Psych News
Features
42 Undergraduate Student Posters Presented at the 2024 Psychology Expo
Undergraduates from all three campuses presented their research at the annual Psychology Expo on November 8. Special congratulations to the poster award winners:
- 1st Place - Gavin Heindorf | A Stable Index of Reward Processing: Reward Positivity is Not Moderated by Anhedonia, Worry, or Effort
- 2nd Place - Jordan Barringer | Exploring Sex Differences: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Risk Factors and Substance Use Disorder in Sexually Abused Justice-Involved Adolescents
- 3rd Place - Miriam Mami and Abigail Heffner | Exploring the Effects of Defendant and Victim Age on Mock Jurors鈥� Decisions: A Look Into the Methodology
Jamie Goldenberg and Emily Courtney have recently published a piece in The Conversation, where they delve into the psychology of climate change denial, particularly in the face of hurricanes. Their article sheds light on two crucial insights: first, people are strongly motivated to defend against existential threats; and second, paradoxically, once the immediate threat of a natural disaster like a hurricane has passed, individuals may become more inclined to deny climate change, especially when it challenges their existing worldview. This piece communicates, through a popular press outlet, the complexities of climate change denial and the psychological mechanisms that come into play as people process threats to their existence and deeply held beliefs.
The APS Observer featured Dr. Elizabeth Schotter and her research team's prestigious Sabbatical Award. The team, comprised of Gary Lupyan (University of Wisconsin鈥揗adison), Tracy Riggins (University of Maryland, College Park), and Dr. Schotter, are the latest recipients of the Sabbatical Fund Fellowship from the James McKeen Cattell Fund. This well-deserved recognition highlights the innovative and impactful nature of Dr. Schotter's work. During her sabbatical, she will collaborate with researchers Brennan Payne (University of Utah) and Karen Emmorey (San Diego State University) to advance groundbreaking approaches linking eye movement behaviors to cognitive and neural processes. Her work, particularly with deaf signers, promises to make significant strides in the field of reading efficiency. In addition, Dr. Schotter's dedication to the research community is evident in her plans to create open-access templates and publish methods papers that will undoubtedly inspire and enable other researchers to adopt these cutting-edge techniques.
Tammy Allen receives NSF funding to study remote/hybrid work
The National Science Foundation has awarded USF researchers grant funding to study remote/hybrid work. The project is designed to better understand the day-to-day experiences of individuals who work from home and how those experiences differ from working onsite. Distinguished University Professor Tammy Allen from the department of psychology is leading the project.
Steve Kozlowski elected as Fellow of the Academy of Management
Industrial-Organizational faculty member and Distinguished University Professor Steve Kozlowski was elected as Fellow of the Academy of Management. He will be inducted in August.
Clinical student Kendall Poovey receives an F31 National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Mental Health
Kendall Poovey, a doctoral student in the clinical program, was recently awarded an F31 National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Mental Health. This fellowship will support research training for the next two years. She will be exploring the role of gastrointestinal interoception in the maintenance of restrictive eating disorders. Her advisor is Diana Rancourt.
Steve Stark has been selected to serve on the Joint Committee to revise the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. The Standards provide guidance to a wide range of users, governing bodies, and policy-makers. We congratulate Dr. Stark on being selected for this important role.
Joint Diversity Committee Beach Clean Up
The USF Psychology Department Diversity Committee and Student Diversity Committee joined forces with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful and held a beach clean up at Cypress Point Park. Congratulations to these great committees.
Mental Health Matters: Raising Awareness and Breaking Stigma
Congratulations to the Undergraduate Psychology Alumni Society (UPAS) for a very successful event to celebrate Mental Health Awareness.
USF Distinguished Undergraduate Psychology Alumni 2022 Award
Congratulations to Dr. David Doan who was able to receive his USF Distinguished Undergraduate Psychology Alumni 2022 Award in person while he was on campus to celebrate Mental Health Awareness.
Judy Bryant Speaks at USF Celebration of Teaching
Judy Bryant participated in an invited panel at the March 11 Celebration of Teaching. It is hoped that this event, organized by USF's Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning, will be held annually.
USF 2023 Graduate Research Symposium Winners
Elizabeth Sykes and Roger Young won the 2023 Graduate Research Symposium Award, presented by the Office of Graduate Studies and the Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC).
