Dr. Desirée C. Bygrave is an Associate Professor of Psychology within the Psychology and Educational Studies Department at Benedict College. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Voorhees University, both a Master of Science degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Research Neuropsychology from Howard University, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship within the School of Nursing at the University of Delaware. Her research focuses on understanding biopsychosocial factors associated with cardiovascular disease risk and cognitive function among adults as they age. She also explores effective approaches that promote optimal brain and cognitive health, with a specific focus given to patterns of association among African American adults and those of African descent living in the United States.

In recognition of her teaching excellence, Dr. Bygrave is Benedict College’s 2024 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award by the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Incorporated. Her professional development includes training as an Adult Mental Health First Aid Trainee with the National Council for Mental Well-being (2024-2027), QM-Certified Peer Reviewer through Quality Matters (2023-2026), and fellowships with the Congruent Mentorship to Reach Academic Diversity in Neuroscience Research program at New York University (2016), the National Institute of Mental Health Summer Institute in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of California, Santa Barbara (2014), and the Preparing Future Faculty Program at Howard University (2012-2014).