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Noël Lugo, a psychology academic advisor and coordinator of undergraduate diversity programs, co-authored a chapter titled "The Transgender Spectrum" in an award winning book. Read a Q&A with Noël about their chapter and what they hope for the future in gender care.
Nathan Baker is a 4th year PhD student specializing in Organizational Psychology. Over the summer, Nathan began an internship with Honeywell to support the assessment team. Nathan sat down with us recently to talk about his interests, what he’s learning through this internship, and how he sees Organizational Psychologists uniquely contributing to companies like Honeywell.
Rachelle Gladding passed away peacefully on November 21st, 2023.
As an avid sports fan and player, alumni Andy Grant ‘07 came to MSU knowing he wanted to study sports psychology. Ever since he’s been using his background to help others, from sports teams to executive leadership teams, identify and achieve their goals. We recently sat down with Andy to hear about his time at MSU, how his psychology education has helped in every step of his career, and how he hopes to help others get 1% better.
Kendra Kelly is a second-year Psychology student from Grand Ledge, Michigan. This past summer, she had the opportunity to study abroad in London. While there, she studied the Psychology of Women in a variety of diverse contexts in London. Read on to learn more about Kendra’s study abroad experience and what it was like learning outside of a classroom.
Major Carl Smith earned a PhD in Psychology in 2011, specializing in Behavioral Neuroscience. Shortly before graduating, he committed to joining the Army as a uniformed Research Psychologist (71F). From researching nerve agent intoxication to sleep restrictions on soldiers’ marksmanship, Dr. Smith now is the Associate Director for the Center of Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience. He shared with us recently about his career, how his behavioral-neuroscience background prepared him for his work, and what advice he has for students.
A new study, conducted in collaboration between researchers at Michigan State University and Central Michigan University, found that public spending on social safety net programs and on education spending each independently impact high school graduation rates, which are a key predictor of health and well-being later in life.
There is a general understanding that pets have a positive impact on one’s well-being. A new study by Michigan State University found that although pet owners reported pets improving their lives, there was not a reliable association between pet ownership and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dorothy Zhao, a senior studying Psychology and Neuroscience, is the president of Psi Chi at Michigan State University, the International Honor Society in Psychology that focuses on scholarship and advancing the field of psychology. We reached out to Dorothy to talk about her love for research, her goals as Psi Chi president, and her advice for new psychology students.
Congratulations to Dr. Robin Lin Miller for receiving the 2023 Alva and Gunnar Myrdal Evaluation Practice Award from the American Evaluation Association. This prestigious award is presented to an evaluation practitioner who has made substantial cumulative contributions to a specific area of evaluation practice and whose contributions to the field have been influential, substantial, and sustained over time.
The MSU University Outreach and Engagement office spotlighted the work that Dr. Jae Puckett and the Trans-ilience research team are doing in the community, including the Gender Affirmation Project that helps individuals change their name and gender marker.
The Michigan State Psychology department congratulates psychology alumna Dr. Aisha Nyandoro on her recent TED Talk titled “What does ‘wealth’ mean to you?” Dr. Nyandoro, who specialized in ecological-community psychology at Michigan State, founded Magnolia Mother’s Trust, the longest-running guaranteed income program in the United States.
Psychology students Brennan Haugen and Dorothy Zhao are among six undergraduate students and two alumni from Michigan State University to be nominated for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.
Amaya Elliot is a third-year student from Detroit majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Behavior and Social Services. This year, she has joined the e-board of a new student group, Black Girls in Social Science. Amaya recently sat down with us to talk about her passion for Social Science and her hopes for the impact that this group can have.
Connor Eichenauer is a fifth year PhD student specializing in Organizational Psychology. In 2023, Connor had the opportunity to intern at Ford Motor Company as a People Analytics intern. He recently shared about his experience and how it aligns with his research interests.
Hear from Psychology Club co-presidents Olivia and Siya about what they love about the Psychology Club and their goals for this year.
Shannon Gielow is a 2023 MSU graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. During her time at MSU, Shannon was involved with the Adolescent Diversion Program which fueled her drive to make large-scale policy changes in the juvenile justice system. She sat down with us to talk about her time in the ADP, her hopes for the future, and what advice she has to other psychology majors.
