K. Olivia Mock, Ph.D., earned her doctorate in Social and Health Psychology from Stony Brook University and is a T32 Psycho-Oncology Postdoctoral Fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the Genomics, Risk, and Health Decision-Making Lab. Her primary mentor is Dr. Jennifer Hay and her research examines how people navigate complex medical decisions, particularly the roles of anticipated and experienced regret in informing health behaviors and patient outcomes. Using mixed quantitative and qualitative methods, she studies patient experiences in reproductive and cancer-related health contexts to understand the psychological processes underlying medical decision-making.
Her work builds on prior research in pediatric palliative care and reproductive health, with a continued focus on understanding patient experiences and using these insights to improve decision support and patient-centered care. She hopes her research will help patients navigate complex medical decisions in ways that align with their values and goals. Outside of research, she practices Pilates, enjoys painting, and dotes on her cat, Luna Bar.