Jessica Allen earned her PhD in Aging Studies from the University of South Florida and completed postdoctoral training at Rutgers University. Before joining Samford, she served on the psychology faculties at Athens State University and Birmingham-Southern College. She teaches General Psychology, Lifespan Development and Psychology of Aging. Her research examines psychological well-being and health-related quality of life across the lifespan, with interests in chronic illness, rare disease and community-engaged research.