Presenter: Elizabeth Sykes (CNS Psychology Graduate Student)
Title: Guilt in the Golden Years: Examining the Effects of Defendant Age, Victim Age and
Age Stereotype in a Mock Murder Trial
Major Professor: Christine Ruva
Presenter: Roger Young (CNS Psychology Graduate Student)
Title: Subjective Opacity Theory: Exploring the Ontological Gap Between The Mind and World
as a Psychological Experience
Major Professor: Jennifer Bosson
Psychology Graduate Students Assist with the National Institute for the Teaching of Psychology
Graduate students from both the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses assisted at the January National Institute for the Teaching of Psychology. This event is co-sponsored by the USF Psychology Department. Volunteers were coordinated by Allie Choate. Thanks to Jenna Bowker, Kaelyn Wofford, Gemma Park, Erjia Cao, Gloria Laugalis, Alex Kah, Enzo Novi Migliano, Mikey Hopkins, and Sabrina Eisenberg.
Career Panel A Huge Success
Thank you to our USF undergraduate psychology alumni who provided an excellent panel discussion on Exploring Careers in Psychology hosted by the Undergraduate Psychology Alumni Society and the Undergraduate Psychology Association. The event was very informative and the students in attendance were grateful for the wisdom shared by the alumni. Thank you alumni and Go Bulls!
10th Annual Psychology Expo: Undergraduate Poster Awardee
Natalya Thomas supervised by Dr. Dominic D'Agostino in the USF Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology: "The Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Non-Diabetics: A Viable Method to Improve Metabolic and Mental Health?"
Dr. Elizabeth Schotter receives an Outstanding Research Achievement Award
Recognized for distinguished contributions to the fields of cognitive psychology and neuroscience, particularly for the development of detailed theories of the neuro-cognitive mechanisms involved in the process of skilled reading and the development of advanced experimental methods used to study those processes. Read more...
Dr. Christine Ruva receives an Outstanding Research Achievement Award
Recognized for distinguished contributions to Psychology and Law, particularly for research on pretrial publicity鈥檚 impact on a defendant鈥檚 Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial, which resulted in an invitation to assist in writing an amicus curiae brief submitted to the United States Supreme Court. Read more...
Students Enjoy USF's Study Abroad Developmental Psychology Course in Italy
Dr. Judy Bryant's Developmental Psychology students celebrate the end of the summer semester. They were part of USF's Study Abroad program in Florence, Italy.
USF Inclusive Excellence Student Awards
Destiny Gomez and Elisa Carsten received the USF Inclusive Excellence Student Award, presented by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office on April 12, 2022.
Destiny Gomez (Psychology Major, Racial Justice Student Fellow, St. Petersburg campus)
"Destiny has worked to create a more inclusive and just campus on both Tampa and St Pete campuses by raising awareness of numerous injustices through xer work as Social Justice Director for OMA, as a racial justice fellow, and as a member of the Students of Color Advisory Board and as a student in xer personal interactions and social media engagement. "
Elisa Carsten (Clinical Psychology Graduate Student)
"As President of the Department of Psychology鈥檚 Student Diversity Committee at the Tampa campus, Elisa has innovated the approach to diversity and inclusion in the psychology department and has pushed the movement to new boundaries. This has inspired several other students to join the mission and also resulted in the creation of the undergraduate mentorship program within the department."
Tammy Allen receives the Ellen Galinksy Generative Researcher Award for work-family research from the Work Family Researchers Network.
Psychology Major Elijah Seay Invited to Speak at National Council for Mental Wellbeing Conference
Senior Elijah Seay will speak in April at NatCon22, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing's conference. He will be part of a panel for professionals from all over the world about establishing relationships with youth and adolescents when providing care related to substance use. The organization invited Elijah because of his previous presentation to this organization.
Psychology Department Co-Sponsors 2022 National Institute on the Teaching of Psychology
The Department of Psychology helped co-sponsor the 2022 National Institute on the Teaching of Psychology the first week of January. Graduate students and faculty volunteered to assist with sessions.
Dr. Adriana Uruena-Agnes, Rose Miller, Dr. Stephen Chew (NITOP organizer), Dr. Judy Bryant, Haomin 'Ivy' Chen were among the volunteers (not pictured: Dr. Charlie Hoogland, Jessica Jordan)
Clinical alumna recently appointed the Deputy Director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD).
From mock doctor to real doctor, Kemesha Gabbidon fights for public health
Emma Frank, a Psychology major, was named the Outstanding Graduate at USF's 2020 summer graduation ceremonies.
Psychology students recognized in National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
STP Mentorship of Teachers Award
Dr. Judy Bryant was just awarded the Society for the Teaching of Psychology鈥檚 (STP)
inaugural Mentorship of Teachers Award.
Early Career Award
Dr. Fallon Goodman just won an early career award from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, specifically an award from the 2020 Alies Muskin Career Development Leadership Program.
Dr. Liz Schotter's work on speed reading was featured in the New York Times magazine.
Staff Appreciation Event
Shae Krispinsky received an Individual Award from the College of Arts and Sciences
for consistently demonstrating significant and outstanding performance.