5/28/09

In 1979, Chancellor's Professor David Pisoni brought the first two postdoctoral researchers to Indiana University's campus when he was awarded a five-year training grant by the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders. Today, the same grant supports six postdoctoral researchers, six doctoral students and six medical students in Bloomington and Indianapolis.

The grant, now funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), has received additional funding to continue through 2014--making it the longest existing training grant in NIDCD history. During the next six years, the NIDCD will provide more than $3 million for training in research concerning the use of sensory aids, such as cochlear implants and hearing aids.

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5/19/09

Two researchers from the department were mentioned in the May/June 2009 issue of "Observer," the magazine of the Association for Psychological Science.

Skyler Place, who co-authored a study on speed dating with Professor Peter Todd, was featured in the Chicago Tribune, the Olympian (Olympia, Wa.), Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada), and the Indiana Daily Student this year. His research focused on the ability of observers to judge romantic interest between others.

Professor Eliot Smith had an article published in Science Magazine called "Surprising Emotions." The full text is available online (click here to read).

A former post doctoral researcher from the department also was featured in the "Rising Stars" section. Jšrg Rieskamp, professor at the University of Basel in Switzerland, cited professor Jerome Busemeyer as one of his greatest influences, noting that at Indiana University he was "surrounded by brilliant minds to learn from."

Visit the Observer Web site to subscribe.

5/5/09

Several undergraduate students were honored Friday, May 1, at the 2008-09 J.R. Kantor Undergraduate Honors Banquet. The event included a poster session by honors students.

The following students were recognized for receiving departmental awards:

Cheryl Burnham Buhler Award: Adam Steinmetz

J.R. Kantor Prize in Psychology: Heather Scherschel

James Dinsmoor Excellence in Research Award: Swathi Hemachandra

Excellence in Research Award: Nick Butcher, Hadar Karmazyn, Krystina Neuman, Megan Passaloukos and Javed Sayed

Excellence in Honors Thesis Research Award: Lauren Grove

Robert Weiskopf Award: Martha Cortes and Gabriella Denker

Psi Chi Scholarship: Amanda McIntyre

The following students were recognized for earning departmental honors through completion of an independent laboratory research project and an honors thesis:

Isak Allen, Nick Butcher, Ben Fischer, Lauren Grove, Swathi Hemachandra, Hadar Karmazyn, Chasity Kern, Kathryn Martin, Tim McCall, Asma Mermer, Paul Meyer, Elizabeth Morrone, Fernando Munoz, Samantha Orbke, Megan Passaloukis, Sharada Subramanian, Sarah Walls and Yinrou Yak.

The following students were inducted into the Psi Chi Honors Society:

Deepak Agarwal, Derek Andrews, Kimberly Biberstein, Stephanie Burgess, Alicia Burton, Ashley Carrasco, Jillian Casamo, Laura Engelhardt, Anne Gennett, Kelly Gonynor, Jessica Hunt, Bethany Keller, Kaitlin King, Polina Kostylev, John Kroner, Katherine Martin, Jacqueline Olguin, Gail Rosenbaum, Amy Rosental, Brenden Sewell, Kaitlyn Smith, Sarah Swonder, Leah Tasman, Karine Vann and Anna Zamm.

Congratulations!

4/30/09

Professor and former president of Vincennes University Phillip Summers has been honored with the Student Choice Award. Each year, the Student Alumni Association presents the awards in honor of Indiana University's most outstanding faculty. All IU students are eligible to nominate their favorite professors.

Dr. Summers has won several awards in the past, including the Indiana Daily Student "Best of Bloomington" award for best professor and the Gordon Faculty Award. Each year, his Psychology 101 class marches in the homecoming parade. His class also visited Armstrong Stadium this spring to learn more about the Little 500 tradition.

4/9/09

Two juniors double majoring in biology and neuroscience will receive one-year scholarships to cover the cost of tuition and other costs.

"The Goldwater Scholarship is a very prestigious and competitive award, with a long record of rewarding future leaders in the sciences, mathematics and engineering," said Bennett I. Bertenthal, dean of the Indiana University College of Arts and Sciences. "We are delighted to have two of our students recognized for their hard work and academic achievements, which is also a testament to the excellence of the faculty members who serve as their mentors. We congratulate Ellen and Kaleb for earning these honors."

Both Weinzapfel and Naegeli are participants in IU STARS, a program that provides young scientists-in-training with extensive research training. Weinzapfel, also a 2008 Beckman Scholar, hopes to pursue a career in stem cell research and establish a lab in a hospital or medical-based setting. Naegeli is interested in medical and disease research and previously received a Gill Scholarship. Both students also participated in the Integrated Freshman Learning Experience, which combines a summer research component with an inquiry-based advanced freshman course.

Weinzapfel and Naegeli are IU's 11th and 12th Goldwater Scholars since 2000, and two of the five undergraduates from the state of Indiana to receive Goldwater scholarships this year. A total of 278 scholarships were awarded across the country.

The Goldwater Foundation is a federally endowed agency established by Public Law 99-661 on Nov. 14, 1986. The scholarship program honoring Sen. Barry M. Goldwater was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering. In its 21-year history, the foundation has awarded 5,801 scholarships worth approximately $56 million. The trustees of the foundation plan to award about 300 scholarships for the 2010-11 academic year.

4/7/09

The spring issue of the "PsychNotes" alumni newsletter is now available online. Click here to download the PDF.

Alumni who wish to receive "PsychNotes" in the mail can update their address and other personal information on the Indiana University Alumni Association Web site.

4/1/09

The Technical Support Team in the department now has an online support request for your convenience. Click Resources in the navigation menu and select "TSG Support Request." You will be asked to log in to the Central Authentication Service.

Please use this form whenever you need assistance.

3/30/09

We are currently collecting data to help us improve our Web site to meet your needs. Please take a few moments to complete the survey. We appreciate your help and support.

2/25/09

Department lecturer Lisa Thomassen will participate in the IU Ballroom Dance Club's "Dancing with the Professors" Saturday, March 28, in HPER 163.

The event will take place during the IU Mock Competition from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Thomassen is one of six professors who will compete. Proceeds will benefit the Hoosier Hills Food Bank and the IU Ballroom Dance Club.

Student tickets are $7 presale and can be purchased at the Kelley School of Business Thursday, March 26, from noon to 2 p.m. Tickets at the door are $12. Bring a nonperishable food item to receive $2 off the ticket price.