Newsletter Winter 2024

Thad Polk, Samuel D. Epstein Collegiate Professor of Psychology; Arthur F. Thurnau Professor

"Neural Dedifferentiation" Is One Cause of Cognitive Aging. What Is It, and What Can We Do About It?

Since the early 2000s, Professor Thad Polk’s most-cited research has examined the neurocognitive changes that occur as we age. Polk and others have discovered that a process known as “neural dedifferentiation” may be an important cause of those changes. But neural dedifferentiation does not occur at the same rates or levels for everyone, suggesting that better understanding its causes may eventually help us prevent or reverse it. So what is it, and what can we do about it? Learn more

Cindy Lustig, Professor of Psychology; Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies; Director of the Honors and STAR Scholars Programs

Professor Cindy Lustig Supports Students as Teacher, Mentor, and Donor

Professor Cindy Lustig has been a passionate supporter and advocate for Psychology students throughout her career. That passion comes naturally, in part because support at key moments was critical to her own development from an early age. In addition to teaching, mentoring, and departmental service, Lustig has supported students through donations, including contributing annually to various student-focused initiatives and establishing the John Lustig & Irmgard Stahl Lustig Graduate Travel & Speaker Fund. Read more

Jaime Rotsky, (BA: Psychology and Screenwriting Double Major, 2019) NatGeo Program Strategy & Content Planning Manager at The Walt Disney Company

Psychology Alum Jaime Rotsky Combines Creativity and Data Analysis to Decide What Airs on NatGeo

As the National Geographic Program Strategy & Content Planning Manager at The Walt Disney Company, Psychology alum Jaime Rotsky plays a key role in deciding what shows air on NatGeo and when they are scheduled. Until Rotsky completed her first industry internship, she (like most people) did not even know jobs like hers existed. But she believes she has found her niche, and she relies every day on skills she developed as a Psychology student. 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.

Kristen Schuh, Biopsychology Graduate Student
PhD Advisor: Natalie Tronson

Does Taking Birth Control Hurt or Help Mood? We Still Don't Know. But That May Be the Wrong Question

The development of hormonal contraceptives (HCs) was one of the most important medical breakthroughs of the 20th century. Despite that, some of their mechanisms and effects are still not well understood. For example, studies of their influence on anxiety, depression, and overall mood have had conflicting findings, which may stem partly from limitations of those studies and of all research on humans. PhD student Kristen Schuh is developing a mouse model to address those limitations and help us understand how HCs really affect mood. Learn more

2022 Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) graduate Alison Albrecht competed on NBC's The Voice this past season. Albrecht, originally from Novi, MI, won entry with her audition performance of Alanis Morissette's "Ironic." She competed on Reba McEntire's team before eventually being eliminated on November 6. Since graduating, Albrecht has moved to LA to pursue her dream of being a professional musical artist. Read more about Albrecht's time on the show
(Photo credit: Tyler Golden/NBC)

Dominick Caputo, Psychology Honors Senior
Thesis Advisors: Philip Cheng and Patricia Deldin

Data from Apple Watch and other wearable accelerometers is prevalent in the consumer market and therefore possesses significant untapped research potential. My research aims to answer whether Apple Watch is a viable source for large-scale data about rest/activity cycles and sleep. Participants wore a dedicated activity monitor and an Apple Watch for two weeks and completed nightly sleep diaries. The collected data will be used to assess concordance between devices and to compare their ability to produce reliable sleep metrics such as nightly total sleep time, and delayed sleep onset.

Lorraine Gutierrez, Arthur F Thurnau Professor of Psychology; Professor of Social Work; Director of the Center for Community Learning, retires 5/31/24

Martin Sarter, Charles M. Butter Collegiate Professor of Psychology; Professor of Neuroscience, retires 5/31/24