World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Kathleen C. Light

Kathleen C. Light

D-Index & Metrics

Medicine

D-Index
80
Citations
19858
World Ranking
17270
National Ranking
8654

Overview

Kathleen C. Light is affiliated with the University of Utah in the United States. Their research spans multiple fields primarily within medicine and psychology, focusing notably on neuroendocrine regulation and behavior as well as heart rate variability and autonomic control. The body of work includes contributions to experimental cognitive psychology, social psychology, cardiology and cardiovascular medicine, public health, environmental and occupational health, and the study of endocrine and autonomic systems.

Their recent published papers illustrate a diverse array of topics relevant to both psychological and physiological studies. Key publications include:

  • "Stability Study of Molecularly Doped Semiconducting Polymers" (2024, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C)
  • "Relationship of Psychological Characteristics to Daily Life Ischemia: An Analysis From the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Psychophysiological Investigations in Myocardial Ischemia" (2022, Psychosomatic Medicine)
  • "An investigation of plasma and salivary oxytocin responses in breast- and formula-feeding mothers of infants" (2020, UNC Libraries)
  • "Plasma oxytocin is related to lower cardiovascular and sympathetic reactivity to stress" (2020, UNC Libraries)
  • "The role of oxytocin in familiarization-habituation responses to social novelty" (2021, UNC Libraries)

Kathleen C. Light has collaborated extensively with a number of coauthors. Frequent collaborators include:

  • Karen Grewen
  • William Maixner
  • David S. Sheps
  • Susan S. Girdler
  • Rebecca Campo

Their research has appeared primarily in UNC Libraries, with fifteen publications, supported by contributions to other peer-reviewed venues such as The Journal of Physical Chemistry C and Psychosomatic Medicine.

Core research topics addressed by Kathleen C. Light cover areas such as:

  • Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
  • Neuroscience of respiration and sleep
  • Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
  • Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Conducting polymers and applications

These topics reflect an interdisciplinary approach combining physiological, psychological, and material science perspectives, highlighting a broad scope from applied medicine and psychology to biophysical and chemical studies.

Best Publications

  • Effects of partner support on resting oxytocin, cortisol, norepinephrine, and blood pressure before and after warm partner contact.

    Karen M. Grewen;Susan S. Girdler;Janet Amico;Kathleen C. Light

  • Influence of a "warm touch" support enhancement intervention among married couples on ambulatory blood pressure, oxytocin, alpha amylase, and cortisol.

    Julianne Holt-Lunstad;Wendy A. Birmingham;Kathleen C. Light

  • More frequent partner hugs and higher oxytocin levels are linked to lower blood pressure and heart rate in premenopausal women.

    Kathleen C. Light;Karen M. Grewen;Janet A. Amico

  • Hemodynamics of Blood Pressure Responses During Active and Passive Coping

    Andrew Sherwood;Carol A. Dolan;Kathleen C. Light

  • The Relationship Among Heart Rate, Carotid dP/dt, and Blood Pressure in Humans as a Function of the Type of Stress

    Paul A. Obrist;Claude J. Gaebelein;Emily S. Teller;Alan W. Langer

  • Orthostatic Hypotension Predicts Mortality in Middle-Aged Adults The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

    Kathryn M. Rose;Marsha L. Eigenbrodt;Rebecca L. Biga;David J. Couper

  • Heart rate variability in patients with coronary artery disease: Differences in patients with higher and lower depression scores

    Rungroj Krittayaphong;Wayne E. Cascio;Kathleen C. Light;David Sheffield

  • Ischemic, Hemodynamic, and Neurohormonal Responses to Mental and Exercise Stress Experience From the Psychophysiological Investigations of Myocardial Ischemia Study (PIMI)

    A. David Goldberg;Lewis C. Becker;Robert Bonsall;Jerome D. Cohen

  • Allopregnanolone levels and reactivity to mental stress in premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

    Susan S Girdler;Patricia A Straneva;Kathleen C Light;Cort A Pedersen

  • Orthostatic hypotension and the incidence of coronary heart disease: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study

    Kathryn M. Rose;Herman A. Tyroler;Christopher J. Nardo;Donna K. Arnett

  • Mental Stress-Induced Ischemia and All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Results From the Psychophysiological Investigations of Myocardial Ischemia Study

    David S. Sheps;Robert P. McMahon;Lewis Becker;Robert M. Carney

  • Cardiovascular Responses to Effortful Active Coping: Implications for the Role of Stress in Hypertension Development

    Kathleen C. Light

  • Gender differences in blood pressure control during a variety of behavioral stressors.

    Susan S Girdler;J. R. Turner;A. Sherwood;K. C. Light

  • Warm partner contact is related to lower cardiovascular reactivity.

    Karen M. Grewen;Bobbi J. Anderson;Susan S. Girdler;Kathleen C. Light

  • Psychological stress induces sodium and fluid retention in men at high risk for hypertension.

    Kathleen C. Light;John P. Koepke;Paul A. Obrist;Park W. Willis

  • Ischemic but not thermal pain sensitivity varies across the menstrual cycle.

    R B Fillingim;W Maixner;S S Girdler;K C Light

  • High Stress Responsivity Predicts Later Blood Pressure Only in Combination With Positive Family History and High Life Stress

    Kathleen C. Light;Susan S. Girdler;Andrew Sherwood;Edith E. Bragdon

  • Cardiovascular responses to an active coping challenge as predictors of blood pressure patterns 10 to 15 years later.

    K C Light;C A Dolan;M R Davis;A Sherwood

  • Enhanced Cardiovascular and Catecholamine Responses in Women with Depressive Symptoms

    Kathleen C Light;Kathleen C Light;Rupa V Kothandapani;Rupa V Kothandapani;Michael T Allen;Michael T Allen

  • Group differences in pain modulation: pain-free women compared to pain-free men and to women with TMD

    Edith E. Bragdon;Kathleen C. Light;Nancy L. Costello;Asgeir Sigurdsson

Frequent Co-Authors

Susan S. Girdler
Susan S. Girdler University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Alan L. Hinderliter
Alan L. Hinderliter University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Andrew Sherwood
Andrew Sherwood Duke University
Paul A. Obrist
Paul A. Obrist University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
William Maixner
William Maixner Duke University
Bert N. Uchino
Bert N. Uchino University of Utah
Timothy W. Smith
Timothy W. Smith University of Utah
James A. Blumenthal
James A. Blumenthal Duke University
Gary G. Koch
Gary G. Koch University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
David Sheffield
David Sheffield University of Derby

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Expanding your career options in medicine doesn’t always require following the traditional route of medical school. There are several related degree programs and pathways that offer flexibility and specialized knowledge for prospective healthcare professionals.

For those interested in the administrative side of healthcare, pursuing a health care administration online degree can open doors to leadership and management roles in hospitals, clinics, or public health organizations. Many students are also considering an advanced mha degree cost when evaluating their investment in a future healthcare leadership position.

Nursing professionals wanting to achieve the highest clinical credentials can benefit from cheap online dnp programs, which prepare graduates for top clinical, academic, and executive roles. Likewise, pharmacists seeking to enhance their medical expertise often turn to pharmd online programs for flexible and affordable advancement.

Each pathway offers different career trajectories, making it possible to join the healthcare industry in both clinical and non-clinical roles, often with greater work-life balance and less student debt.

Best Scientists Citing Kathleen C. Light

Trending Scientists