Feb. 23, 2022

Dean Kristofer Hagglund has selected Crystal S. Lim, PhD, ABPP, to lead the Department of Health Psychology. She begins her new role Aug. 15, 2022.

Dr. Lim has been a licensed psychologist since 2011 and is board certified in clinical child and adolescent psychology. Her research and clinical interests are in the field of pediatric psychology, with a specific interest in pediatric obesity and family-based weight management treatments.

“The search committee and I were impressed with Dr. Lim’s experience and success,” Dean Hagglund said. “She made clear that she was the right person for the chair position when she presented her vision and aspirational goals for the department. She brings a collaborative, energetic working style that will fit perfectly with the department’s culture.”

Dr. Lim will relocate to Columbia this summer with daughters Isabelle (age 8) and Madelyn (age 5), and husband, Kevin.

Dr. Lim comes to Mizzou from the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson, Mississippi. During her time at UMMC, she was instrumental in the development of a multidisciplinary pediatric weight management clinic that has provided medical, dietician and psychology services to more than 2,000 children and families.

Dr. Lim’s current research focuses on developing and evaluating behavioral family weight management interventions for children who are overweight and obese and their parents. She is also interested in cultural diversity, health disparities and identifying factors that can improve relevance and acceptability of interventions for underserved children and families.

Since 2017, Dr. Lim also has served as training director of the UMMC’s APA-accredited psychology internship program. In this role, she provided clinical and research supervision, as well as professional mentoring, to numerous psychology residents and other mental health trainees.

Dr. Lim received her PhD in clinical psychology from Georgia State University and completed her clinical psychology internship and post-doctoral training at the University of Florida.

“I am looking forward to capitalizing on my previous experiences to facilitate a collegial environment that supports and promotes research, clinical services and training, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion,” Dr. Lim said. “I am passionate about working with faculty and staff to advance the field of health psychology through programs that provide evidence-based clinical services. I also plan to focus on supporting and promoting interdisciplinary and collaborative research and healthy psychology-focused training programs.”