Congratulations to the World’s Ahead Doctoral Award Recipient
Jenna Kieckhaefer from Psychology received the World’s Ahead Doctoral Award. She will be recognized at commencement for her award. Nadja Schreiber Compo was the Faculty Advisor for her. Congratulations on all your achievements!
Eliza Nelson’s research mentioned in Wall Street Journal
A study shows that children who show right handed preference at a young age develop better language skills. Florida International University researcher Eliza Nelson discusses on Lunch Break.
Children who consistently used their right hand to pick up toys as infants had more highly developed language skills at 2 years old compared with those whose hand preference became apparent as toddlers, a study in the current issue of Developmental Psychology found.
Hand use is thought to be variable until late childhood, but recent studies suggest a small number of children always use the same hand from a very young age, researchers said.
For full The Wall Street Journal article click here.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships
We are excited to announce that one our doctoral students have been awarded National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships (NSF GRF)! Carla Abad (2nd year – Shannon Pruden advisor). Shannon Pruden is part of the Faculty Mentor Program.
This very prestigious program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based masters and doctoral degrees. Both Carla and Yesenia will receive a three-year annual stipend of $32,000 along with tuition coverage, access to XSEDE Supercomputer, opportunities for international research and professional development, and the freedom to conduct their own research.
Congratulations to Carla and her advisor, Shannon Pruden!
Jon Comer study recognized in Boston television interview
Jon Comer was on local TV in Boston last week talking about a study he did looking at the effects of the Boston Marathon bombing on children. Psychologist Jonathan Comer led a project at Boston University to assess how children who lived near the bombings and manhunt were affected, as opposed to those who live in more distant suburbs. “Here was an opportunity to study a high profile terrorist attack that intentionally targeted a child and family event. This was not an office building,” added Comer.
For full story click here.
Congratulations to our outstanding graduate students!
Best Thesis: Iris Broce
(Anthony Steven Dick is the Faculty Advisor for Iris Broce.)
Best Dissertation: Rolando Carol
(Nadja Schreiber Compo is the Faculty Advisor for Rolando Carol.)
FIU psychology department explores MOOC assessment options
Florida International University is in the early stages of creating a pilot for prior learning assessment, which could be used to determine if students have learned enough from an outside course.
Some universities aren’t waiting around. Florida International University is in the early stages of creating a pilot for prior learning assessment, which could be used to determine if students have learned enough from an outside course—whether of the high school, online or massive open online variety—to qualify for credit. The experiment will begin in in the university’s introduction to psychology course, and if the intended spring 2015 pilot is a success, the model may expand to other disciplines, said Kristin Nichols-Lopez, associate chair of the department.
For full story click here.
Jeremy Pettit was recognized in the media
Jeremy Pettit was mentioned in an article on bullying in Ocala magazine. To view full article click here. He was also mentioned in a podcast interview on child anxiety in sports. For full podcast click here.
Congratulations to Ron Fisher on publicity in Time
Ron Fisher was mentioned in an article that was in Time magazine. The article was titled Signs of Lying: Here’s What Will and Will Not Help You Detect Lies. It is about how lying well is hard — but not in the way you might think. To read the full article click here.
FIU students showcase work at STEM Research Symposium
Psychology major Marcela Ramos may have found a way to encourage more women to work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, and it could lead to more effective training techniques for women and men. Psychology major Daniela Salazar studied the relationship between spatial and numeracy skills in pre-kindergarten-aged children and how different teaching methods might encourage them to enter STEM fields. Her hope is that changing the way teachers instruct will improve the chances of children entering STEM fields. Marcela also won the Dean’s research award for our work in Shannon Pruden’s lab.
For full FIU News story click here.
