Tags: Carl Vinson Institute of Government International Center

woman running in the woods
Amazing student: Madison Miracle

Through volunteer work and study abroad, Madison Miracle believes that medicine can be used as an agent of change and she’s already put that belief into practice. But that’s only the beginning for the senior majoring in biology and psychology: The summer after my sophomore year, I was awarded a scholarship from the Honors International Scholar Program to study abroad and volunteer in Peru. As a part of the UGA en España Peru Medical…

portrait with swimmer
Dean Tate Scholar Chantal Van Landeghem

Georgia swimmer Chantal Van Landeghem was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and was named the organization's 2016 Dean William Tate Scholar: The Dean William Tate Scholar is an award given annually to an outstanding inductee of Phi Beta Kappa, having earned a perfect 4.0 in his or her field of study. Van Landeghem, a senior studying psychology, is Georgia's first-ever student-athlete to receive the award. "Today means so…

blueberries and strawberries
Noted and Quoted, November 2016

Research, opinion and more put Franklin College faculty and students in print and pixels around the world in November. A sample of the great work by our colleagues: Chimps and bonobos had flings—and swapped genes—in the past (Distinguished Research Professor of Genetics Michael Arnold) – Science Magazine When does skepticism become bias in science? Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor Marshall Shepherd in his regular column in…

two men with fMRI machine
Researchers investigate how plant compounds affect brain activity

The power of technology is one thing, but novel uses of great tools to investigate complex questions is connecting researchers with new insights, like this new study from the department of psychology: The same compounds that give plants and vegetables their vibrant colors might be able to bolster brain functioning in older adults, according to a recent study from the University of Georgia. The research from the department of psychology is the…

man in an exam room
Amazing student: David Newton

Majoring in biology and psychology with a minor in chemistry, the senior from Augusta has put the focus of his UGA experience on research, interning and community volunteering as he prepares for medical school: My time at UGA could be characterized as a humbling yet exhilarating work in progress. I’ve had some of the most incredible experiences in my life, and the people I’ve met here have been even more incredible. Many of these friends…

climate statistics
Noted and Quoted, October 2016

New research, stormy weather and narcissism were some of the headlines featuring Franklin faculty during October, among many others. A sampling of the many media stories: Could You Spell that for Me, Please? Psychology professor W. Keith Campbell quoted in a San Diego State University News story on unique American bay names Can familiarity build trust? A white cop moves into black Atlanta neighborhood. Geography professor Steven Holloway quoted…

ancient hand-drawn map in color
Noted and Quoted, September 2016

Research and expertise of Franklin faculty members mentioned widely in the media in September (plus a few notable examples from August): University researchers discover remains of 16th century Spanish fort associate professor of anthropology Victor Thompson mentioned in multiple outlets – R&B, Beaufort Gazette, The Atlantic, Kokomo Tribune, ABH, Ancient Origins HyperSolar names chemistry professor John Stickney as scientific advisor –…

words on a chalkboard
The power of mnemonics

While it may not ring with the poetry of 'memory,' mnemonics represent the patterns and associations that allow us to remember - and learn - and will be the topic of what sounds like a fascinating presentation this afternoon, sponsored by the department of psychology and CTL: Henry L. Roediger III, the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor at Washington University, will provide a quick history of interest in mnemonics and then…

news graphic in blue
Noted and Quoted, summer 2016

Expert voices and new research had Franklin faculty featured in the media on a range of subjects from climate change to the 'love hormone' to the discovery of a Spanish fort on the South Carolina coast. A sampling (only through July!): Just a few more bites: Defining moderation varies by individual, study finds (Michelle vanDellen, psychology) – ScienceDaily You can't lose weight with moderate eating – Times of India Study reveals that eating "…

man holding brain
Advancing Neuroscience

Brain Trust - Unlocking the mysteries of the mind - in the current Research magazine provides an expansive take on the breadth of neuroscience research at UGA: If the history of science has taught us anything, it is that transformational discoveries—influential findings that result in society-wide applications—are built upon a foundation of basic research. That’s a lesson well learned by neuroscientists at UGA, who recognize that we cannot…

man and woman smiling
Talking it through

Among the many aspects of communication between couples - from sharing aspirations, hopes and dreams to paying the bills and planning visits to the in-laws - the nature of how we talk to each other rises to particular importance. And while discussions of all kinds shape the interactions with our significant others, factors determining our relative happiness and quite often, the very sustainability of the relationship, can go beyond the success…

woman in front of hospital sign
Amazing Student: Sarah Ouderkirk

Franklin College double major (biology and pyschology) and president of the premed honors society (Alpha Epsilon Delta) Sarah Ourderkirk came to UGA as a legacy and is leaving ready for the next step in her training to become a medical doctor: My favorite professor is... Well, I have two. Karl Espelie and Sylvia Hutchinson have both walked alongside me over the course of my college career. They have taken the time to get to know me as a person…

woman with computer screen image
Focus on the faculty: Jennifer McDowell

The mysteries of the brain shape the contours of psychology professor Jennifer McDowell's research and teaching: What are your favorite courses and why? “Biologic Foundations of Behavior”— most graduate students in clinical or counseling fields have to take it, end up taking it with me, and a subset of students   always dread it. When I was new, I felt sorry that they were forced to take the class.  I have evolved.  Now I…

