Jessica Wells, Ph.D.

Department of Criminal Justice
1910 University Drive
Boise State University
Boise, ID 83725-1955
Office: Albertsons Library 166D
Fax: 208-334-2359
Email: jessicawells@boisestate.edu

Download a printable pdf of the CV of Jessica Wells, Ph.D.

Doctor of Philosophy (May 2017), in Criminal Justice and Criminology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas. Dissertation title: “Individual Differences in the Impact of Stress on Alcohol use, Binge Drinking, and Alcohol Use Onset: The Role of Developmental and Biological Variation.” Chair: Dr. Danielle Boisvert.

Masters of Arts (May 2013) in Criminal Justice and Criminology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas. Thesis title: “Molecular Genetic Underpinnings of Self-Control: 5-HTTLPR and Environmental Risk Factors.” Chair: Dr. Todd Armstrong

Bachelor of Arts (May 2011) in Criminology & Criminal Justice and English, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois.

2017-present   Assistant Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, Boise State University.

2017   Adjunct Instructor, Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Sam Houston State University.

2011-2017   Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant, Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Sam Houston State University.

2011-2012 Graduate Research Assistant, Correctional Management Institute of Texas, Sam Houston State University.

Walsh, A., Wells, J., & Gann, S. M. (2020). Correctional Assessment, Casework & Counseling. Springer International Publishing.

Walker, J., Venta, A., Bechelli, J., Brewer, T., Boisvert, D., Bick, J., Lewis, R., Wells, J., & Armstrong, T.  (In Press). Testing the role of inflammation in the relation of childhood maltreatment and suicidal ideation among young adults. Journal of Clinical Psychology

Venta, A., Bechelli, J., Bick, J., Brewer, T., Boisvert, D., Wells, J., Lewis, R., & Armstrong, T. (2021). Inflammatory and environmental contributions to social information processing. Attachment and Human Development.

Jorgensen, C., & Wells, J. (2021). Is marijuana really a gateway drug? A nationally representative test of the marijuana gateway hypothesis using a propensity score matching design. Journal of Experimental Criminology.

Armstrong, T., Wells, J., Boisvert, D., Lewis, R., Cooke, E., Woeckener, M., & Kavish, N. (2021). An exploratory analysis of testosterone, cortisol, and aggressive behavior type in men and women. Biological Psychology, 161, 10873.

Kavish, N., Boisvert, D., Cooke, E., Lewis, R., Woeckener, M., Wells, J., & Armstrong, T. (2021). Further evaluating the associations between psychopathic traits and symptoms of PTSD and depression. Journal of Personality Disorders, 35, 469-480.

Cooke, E., Lewis, R., Hayes, B., Bouffard, L., Boisvert, D., Wells, J., Kavish, N., Woeckener, M., & Armstrong, T. (2020). Examining the relationship between victimization, psychopathy, and the acceptance of rape myths. Journal of Interpersonal Violence.

Armstrong, T., Boisvert, D., Wells, J., Lewis, R, Cooke, E., & Woeckner, M. (2020). Assessing potential overlap between self-control and psychopathy: A consideration of the Grasmick self-control scale and Levenson self-report psychopathy scale. Journal of Criminal Justice, 70, 101725.

Armstrong, T., Boisvert, D., Wells, J., & Lewis, R. (2020). Extending Steinberg’s adolescent model of risk taking to the explanation of crime and delinquency: Are impulsivity and sensation seeking enough? Personality and Individual Difference, 165, 110133.

Cooke, E. M., Connolly, E. J., Boisvert, D. L., Armstrong, T. A., Kavish, N., Lewis, R. H., Wells, J., Woeckener, M., & Harper, J. (2020). Examining how testosterone and cortisol influence the relationship between strain, negative emotions, and antisocial behavior: A gendered analysis. Crime & Delinquency​.

