My name is Shelly Brown. I transferred to the University of California, Irvine from Irvine Valley College in 1998. I graduated in June 2001, earning a B.A. in Psychology & Social Behavior. It was a tremendous honor to have been selected as the student commencement speaker for the School of Social Ecology while also earning the following honors at graduation: summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Excellence in Research, Oustanding Contribution to the Community, and Psi Chi. I am also a single mother of three children, 18, 13, and 10, which has proven to me that hard work, tenacity and perseverance are quite effective in overcoming perceived obstacles to fulfilling dreams and goals.

The primary focus of my research has been on the effects of stress on the mind and body and resiliency to stress (hardiness). Other areas of interest include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), hypothyroidism, the causes and effects of marital discord and divorce, work and family issues, and celiac disease (wheat-gluten allergy).

I also work at UC Irvine as the Transfer Services Counselor, helping new transfer students with their transition to the university (I cannot help with admisisons questions so please don't ask me, you will just be referred to UCI Admissions). The link to my program's web site is to the left.

In June 2006 I earned a Master's Degree from UC Irvine in Social Ecology, with an emphasis in Psychology & Social Behavior. I am serving as a research assistant to Professor Salvatore Maddi, with our research interests in Hardiness, or resiliance to stress.

On the side, I am a member of several service and philanthropic organizations in Orange County. I also like to design websites and eBay ads as time allows. As the kids have gotten older I've moved on from Girl Scout Troop leadership and such, but am involved with the PTA's at their schools and like my kids to have their friends over at our house to play or hang out.

I recently got married to my best friend, Michael. We are very happy - and pictured below in Napa! Our World of Warcraft characters, Hotfox (and others) and Dthind are also pictured below. We have a lot of fun playing that game together. He is a level 70 undead mage and I'm a level 70 undead warlock. I also have a level 70 troll priest (Sultryfox), a level 70 undead mage (Steamyfox), and a nearly 60 Troll Shaman (Fireyfox) as alt characters (yes, I'm partial to Horde, Alliance sucks!).