Dr. Jeff Lin earned a PhD in Psychology in 2020, specializing in Clinical Science. Now in a postdoctoral fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, he researches mindfulness and how contemplative practices alter mind, brain, and behavior. Read more about Dr. Lin's time at MSU and how it impacts who he is today.
Brennan Haugen, a Psychology student in the College of Social Science, was one of two Michigan State students nominated for this year's Mitchell Scholarship.
Congratulations to Dr. Neal Schmitt, University Distinguished Professor emeritus of Psychology and Management at Michigan State University, and Dr. Kara Schmitt, who served as the Director of Testing for the State for 30 years, for receiving the 2023 College of Social Science Service Award.
The MSU Psychology department is well represented in this year’s Marshall Scholarship nominees, with two out of ten student nominees majoring in psychology.
Congratulations to Dr. Rose Zacks, professor emerita of cognition and cognitive neuroscience in the Department of Psychology at Michigan State University, for receiving the 2024 William James Fellow Award from the Association for Psychological Science.
Erin Neaton, a fourth-year psychology graduate student specializing in Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience, interned with the Detroit Lions as an analyst in their information department this summer. Learn more about her research interests and what her internship experience was like with the NFL.
Meet Lily Florian, psychology major and a 2023 Homecoming court member!
The Michigan State University Psychology Department welcomes Blair Burnette, Ph.D., as a new assistant professor in the Clinical Science program. Dr. Burnette, who earned her doctorate from Virginia Commonwealth University, comes most recently from a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota and the School of Public Health, specifically in the Epidemiology and Community Health division. Dr. Burnette’s research explores the forces that shape how people feel about eating and their bodies, weight bias in healthcare settings, and intuitive eating.
Dr. Mikhila Wildey earned a PhD in Psychology from Michigan State, specializing in Clinical Science. Now an associate professor at Grand Valley State University as well as a couples therapist, she is able to apply what she learned in both an academic and clinical setting. Read more about Dr. Wildey's time at MSU and how it still impacts her work today.
The Michigan State University psychology department welcomes new faculty member Ted Schwaba, Ph.D. to their social/personality psychology program. Dr. Schwaba, who earned his doctorate from UC Davis, comes most recently from a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Schwaba's research specializes in personality genomics, lifespan personality development, and life experiences and personality development.
Joel Soler earned a PhD in Psychology in May 2019, specializing in Behavioral Neuroscience. Shortly after graduating, he began working for Eli Lilly and Company as a medical writer and is now a Senior Manager in the Lilly Research Laboratories Campus Recruiting division. Joel sat down with us recently to talk about his time at MSU, how he ended up in the field that he is, and how his program prepared him to make a difference in the workplace.
Drink lots of water. If you have taken a class with Dr. Jonathan Weaver, there is a good chance you’ve received this advice. Weaver, an associate professor of psychology, has made this his mantra over his years of teaching at Michigan State. Read more about Dr. Weaver here.
Jessie Greatorex, 2023 Social Science Commencement Speaker, welcomes students to MSU and shares some of her best advice.
Darielle Kontcho, is a 3rd year student from Erlanger, Kentucky, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Science. Darielle sat down with us recently to talk about switching majors in times of uncertainty, how research can give you the opportunity to discuss significantly underrepresented topics, and how she hopes to continue to help people in her future endeavors.
We are currently accepting applications for the 2023 Graduate Student J-DEI Research Grant. This award was created by the PSY J-DEI Committee to support the psychology department's graduate students on exemplary research topics that examine or advance J-DEI. The deadline for submitting applications has been extended to Friday, October 13th, 2023 at 5:00 pm.
A new study from researchers at Michigan State University and Tilburg University found that Americans’ political attitudes did not change significantly during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, contrary to what many expected.
How can we get less sleep and still perform at our peak? Dr. Kimberly Fenn shares about her research with the MSU Sleep and Learning Lab with this question in mind.
Traditional wisdom holds that to predict a political outcome, it is best to look at how strongly a person adheres to a political party. However, a recent study by social psychologists from Michigan State University and Tilburg University in the Netherlands reveals that ideological identities, like aligning with liberal or conservative views, play a crucial role in keeping political attitudes stable. This research deepens our understanding of the factors that shape individuals’ opinions and values on political issues over an extended period.
Congratulations to Dr. Rebekka Weidmann for receiving the Emerging Scholar Award from the Association for Research in Personality. This award is presented biennially to recognize exceptionally high-quality work from emerging personality psychologists.