Boisvert, D., Wells, J., Armstrong, T., Lewis, R., & Woeckner, M. & Nobles, M. (2020). Low resting heart rate and stalking perpetration. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 35(11-12), 2271-2296.

Armstrong, T., Wells, J., Boisvert, D., Lewis, R., Cooke, E., & Woeckener, M., Kavish, N. (2019). Skin conductance, heart rate, and aggressive behavior type. Biological Psychology, 141, 44-51.

Kavish, N., Boisvert, D., Wells, J., Lewis, R., Cooke, E., Woeckener, M., & Armstrong, T. (2019). On the associations between indicators of resting arousal levels, physiological reactivity, sensation seeking, and psychopathic traits. Personality and Individual Differences, 141, 218-225.

Woeckener, M., Boisvert, D., Cooke, E., Kavish, N., Lewis, R., Wells, J., Armstrong, T., Connolly, E., & Harper, J. (2018) Parental rejection and antisocial behavior: The moderating role of testosterone. Journal of Criminal Psychology, 8(4), 302-313

Cooke, E. M., Armstrong, T., Boisvert, D., Wells, J., Lewis, R. H., Hughes-Stamm, S., & Gangitano, D. (2018). The relationship between the MAOA-uVNTR polymorphism, delinquent peer affiliation, and antisocial behavior with a consideration of sex differences. Psychiatric Quarterly, 89(4), 841-853.

Wells, J., Armstrong, T., Boisvert, D., Lewis, R., Gangitano, D., & Hughes-Stamm, S. (2017). Stress, genes, and generalizability across gender: Effects of MAOA and stress sensitivity on crime and delinquency. Criminology, 55, 548-574.

Boisvert, D., Wells, J., Armstrong, T., & Lewis, R. (2017). Serotonin and self-control: A genetically moderated stress sensitization effect. Journal of Criminal Justice, 56, 98-106.

Wells, J, Armstrong, T., Boutwell, B., Boisvert, D., Flores, S., Symonds, M., & Gangitano, D. (2015). Molecular genetic underpinnings of self-control: 5-HTTLPR and self-control in a sample of inmates. Journal of Criminal Justice, 43(5), 386-396.

Armstrong, G. S., Atkin-Plunk, C. A., & Wells, J. (2015). The relationship between work–family conflict, correctional officer job stress, and job satisfaction. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 42(10), 1066-1082.

Wells, J. (2021). Biosocial Research Methods. The Encyclopedia of Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2, 535-545.

Walsh, A., Jorgensen, C., & Wells, J. (2020). “Evolution and Punishment” SAGE Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology.

Wells, J., & Walsh, A. (2019). Biosocial Theories in Criminology. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264079.013.245

Chumchal, M., Cooke, E., Boisvert, D., Wells, J., Lewis, R., Connolly, E., & Armstrong, T. “Focusing on the trees to understand the forest: Examining how dimensions of self-control and psychopathy are associated with antisocial behavior.” R&R at Journal of Criminal Psychology.

Armstrong, T. A., Boisvert, D. L., Wells, J. Lewis, R. H., Cooke, E. M., Woeckener, M., Kavish, N., & Harper, J. M. (Under review). “Testosterone, Cortisol and Crime.” R&R at Hormones and Behavior.

Mitchell, M., Wells, J., & Crandall, K. “Gentrifying or gentrified: Neighborhood crime rates and calls for service in revitalizing areas.” R&R at Crime & Delinquency.

Perez, K., Boisvert, D., Cooke, E., Connolley, E., Wells, J., Lewis, R., Woeckener, M., & Armstrong, T. “The influence of prenatal testosterone (2D:4D) on psychopathic characteristics.” R&R at Heliyon.

Royle, M., Boisevert, D., Armstrong, T., Wells., J., Lewis, R. “Examining the Association between Alcohol Use and Heart Rate Reactivity in Relation to Externalizing Behaviors among Young Adults.” Under review at Substance Use & Misuse.

