Professor Gabriel is a Social Psychologist and internationally renowned expert on Social Surrogacy—the tendency for humans to form psychological relationships with non-human (on non-physically available) entities. She has published papers in prominent, peer-reviewed papers on the importance and nature of psychological bonds with celebrities, favorite television shows, and comfort foods. Professor Gabriel also studies prayer, social comparison, friendship processes, and gratitude. She is an associate editor at Social and Personality Psychological Science and is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and the European Journal of Social Psychology. Professor Gabriel received her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Northwestern University in 2000.