Issue 15 The Department of Psychology's Alumni Newsletter
Oct 2024
p <.05 News Greetings 1 Research Matters/Student Kudos 2 Fund Updates 3 Department News 4 Department Awards 5 Call for Alumni Updates 5 More Dept Info & Pics 6 Call from CCPD 7 Faculty/Staff Contact Info 8
New Faces in Goodpaster Hall Congratulations and welcome to Assistant Professor of Psychology Jessica Leffers! Halloween 2023
Greetings Psychology and Human Development Alumni! We hope this finds you safe and well! The fall 2024 semester is flying by and it’s hard to believe fall reading days have already come and gone. Here's what's new:
Dr. Leffers earned her PhD in experimental psychology from Northeastern University in 2021 where she also earned her M.S. in psychology. Having completed her B.A. in psychology with minors in education and cognitive science at Goucher College, Jessica is excited to return to the area and be closer to family. While at Northeastern University Jessica researched racial and religious categorizations from a cognitivedevelopmental perspective. She received the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. After graduation she became an assistant professor of psychology at Eckerd College, Continued on page 6
We have been joined by a new faculty member: Jessica Leffers! Meet her on Pg 1 and 6 of the newsletter! This year we are excited to be searching for both an assistant professor with expertise in the culture and community breadth area as well as a lecturer who can with general psychological expertise who can contribute to our teaching needs across the curriculum. Dr. Torry Dennis is enjoying a well-earned sabbatical in AY24-25. His time will be dedicated to advancing research in addiction neuroscience. He will conduct two major studies: one on how gut health influences cocaine relapse and another on the role of gut dysbiosis in methamphetamine addiction. These projects will provide hands-on research experience for students and generate important data for understanding addiction mechanisms. In addition to experimental work, Dr. Dennis will collaborate on a review paper exploring the potential of environmental enrichment as a treatment for opioid addiction. This review will assess both preclinical and clinical findings, aiming to bridge the gap between animal research and human application. Dr. Gili Freedman is also on a well-earned sabbatical this year. She will be completing the final year of research for her NSF grant on softening the blow of social exclusion. In addition, she will be working with collaborators (including SMCM alumni) to finish a project and manuscript related to gender biases in STEM. The department’s Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity Committee (internally known as JEDI) is thrilled to see one of its larger initiatives (born from the department’s involvement in the CUR Transformations project and curriculum revision) come to fruition this year. Dr. Kristina Howansky will be teaching the first iterations of PSYC 304 Emerging Scholars. This is a 2credit course is designed as supplemental research-based and professional development experience for PSYC 204 (Research, Analysis and Writing I) students. This student-oriented class is designed to enrich understanding of research skills, applications, and opportunities and create social networks that support success as a psychology major. We miss you and hope you are off doing amazing and rewarding things. Please let us know! Connect with us, especially Angie, via LinkedIn (and join our LinkedIn alumni group). If you are on Facebook, like the Psychology Alumni page and send Angie info to post (including job and/or internship opportunities) or post it directly. If you plan a visit to campus during the academic year or summer, let us know! We absolutely love to hear from our alumni and include them in our events. And, if you stop by during the week, a faculty and/or staff member would happily join you for a coffee/tea or lunch. Take great care and keep in touch! ~ James Mantell, Department Chair
~ Angie Draheim ’03, Academic Program Coordinator & Departmental Web Specialist
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