Kulig, T. C., Armstrong, T. A., Krushas, A. E., Boisvert, D., Wells, J., & Lewis, R. “Examining the role of low self-control and psychopathy in explaining poly-victimization.” R&R at Victims & Offenders.

Wells, J., Armstrong, T., Cooke, E., & Boisvert, D. “Psychopathy and aggression: Dimensionality of psychopathy and reactive/proactive aggression across gender.” Under review at Deviant Behavior.

Armstrong, T., Boisvert, D., Wells, J., Keller, S., & Vietto, N. “Preliminary evidence for a relationship between dopamine beta hydroxylase genotype and aggression.” Under review at Journal of Genetics.

Woeckener, M., Lewis, R., Wells, J., Boisvert, D., Connolly, E., Cooke, E., Kavish, N., & Armstrong, T. “Does heart rate reactivity moderate the influence of emotional child abuse on violent behavior? A gender-based analysis.” Under review at Journal of Criminal Justice: Revise and Resubmit.

Perez, K., Narvey, C., Boisvert, D., Armstrong, T., Wells, J., & Lewis, R. “Empathy moderates the association between self-control and aggression.” Under review at the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency.

Walsh, A., Vaske, J., & Wells, J. “Feminist Criminology through a Biosocial Lens, 3rd edition.” Under contract with Carolina Academic Press.

Cooke, E. M., Boisvert, D. L., Armstrong, T. A., Kavish, N., Lewis, R. H., Wells, J., Woeckener, M., & Harper, J. “Testing a dual hormone model of psychopathy and rape myth acceptance: Examining the relationship between psychopathy, testosterone, and cortisol on myth acceptance.”

Armstrong, T., Boisvert, D., Wells, J., Lewis, R., Woeckner, M., & Cooke, E. “Are Gottfredson and Hirschi’s (1990) self-control and psychopathy the same thing? A consideration of conceptualization and measurement focusing on the Grasmick self-control scale and the Levenson self-report psychopathy scale.”

Wells, J., Drawve, G., & Swerin, D. “Approaching intimate partner violence at the micro-level: An analysis in Boise, Idaho.”

Wells, J., Comer, B., Lewis, R., Boisvert, D., & Armstrong, T. “Stress responsivity, sensitivity, and resiliency to the deleterious effects of intimate partner violence victimization.”

Grubb, J., Posick, C., & Wells, J., “Examining near repeat burglaries involving single and serial offenders.”

Wells, J., Grubb, J., & Posick, C. “Are places like people? A spatio-temporal analysis of crime specialization.”

Wells, J. & Miller, A. “Gentrification and educational quality: An analysis of changing demographics in Portland, OR.”

Miller, A., & Wells, J. “School choice and the utilization of community resources: Impacts of gentrification on school composition.”

Wells, J., Jorgensen, C., & Comer, B. “MAOA, 5-HTTLPR, and alcohol use outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis of gene-environment interaction effects.”

Lewis, R. H., Wells, J., Meziere M., McCain, S., Boisvert, D., & Armstrong, T. “How does attractiveness influence the relationship between aggression and psychopathy?”

Lewis, R. H., Price, T., Boisvert, D., Wells, J., & Armstrong, T. “How gender and sexual preference play a role in the effects of trauma, PTSD, and heart rate relationship concerning impulsivity, sensation seeking, and antisocial behavior.”

Randa, R., Wells, J., & Zedaker, S. “Perceptions of body size and bullying victimization: Consideration of social cues and victimization type.”

King, L., Growette-Bostaph, L., Gillespie, L., Wells, J., Jeffries, R. (2020). “Idaho Crime Victim Survey Results.” Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance. Boise, ID.

Growette-Bostaph, L., Jeffries, R., King, L., Gillespie, L., & Wells, J. (2020). “Idaho’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative: The Effect of HB528 on Sexual Assault Clearance Rates.” Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance. Boise, ID.

