A new academic year brings fresh energy, new ideas, and exciting opportunities for learning and discovery. We are excited to share the great news that Psychological and Brain Sciences at UMass Amherst has been ranked #33 in the country for Psychology programs according to US News and World Report! This means in just one year we have moved up nine spots, in no small part based upon the hard work of our faculty and staff, and the support of our current students and Alumni. Way to go!
This fall, we’re thrilled to welcome several new faculty members whose work spans our department’s diverse research and teaching mission. Drs. Lauren Aulet, Kelsey Canada, and Daniel Coppersmith join us as Assistant Professors, bringing expertise in cognition, development, and clinical psychology. Their innovative approaches include neuroimaging, wearable tech, and smartphone-based tools to study brain and behavior across the lifespan. We also welcome Dr. Jeremy Spool as a Lecturer in Neuroscience. His work on the neuroscience of social interaction will enrich our undergraduate teaching.
Additionally, we are honored to have Dr. Elsbeth Neil join us as the Rudd Foundation Chair in Psychology and Director of the Rudd Center for Adoption Research. A world-renowned scholar, Dr. Neil’s research bridges psychological theory, social policy, and practice, with a focus on resilience and recovery in the context of adoption.
Finally, we’re proud to announce the launch of our new Neuroscience Major, developed with our Neuroscience colleagues in the Department of Biology. This program offers students a dynamic mix of coursework and experiential research opportunities, including the chance to pursue independent projects, not only in PBS and Biology, but also in Neuroscience labs across campus.
We look forward to a semester filled with growth, collaboration, and discovery. Here's to a great start! Also, we want to hear back from our amazing Alumni, so please do keep in touch, and thank you for your continued support!
Warm regards,
Ilia Karatsoreos
Chair, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences