
Mia Jovanova

- Doctoral Candidate
Mia Jovanova uses tools from computational social science, neuroscience and network science to study how people change their behavior.
Mia Jovanova is a doctoral candidate the Communication Neuroscience lab. At present, her work focuses on studying health behavior change. Some of her projects look at how brain and social network characteristics relate to peer influence on drinking and unhealthy eating. She draws links between cognitive models of the brain and social processes in groups to improve models of individual and collective well-being. Jovanova uses functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), experimental laboratory paradigms, intensive smartphone sampling (EMA), and network analysis techniques.
Previously, Jovanova conducted research at the health communication lab at Cornell University, where she received her undergraduate degree in 2017. Prior to her scientific pursuits, Mia played competitive tennis, representing North Macedonia, and competed in more than 30 countries around the world.
Education
- B.S., Cornell University, 2017
- M.A., University of Pennsylvania, 2020
Selected Publications

Mocktails or Cocktails? Having a Sense of Purpose in Life Can Keep Binge Drinking At Bay
A new study reveals that having a sense of purpose in daily life can influence college students’ decisions on day-to-day alcohol consumption.