King, L., Growette-Bostaph, L., Gillespie, L., Wells, J., & Jeffries, R. (2020). “Idaho Crime Victim Service Provider Survey Results.” Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance. Boise, ID.

Gann, S., & Wells, J. (2018). “Community Correctional Education.” Idaho Criminal Justice Commission. Boise, ID.

Armstrong, G. S., Wells, J., & Atkin-Plunk, C. A. (2013). “The ‘silent killer’ of correctional officers: Examining job stress among TDCJ correctional officers (Correction Management Institute of Texas Report 2013-No. 1).” Correctional Management Institute of Texas. Huntsville, TX.

Wells, J. (2019). Biosocial theories of female offending. In Encyclopedia of Women and Crime.

Wells, J. (2018, May 14). “Explanations for Problem Drinking and What We Can Do About It.”  https://thebluereview.org/explanations-for-problem-drinking/

Wells, J., (2021). “Eye Movement Desensitizing and Reprocessing (EMDR) Program Evaluation.” Idaho Department of Corrections. $21,832, funded..

Wells, J., Graves, D., Burnham, M., Williamson, M., Epstein, K., & Metcalf, A. (2021). “The (emotional) tragedies of environmental conflict: A rural risk and well-being assessment in two acts.” Idaho NSF EPSCoR. $50,000, funded.

Bostaph, L., King, L., Gillespie, L., & Wells, J. (2021). Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities. $76,649, funded.

 Gann, S., & Wells, J. (2018) “Community correctional education.” Idaho Criminal Justice Commission, $21,857.00, funded.

Thomas, S., Drawve, G., & Wells, J. (2015). “Examining the influence of incident, police organizational, and community level characteristics on the clearance by arrest for violent and non-violent offenses.” National Institute of Justice, $39,349, not funded.

Bostaph, L., King, L., & Gillespie, L. (2020). “Biannual report on victimization and victim services.”

Biosocial Underpinnings of Stalking Wave 2; Enhancement Research Grant, funded, $10,000.

Understanding the Resting Heart Rate/Antisocial Behavior Relationship; Office of Research and Special Programs, funded, $17,500.

2020    Flexible Teaching for Student Success Instititue.

2019    ArcGIS Analysis Workflows for Law Enforcement; International Association of Crime Analysts.

2019    Boise State Uniting for Inclusion and Leadership in Diversity (BUILD) Certificate Program (Completed); Boise State University.

2019    eCampus Course Design and Development Seminar (eCD2S); Boise State University.

2018    eCampus Teaching Online Seminar (eTOS); Boise State University.

2017    Studying Patterns of Behavior Using Growth Curve and Group Based Trajectory Models; American Society of Criminology.

2015    ICPSR Strutural Equation Modeling in STATA; Summer Program in Quantitative Methods of Social Research; University of Michigan.

Wells, J. (March, 2021) “Crime in the Urban Environment.” Osher Institute. Virtual Event. 

Wells, J. (November, 2020) “Psychopathy: Beyond serial killers and into the community.” Idaho Society of Certified Public Accountants. 2020 Fraud Conference.

Wells, J. (October, 2020). “Trauma in the criminal justice system.” Osher Institute. Virtual Event.

Wells, J. (September, 2019). “Work-Life Balance in Graduate School and Beyond.” Sam Houston State University.

Wells, J. (November, 2019). “Integrating biosocial and environmental criminology.” American Society of Criminology. San Fransisco, CA.

Wells, J., Jorgensen, C., & Comer, B. (October, 2019). “MAOA, 5-HTTLPR, and alcohol use outcomes: A systematic review of gene-envitonment interaction effects.” Western Association of Criminal Justice, Coeur D’Alene, ID.

Drawve, G., Wells, J., Swerin, D. (February, 2019). “Approaching intimate partner violence at the micro-level: An analysis in Boise, Idaho.” Western Association of Criminology, Honolulu, HI.

