Faculty Research Spotlight: Ashley Gearhardt
Ashley Gearhardt, Professor of Psychology (BA: Psychology, 2003)
Understanding Ultraprocessed Food Addiction
Manufacturers of ultraprocessed foods like potato chips, cookies, and candy have long marketed their products as irresistible, and many people struggle to stop eating them. However, the concept of food being literally addictive, similar to cigarettes or alcohol, wasn't widely studied until the early 2010s. Since then, Professor Ashley Gearhardt has become a leading researcher in the field of ultraprocessed food addiction, finding compelling biological and behavioral evidence that some foods affect the body and brain similarly to other addictive substances. With obesity being the second-largest cause of preventable deaths in the U.S., this research is crucial. Read more
Check out Gearhardt's new scientific handbook, Food & Addiction: A Comprehensive Handbook (2nd Edition), published August 16, 2024 through Oxford University Press. Available through Amazon and other retailers
Al and Barbara Cain Living Memorial Award
The Department of Psychology announced the inaugural recipient of the Al and Barbara Cain Living Memorial Award at a ceremony in May (click photo to see a larger version). Congratulations to Sanzida Chowdhury! She received the award for her Honors thesis titled “Revisiting The Past: Examining Adverse Childhood Experiences and Their Links to Adult Relationship Trust, Vulnerability, Communication, Satisfaction, and Loneliness."
Established thanks to a generous gift from the Cain family, the new award will recognize one or more outstanding undergraduate student(s) annually whose Honors thesis focuses on bereavement, attachment and loss, or trauma.
Between them, Al and Barbara Cain have over 140 years of involvement with Michigan Psychology. Al came to U-M in 1949, Barbara in 1952. Over the many decades of Al’s career, he served the department in countless ways, including during his 10 years as Chair. Barbara served for 40 years as clinical supervisor of U-M’s Psychological Clinic among other roles. Thank you, Barbara and Al, for all you have done for our department, university, and community!
Visit our Giving Page to support the Al and Barbara Cain Living Memorial Award.
A Celebration of the Career of John Jonides
In late May, the Department hosted Uniting the Mind and Brain: A Celebration of the Career of John Jonides. Friends, colleagues, and former students visited campus to give talks inspired by John’s deep and continuing influence as a researcher and mentor. Thank you to all who attended, and an extra special thanks to Edward Awh (Professor, University of Chicago) for helping to coordinate the event! Click the image above for a larger version.
Donor Spotlight: Morton P. Birnbaum
Morton P. Birnbaum, (PhD: Clinical Psychology, 1968)
Judith L. Birnbaum Graduate Student Award Fund
Morton (Mort) and Judith (Judy) Birnbaum first met and fell in love while completing their Clinical Psychology PhDs at Michigan in the 1960s. Both went on to long and successful careers as psychologists in the Boston area. Mort specialized in children and schools. Judy, after several influential years in the 1970s Women’s Movement, became a beloved therapist in private practice. When Judy passed away from Alzheimer’s Disease, Mort established the Judith L. Birnbaum Graduate Student Award Fund to honor her legacy and support innovative research that advances the values she championed throughout her career. Read more
Alumni: Share Your Career Experience
We would love to hear from alumni who have pursued careers in psychology or in other fields! If you would like to share your post-graduate career experience, please contact us.
Congratulations to Our Psychology Olympians!
Congratulations to the Department of Psychology alumni who competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics!
Siobhán Haughey (Psych BA, 2019): Freestyle Swimming, Hong Kong, Bronze Medals in 100m and 200m
Paul Juda (Psych BA, 2023): Gymnastics, USA, Bronze Medal
Shelina Zadorsky (Psych BA, 2014): Soccer, Canada
Interested in Becoming a Research Participant? Join the Psychology Paid Subject Pool!
If you are interested in making a bit of extra money and supporting psychological science, please consider joining the Michigan Psychology Paid Subject Pool! The pool is a list maintained by the Department of people who are interested in participating in research for pay. Participants can be anyone: students (current or former), faculty, staff, or people unaffiliated with the university. The information on the list is confidential and will be shared only with researchers in or collaborating with the Department.
Faculty Retirement
Terry Robinson, Elliot S. Valenstein Distinguished University Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, retires 12/31/2024
Join Us 9/13/2024 for the Psychology Homecoming Picnic!
You are invited to attend the 2024 Psychology Homecoming Picnic! The festivities will include free food, games, and an opportunity to catch up with the department. Join the fun Friday, September 13, from 12-2pm on the grassy area between East Hall and Weiser Hall. RSVPs are required. Please register here by September 2, 2024 if you plan to attend!
Exploring the Mind Talks
A monthly series of talks by U-M Psychology faculty. All Fall 2024 talks will be held in-person at the Ann Arbor District Library's downtown branch. Talks will be recorded and made available for later online viewing. Details about each talk will be sent separately, so stay tuned! Visit the Psychology Community Talks page for up-to-date info and to view past presentations.
Where Have Our Psychology T-Shirts Been?
Katie Austin, BCN Major, at the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in New Taipei City, Taiwan