Justin Crouch, a senior majoring in Psychology (with a minor in History) was recently awarded the Henderson Family Award, making him the first-ever recipient of the award.
Meet Sydryl Denila, an incoming graduate student in the Ecological-Community Psychology research area.
Meet Lexi LaChappa, an incoming graduate student in the Ecological-Community Psychology research area.
Meet Mihael MacBeth, an incoming graduate student in the Ecological-Community Psychology research area.
We are currently accepting nominations for the 2023 Undergraduate Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Contribution to Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (J-DEI) in Psychology. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, September 15th, 2023 at 5:00 pm. This award was created by the PSY J-DEI Committee to award undergraduate psychology students in their contribution to the advancement of J-DEI.
Meet Lindsay Ackerman, an incoming graduate student in the Social/Personality Psychology research area.
Meet Kenya Mulwa, an incoming graduate student in the Social/Personality Psychology research area.
Meet Caton Weinberger, an incoming graduate student in the Organizational Psychology research area.
Meet Hee Woong Park, an incoming graduate student in the Organizational Psychology research area.
Meet Laura Bauer, an incoming graduate student in the Organizational Psychology research area.
Meet Xiaolong Zhang, an incoming graduate student in the Organizational Psychology research area.
Meet Asher Denny, an incoming graduate student in the Organizational Psychology research area.
A new study by an interdisciplinary team of researchers across six different countries found that affective polarization, or the tendency to dislike people who belong to opposing political parties while favoring people from their own political party, is a global bias — not just an American one. The research further indicates that the dislike grows stronger when two people think about political issues the same way but come away with different beliefs about those issues.
MSU Psychology graduate student, Jessica Saucedo, is a community psychologist that isn’t afraid to look at the larger systems that an individual lives in, including the systems she finds herself in. As a graduate student in the Ecological-Community psychology program, Saucedo is on a transformative journey that intertwines personal growth, health and well-being, and collaborative research endeavors.
Meet Haley Hall, a soon to be psychology alumna, who is interning with Crim Fitness Foundation. This internship is through the Flint Study Away Internship Program, a credit-bearing summer internship program where MSU undergrads live, work, and study within the city of Flint for 8-10 weeks. Learn more about Haley's role at her internship, how psychology prepared her for this role, and how this internship turned into something more than expected!
Meet Apeksha Ramasani, a psychology student heading into her last semester, who is interning with Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village. This internship is through the Flint Study Away Internship Program, a credit-bearing summer internship program where MSU undergrads live, work, and study within the city of Flint for 8-10 weeks. Learn more about Apeksha's work at Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village, her experience with the Flint Study Away program, and how this internship has helped her know her path moving forward.
Congratulations to Dr. Dorothy Carter on receiving an Early Career Award from the Interdisciplinary Network for Group Research.
Meet Donna McAlpine, a second year psychology student who is interning with Catholic Charities in Flint, Michigan. This internship is through the Flint Study Away Internship Program, a credit-bearing summer internship program where MSU undergrads live, work, and study within the city of Flint for 8-10 weeks. Learn more about Donna's work at Catholic Charities, her experience with the Flint Study Away program, and what drew her to the field of Psychology.
Meet Olivia Feldman, a third year psychology student who is interning with Voices for Children in Flint, Michigan. This internship is through the Flint Study Away Internship Program, a credit-bearing summer internship program where MSU undergrads live, work, and study within the city of Flint for 8-10 weeks. Learn more about Olivia’s work at Voices for Children, her experience with the Flint Study Away program, and how psychology has set her up for success in this internship.
Dr. Katie Clements is a community psychologist whose journey has been marked by a deep commitment to community engagement and a belief in the transformative power of education. Learn more about how Dr. Clements strives to empower individuals and communities through her research, teaching, and mentorship.
Meet Courtney Tolbert, a psychology major interning at Tuesday’s Child in Chicago, Illinois. Courtney works with kids that have behavioral issues to help prep them for school in the fall. The Department of Psychology is proud to celebrate our undergraduate psychology majors who are interning this summer across the country!
Fox 26 Houston invited Clinical Science Ph.D. student Megan Mikhail to share tips on how to cope with stress eating. Mikhail discussed how to know when you may be eating due to stress and what kind of stress triggers this type of eating.