Wells, J., Cooke, E., Lewis, R., Boisvert, D., & Armstrong, T. (November, 2018). “Low Self-Control and Opportunity: A Biosocial Perspective” American Society of Criminology, Atlanta, GA.

Wells, J. (Feburary, 2018). “IPV and depression: A stress sensitization approach” Academy of Criminal Jsutice Sciences, New Orleans, LA.

Chesna, E., Blanco, A; Behrec, C.; Cansino-Jones, G., Gandy, P., Wells, J., Boisvert, D., Armstrong, T., Hughes-Stamm, S., & Gangitano, D. (Feburary, 2018). “Variation in genes affecting dopamine turnover, oxytocin, and serotonin in inmate and student populations” American Academy of Forensic Science, Seattle, WA.

Wells, J., Boisvert, D., & Armstrong, T. (November, 2017). “Stress sensitization and biological stress responsivity: A developmental approach to the impact of stress across gender.” American Academy of Criminology, Philadelphia, PA.

Chesna, E., Beherec, C., Cansino-Jones, G., Gandy, P., Wells, J., Boisvert, D., Armstrong, T., Hughes-Stamm, S., & Gangitano, D. (Feburary, 2017). “Relationship of oxytocin (OXT) and the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) single nucleotide polymorphisms and antisocial behavior” American Academy of Forensic Science, New Orleans, LA.

Wells, J., (November, 2016). “Individual differences in the impact of stress on substance use: The role of developmental and biological variation” American Society of Criminology, New Orleans, LA. 

Wells, J., Armstrong, T., Simmons, S. (March, 2016). “It depends: A spatial environmental approach to heartrate-environment interation.” Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Denver, CO.

Wells, J., Randa, R., & Simmons, S. (March, 2016). “BMI and bullying victimization: An evolutionary perspective of extremes.” Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Denver, CO.

Wells, J., Armstrong, T., Boisvert, D., Lewis, R. (November, 2015). “Stress, genes, and generalizability across gender: Direct and interactive effects of candidate genes and life stress on antisocial behavior.” American Society of Criminology, Washington, D.C. (also presented at Graduate Research Symposium, Sam Houston State University).

Wells, J., Cooke, E., Armstrong, T., Boisvert, D. (March, 2015). “The Association between Psychopathy, Reactive, and Proactive Aggression: A Gendered Approach.” Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Orlando, FL.

Wells, J. (February, 2015). “Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphism in Interaction with Monoamine Oxidase SNPs in the Explanation of Sensation Seeking via Reward Processing.” Graduate Research Exchange. Sam Houston State University.

Wells, J. (November, 2014). “Aggression, psychopathy, & empathy.” American Society of Criminology. San Francisco, CA.

Wells, J. (November, 2013). “The association between the serotonin transporter gene and self-control.” American Society of Criminology. Atlanta, GA.

Wells, J., Armstrong, G., & Atkin, C. (March, 2013). “The impact of work-family conflict on correctional officer job stress and job satisfaction.” Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Dallas, TX.

Department of Criminal Justice, Boise State University

Face-to-Face Instruction

Data in Public Service

Theories of Crime

Research Methods (Communication in the Discipline)

Senior Seminar: Drugs and Crime (Finishing Foundations)

Online Instruction

Research Methods (Communication in the Discipline)

Drugs and Crime

Theories of Crime

Data in Public Service

Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University

Face-to-Face Instruction

Introduction to Methods of Research (Writing Enhanced; Honors Contract Supervisor)

Gender and Crime

Criminology (Academic Community Engagement; Honors Contract Supervisor)

Online Instruction

Introduction to Methods of Research (Writing Enhanced)

Criminology

Department of Criminal Justice, Boise State University

Face-to-Face Instruction

Critical Issues in CJ (Communities, Crime, and Crime Mapping with GIS)

Gender & Justice

Social Diversity & Crime

Research Methods

Theories of Crime

Amanda Miller. Dissertation Committee Chair.

