Candace Best

Associate Professor

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.

  • (706) 721-3141
  • SCI E1015

Education

  • Ph.D., Clinical Psychology Purdue University, 2010

  • MS, Clinical Psychology Purdue University, 2006

  • BA, Psychology, General Hampton University, 2003

Certifications

  • Clinical Psychologist: Georgia 2016

  • Clinical Psychologist Indiana 2013

  • PSYC GA Professional Licensing Brd, 2016

Awards & Honors

  • Professors in Practice Augusta University Men's Basketball Team, 2016

  • College of Science and Mathematics Junior Faculty Award 2016

  • Black History Month Faculty Recognition Honoree Augusta University, 2016

  • Dr. Luther S. Williams Leadership Award 2006

  • H. H. Remmers Research Award for Excellence and Social Responsibility 2006

Courses Taught Most Recent Academic Year

  • MEDI 6150

    MCG YOU+
  • MEDI 6320

    Brain, Behavior, & Movement
  • MEDI 6120

    Foundations of Medicine
  • 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

  • Department of Psychological Science Master’s Thesis Committee 2014 - Present

    Role: Attendee, Meeting
  • Advisor Mentor 2013 - Present

    Role: Faculty Mentor
  • Undergraduate Committee 2013 - Present

    Role: Committee Member
  • Department of Psychological Sciences Faculty Search Committee 2014 - 2015

    Role: Committee Member
  • Department of Psychology Major Fest 2013 - 2014

    Role: Other

College Service

  • University Senate Dispute Resolution and Grievance Committee 2014 - 2015

    Role: Other

University Service

  • Augusta University Medical Center Medical Ethics Committee 2015 - Present

    Role: Committee Member
  • Sexual Misconduct Advisory Committee 2015 - Present

    Role: Committee Member
  • Women and Gender Studies Program 2014 - Present

    Role: Other
  • Augusta University Counseling Center 2016 - 2016

    Role: Other
  • Sexual Assault Awareness Month Planning Committee 2015 - 2016

    Role: Committee Member

Professional Service

  • American Psychological Association 2015 - Present

    Role: Member
  • American Public Health Association 2015 - Present

    Role: Member
  • Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine 2015 - Present

    Role: Member
  • AD HOC EDITORIAL/ CONFERENCE REVIEWS 2013 - Present

  • Kinsey Institute Student Research Grants, The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, Indiana University - 2013

    Role: Other

Public Service

  • Senior Capstone Project Mentor 2013 - 2013

    Role: Other
  • Mentor 2005 - 2013

    Role: Other
  • Indiana University School of Medicine, Division of Diversity Affairs 2012 - 2012

    Role: Guest Speaker
  • Invited Speaker, Pike High School 2012 - 2012

    Role: Guest Speaker
  • Invited Panelist, Chinese American School 2012 - 2012

    Role: Guest Speaker