Man seated on a couch inside
Josh Miller wins APF's Millon Award

Professor of psychology Josh Miller was awarded the 2016 Theodore Millon Award in Personality Psychology from the American Psychological Foundation: The annual award honors an outstanding early- to mid-career psychologist engaged in advancing the science of personality psychology including the areas of personality, personality theory, personality disorders and personality measurement, according to the foundation. As director of clinical training…

MRI machine in a lab
Improving psychiatric diagnoses

A team of researchers led by faculty in psychology has identified a number of biological markers that make it possible to classify mental disorders with greater precision: The advent of modern medical diagnostic tools has made it possible to identify the hallmarks of innumerable diseases with simple, reliable tests that portray the inner workings of the body in exquisite detail—allowing doctors to pinpoint the specific cause of a patient's…

tablets, newspapers, photo
Noted and Quoted, November 2015

In new stories about history, art, climate, psychology and the environment, Franklin faculty provided key insights in media from around the world. A sample from the past month: Examining Hurricane Patricia. Marshall Shepherd, professor of atmospheric sciences, was asked if the storm’s media coverage was over-hyped. “Are you kidding me? How can you over-hype a record-shattering hurricane, packing EF-5 tornado winds, and approaching a major…

woman, campus exterior
Amazing Student Miller Singleton

Franklin College double major Miller Singleton (biology & psychology) strives to make service and study abroad the hallmarks of her UGA experience: Since my freshman year, I have volunteered as a mentor with Shop with a Bulldawg, an organization whose mission is to serve Athens by bringing joy and hope to children during the holidays. I currently volunteer with Affinis Hospice in which I have the opportunity to serve as a companion and…

woman, with man looking at instrument
Processing visual information: flicker fusion

Psychology researchers have linked sensory function to congnitive function in an interesting new study: researchers from UGA's Neuropsychology and Memory Assessment Laboratory and Vision Sciences Laboratory collaborated to use a method based on measuring processing speed through sight. Catherine Mewborn, a doctoral candidate in UGA's Franklin College of Arts and Sciences department of psychology, led the study. "We knew that sensory function is…

child in b/w with trains
How humans become tool users

Dorothy Fragaszy's sustained investigations have made her one of the world's foremost experts on tool use by capuchin monkeys and chimpanzees. A new paper from her research group provides a unique glimpse at how humans develop an ability to use tools in childhood while nonhuman primate remain only occasional tool users: Fragaszy, a psychology professor in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and director of the Primate Behavior…

mosaic of greek god
Americans and narcissistic perceptions

Americans believe we are the most narcissistic people on Earth, and we may be, though not nearly so much as we believe: Americans consistently reported a perception of the typical U.S. citizen as highly narcissistic—even meeting diagnostic criteria for the psychiatric disorder, according to studies conducted by University of Georgia psychologists in collaboration with colleagues from around the world. The reality is that fewer than one in 100…

painting of children
Targeting Empathy

Researchers in the department of psychology analyzing borderline personality disorder (BPD) have contributed something very interesting in conceptualizing the disorder's connections to empathy: "Our results showed that people with BPD traits had reduced activity in brain regions that support empathy," said the study's lead author Brian Haas, an assistant professor in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences psychology department. "This…

woman outside the coliseum
Amazing Student Lindsey Cheek

UGA gymnast and Franklin College triple major Lindsey Cheek sets the bar for "Amazing Student" somewhere out near the Gama Quadrant: I didn’t start college like the normal student. I graduated high school in December and immediately joined the gymnastics team.  When the spring semester began in January I was competing on three events when I should have been a senior in high school. During that season I was named freshman of the week once,…

man, at stadium
Amazing student: Colton Fowlkes

We talk often (and hear even more) about high school students' involvement in a range of activities beyond the classroom, and how this can make them more attractive applicants in the selective college admissions process. But what about after they are admitted and become university students? Are extra-curricular activites still important? Is having fun while you're making a difference important? Double-major in psychology and biology Colton…

signs, words
Faculty in the Media, March 2015

It's not even the end of the month and Franklin faculty (plus one venerable old building) have been in heavy rotation across a variety of media, on many of the most important issues of the day. A sample of the great work from our experts: The hidden history behind the 10 oldest college buildings in America. Hometalk.com includes UGA’s Old College in its list of “ten of the oldest hallowed hall still in use today.” Criminal records keeping men…

brain diagram
Brain Structure and Trust

Compelling new research from the department of psychology on how brain structure in people differs according to how trusting people are of others: The research may have implications for future treatments of psychological conditions such as autism, said the study's lead author Brian Haas, an assistant professor in the department of psychology. Each autism diagnosis is on a spectrum and varies, but some diagnosed with the condition exhibit…
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