Jonathan Krutz. Dissertation Committee Chair. Graduation May, 2022.

Jaime Negrete. Thesis Committee Chair. Graduation May, 2022.

Mary Hannah Hughes. External Reader. University of Arkansas-Little Rock. Graduation Dec, 2021.

Karen Armenta-Rojas. Thesis Committee Chair. Graduation Aug, 2020.

John Ropp. Thesis Committee Member. Graduation Aug, 2019.

Benjamin Comer. Thesis Committee Member. Graduation May, 2019.

2021 – present   Criminal Justice Curriculum and Assessment Committee (member), Boise State Universit

2020 – present   Criminal Justice Diversity and Inclusivity Committee (member), Boise State University

2020 – present   Criminal Justice Communications Committee (member), Boise State University

2019 – present   Pretenure Women’s Group (co-host), Boise State University

2019 – present   School of Public Service Research Committee (member), Boise State University

2019 – present   Urban Studies Faculty Affiliate, School of Public Service, Boise State University

2018 – present   Ph.D. Program Committee (member), Boise State University

2020 – 2020       SPS Inclusive Excellence Inventory Inquiry Team, School of Public Service, Boise State University

2018 – 2019       GIS Faculty Advisory Board (member), School of Public Service, Boise State University

2018 – 2020       Faculty Senate Diversity Committee (chair), Boise State University

2018 – 2020       Online CJ Degree Development Committee (member), Boise State University

2018 – 2019       Undergraduate Program PAR Review Committee, Boise State University

2018 – 2019       School of Public Service Cluster Hire Committee, Boise State University

2018                   Ph.D. GA Assignment Committee (member), School of Public Service, Boise State University

2018                   “Meet & Greet: Media and Criminal Justice Faculty” Organizing Committee (member)

2017 – 2018       Faculty Senate Diversity Committee (member), Boise State University

2017– 2018        Graduate Program PAR review committee, Boise State University

2016                   Speaker at Thesis/Dissertation Workshop, SHSU

2015                   Host of Interdisciplinary Workshop in Structural Equation Modeling in STATA

2015 – 2016       Fierce Focus Writing Group (organizer), College of Criminal Justice, SHSU

2014 – 2017       Sexual Assault Awareness Month Planning Committee, SHSU

2014 – 2017       Criminal Justice Graduate Student Organization, College of Criminal Justice, SHSU;     Technology Liaison

2014 – 2017       Criminal Justice Graduate Student Organization, College of Criminal Justice, SHSU;  Member of Service Committee

2013 – 2014       Criminal Justice Graduate Student Organization, College of Criminal Justice, SHSU;  Chair of Service Committee

2012 – 2017       Criminal Justice Graduate Student Organization, College of Criminal Justice, SHSU; Member

2012 – 2017       Graduate Student Mentor, College of Criminal Justice, SHSU

2012 – 2013       Advisor, Dean’s Student Advisement Committee, College of Criminal Justice, SHSU

Manuscript Reviewer

Frontiers in Psychology

Psychological Reports

Criminal Justice and Behavior

Crime & Delinquency

Journal of Adolescence

Journal of Qualitative Criminology

Journal of School Violence

Women and Crime

Panel Chair:

American Society of Criminology (2019)

Academy of Criminal Justice Science (2018)

Academy of Criminal Justice Science (2016)

Web-Developer

Western Association of Criminal Justice: wacj.org (2018-present)

Idaho Biennial Reports: idvch.com (2020-present)

Program Committee

American Society of Criminology: Division of Biopsychosocial Criminology (2018-2020) 

2017    Advisor to the Idaho State Tax Commission (Aggression and Violence)

Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences

American Society of Criminology

Division on Developmental/Life-Course Criminology

Division on Women & Crime

Division of Biopsychosocial Criminology

Division of Communities and Place

Biosocial Criminology Association

International Association of Crime Analysts

Western Association of Criminal Justice

Updated: 08/11/2022