We invite you to meet Acacia Meyer, a psychology junior, who is interning at Pine Rest Psychological Consultation Center. The Department of Psychology is proud to celebrate our undergraduate psychology majors who are interning this summer across the country!
Dr. Emily Durbin has been named the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies for the College of Social Science.
We invite you to meet Olivia DeCator, a psychology senior, who is interning at the Fort Wayne Police Department's Hope and Recovery Team (HART). The Department of Psychology is proud to celebrate our undergraduate psychology majors who are interning this summer across the country!
The Department of Psychology is proud to celebrate our undergraduate psychology majors who are interning this summer across the country! We invite you to meet Maya Calloway, an incoming psychology junior, who is interning at University of Michigan Health- Pediatric Psychology division .
The Department of Psychology is proud to celebrate our undergraduate psychology majors who are interning this summer across the country! We invite you to meet Alexis de Vries, an incoming psychology senior, who is interning at Eve's House in Lansing MI.
A new study from Dr. Bill Chopik sheds light on how memories of childhood caregivers continue to change among middle-aged and older adults.
Dr. Rebecca Campbell, and 9 other faculty, have been named University Distinguished Professor in recognition of their outstanding achievements in teaching, research and public service.
Brent Donnellan has been recommended to serve as the dean of Michigan State University’s College of Social Science.
The rainbow Pride flags flying this month obscure the ongoing legislative attacks threatening the health and well-being of transgender and nonbinary people and their families. Here Dr. Jae Puckett shares about their research and what it means.
The Department of Psychology at Michigan State University is proud to celebrate our undergraduate psychology majors who are interning this summer across the country! First off, we invite you to meet Laura Lojacono, an incoming psychology senior, who is interning at the Mental Health Advocates of Western New York this summer. Laura plays a vital role as a Community Outreach intern, connecting individuals in need with essential resources.
Michigan State University's Trans-ilience lab has partnered with Allen Neighborhood Center, a Lansing community non-profit, to launch the Gender Affirmation Project. The program will offer logistical and financial support to trans and nonbinary people seeking legal gender affirmation through name and/or gender marker changes.
Dr. Jason Moser is a psychophysiologist at MSU whose research spans various areas of psychology, neuroscience, and kinesiology. His lab, the Clinical Psychophysiology Lab, explores the interaction between mind and body and seeks to understand the full human experience. For Mental Health Awareness Month, we sat down with Dr. Moser to discuss what steps people can take in their own life to address their mental health and why he believes in a holistic approach.
Alisar Alabdullah, a first-generation Syrian immigrant and an honor student majoring in Psychology with a minor in human behavior and social services, recently received the College of Social Science’s Undergrad Research Award at Michigan State University.
Dr. Joseph Lonstein, a behavioral neuroscientist in the MSU Department of Psychology, along with Drs. Galit Pelled, a neuroscientist in MSU Biomedical Engineering and Radiology, and Fredric Manfredsson at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix have received a $425,000 grant from the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, a subdivision of the National Institute of Health. This two-year grant will fund their project, Neural Basis of Stress-Derailed Motherhood, which aims to examine how stress affects a mother’s brain and behavior in a laboratory rat model.
Dr. Deborah Kashy, a social psychologist, has recently been awarded the College of Social Science’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Teaching, Research, and Service. With nearly 25 years of service at Michigan State University, Dr. Kashy has established a record of remarkable achievements in scholarship, instruction, and mentorship, as well as exceptional service to both the University and the field of social psychology.
Michigan State Psychology is proud to announce that two of its esteemed faculty members in Organizational Psychology, Dr. Nathan Carter and Dr. Christopher Nye, have been elected as fellows of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP). This recognition is a testament to their outstanding contributions to Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Martin Lee has been named the Psychology Outstanding Senior. Lee, an international student from Hong Kong, has maintained a 4.0 GPA while also being a member of the Honors College.
Congratulations to Dr. Brooke Ingersoll, a clinical psychologist, on receiving the 2023 Undergraduate Research Faculty Mentor of the Year Award for Michigan State University. This award is presented annually and recognizes faculty who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to mentoring undergraduate researchers.
Eleven Michigan State University researchers, including psychology professor Dr. Richard Lucas, have been recognized in the 2022 Highly Cited Researchers List compiled by Clarivate Analytics. The list identifies individuals from across the globe who have demonstrated significant and broad influence in their chosen field or fields of research over the past decade.