviors among Detained Juveniles, 2015
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- In the Context of Concurrency and Monogamy: Ideal Partner Matching in Predicting Coital Behaviors among African American Adolescents, 2014
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Young women’s contraceptive microbicide preferences: Associations with contraceptive behavior and sexual relationship characteristics, 2014
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Adolescent sexuality and sexual behavior, 2013
Research Interests
My research expertise is in the sexual health disparities of adolescents and especially African American young women. Broadly, I am interested in understanding the relevance of contextual factors and behaviors in contributing to the disproportionately high rates of STIs and maternal mortality observed within this group.
Department Service
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Department of Psychological Science Master’s Thesis Committee
2014 - Present
Role: Attendee, Meeting
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Advisor Mentor
2013 - Present
Role: Faculty Mentor
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Undergraduate Committee
2013 - Present
Role: Committee Member
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Department of Psychological Sciences Faculty Search Committee
2014 - 2015
Role: Committee Member
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Department of Psychology Major Fest
2013 - 2014
Role: Other
College Service
University Service
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Augusta University Medical Center Medical Ethics Committee
2015 - Present
Role: Committee Member
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Sexual Misconduct Advisory Committee
2015 - Present
Role: Committee Member
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Women and Gender Studies Program
2014 - Present
Role: Other
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Augusta University Counseling Center
2016 - 2016
Role: Other
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Sexual Assault Awareness Month Planning Committee
2015 - 2016
Role: Committee Member
Professional Service
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American Psychological Association
2015 - Present
Role: Member
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American Public Health Association
2015 - Present
Role: Member
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Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
2015 - Present
Role: Member
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AD HOC EDITORIAL/ CONFERENCE REVIEWS
2013 - Present
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Kinsey Institute Student Research Grants, The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, Indiana University
- 2013
Role: Other
Public Service
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Senior Capstone Project Mentor
2013 - 2013
Role: Other
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Mentor
2005 - 2013
Role: Other
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Indiana University School of Medicine, Division of Diversity Affairs
2012 - 2012
Role: Guest Speaker
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Invited Speaker, Pike High School
2012 - 2012
Role: Guest Speaker
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Invited Panelist, Chinese American School
2012 - 2012
Role: Guest Speaker
