Kristen Mark, Ph.D.

About

Kristen Mark, Ph.D., MPH, CSE is a sex and relationship researcher. She is the Joycelyn Elders Endowed Chair and Professor in Sexual Health Education at University of Minnesota Medical School within their Program in Human Sexuality. She is an Affiliate Faculty at The Kinsey Institute and Scientific Advisor to Coral, a science-based sexual wellness app. Dr. Mark holds a PhD in Health Behavior and an MPH in Biostatistics from Indiana University and she is a Certified Sexuality Educator (CSE) through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). Her research addresses the intersection of sex and romantic relationships. Specifically, she studies the maintenance of sexual desire over time, managing sexual desire discrepancy, sexual compatibility, the impact of sexuality education on adult sexual functioning, and sexual pleasure and satisfaction. She regularly publishes her research in peer-reviewed journals, presents at national and international conferences, and digests research to the public through popular online, print, television, and audio media outlets.

Recent Posts

Why Valentine's Day Is Good for Your Relationship

Think Valentine's Day is overblown? There is science behind why celebrating Valentine's Day (and every day in between) can build sexual and relationship happiness.

Am I Enough for My Bisexual Partner?

How can someone who is bisexual have successful and satisfying long-term relationships? The science clearly demonstrates several ways this is achieved.

How Often Should a Couple Have Sex?

The truth about sexual frequency.

Use Science To Show Loved Ones You Care This Valentine's Day

Want to make this Valentine's Day scientifically significant? Turn to sex and relationships science for all you need.

Stay Monogamous Using Polyamorous Principles

Polyamory isn't for everyone. But that doesn't mean there aren't useful and widely applicable guiding principles that make polyamory and consensual non-monogamy successful. Integrating consensual non-monogamy principles into monogamous relationships offers the potential for some of the benefits of non-monogamy to be integrated into the lives of many.

3 Things That Deflate Sexual Desire

Love and desire don't naturally go together. This post offers three pitfalls to avoid in order to reconcile what is required for love and what is required for desire.

Your Three Wishes for Lasting (Happy) Love

You only get three wishes for lasting love: Use them wisely.

Decoding Sexual Satisfaction

Sexual satisfaction is a complicated construct of great importance, particularly in the area of women's sex research.

Willingness to go Extra Mile Sexually for Partner is High

In a recent survey, individuals reported that they would go above and beyond in their relationships to keep their sex life hot and exciting for their partners.

What Predicts Men's Sexual Desire?

Men's sexual desire is often ignored, but this study examined what predicts men's sexual desire.