Kelly Faig

Kelly Faig specializes in affective neuroscience. Her research examines how physiological systems underlying brain-body communication play a role in negative affect (e.g. stress, loneliness, depression) and perceptions of emotional, social, and health-relevant information. Faig’s work is published in Psychophysiology, Emotion, Scientific Reports, Biological Psychology, and other peer-reviewed journals. Faig earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wake Forest University, and a master’s degree and doctorate in psychology with a concentration in integrative neuroscience from the University of Chicago. Prior to coming to Hamilton, she was a postdoctoral associate at Duke University.

Recent Courses Taught

Stress and Psychophysiology
Emotion
Health Psychology
Fundamentals of Human Neuroscience
Introduction to Psychology

Distinctions

• Dean's Scholarly Achievement Award for Notable Year, Hamilton College, 2026
• John R. Hatch Excellence in Teaching Award, Hamilton College, 2024
• Best Early Career Abstract Award, International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2020
• John Dewey Prize Lectureship for Course Design, University of Chicago, 2018

Selected Publications

• Faig, K.E., Smith, K.E., Necka, E.A., Gaillard, E.P., Norman, G. J. (2026) Parasympathetic cardiac control and depressive symptoms predict positive and ambivalent affective evaluations in a non-clinical sample. Psychophysiology, 63:e70233.
• Faig, K.E., Chenoch, A.C., Mousa, M.S., Smith, K.E. (2025) How Does Loneliness Impact Emotion Perception? A Systematic Review. Current Research in Behavioral Sciences, 100181.
• Faig, K.E., Smith, K.E., Dimitroff, S.J. (2023) Somatovisceral influences on emotional development. Emotion Review, 15 (2) 127-144.
• Faig, K.E., Necka, E.A., Smith, K.E., Dimitroff, S.J., Norman, G.J. (2023) Resting parasympathetic activity is associated with malodor-induced change in perceived foreignness of speakers. Brain & Behavior, 13(11), e3246.
• Dimitroff, S.J., Würfel, L., Meier, M., Faig, K.E., Benz, A. E., Denk, B., Bentele, U.U., Unternaerher E., Pruessner. J C. (2023) Individuals can predict their antibody levels after COVID-19 vaccinations: evidence for immune interoception. Biological psychology, 182, 108636.

Professional Affiliations

Society for Psychophysiology
Association for Psychological Science
Society for Neuroscience
Sigma Xi

Appointed to the Faculty

Educational Background

Ph.D., University of Chicago
M.A., University of Chicago
B.A., Wake Forest University