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Fall 2023 Newsletter

Learn about the latest alumni, student, and faculty news in our Fall 2023 Newsletter!

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Highlights include:

  • Restoring Employee Health and Safety by Applying Occupational Health Psychology
  • Historical Psychology Illuminates New Perspectives on Morality
  • How Children's Mental Health and Family Mechanisms are Influenced by Intimate Partner Violence
  • Upcoming Event: PBS Open House
  • Alumni Spotlights

Appointment of Dr. Jennifer McDermott as Interim Rudd Family Foundation Chair in Psychology

Jen McDermottThe Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at UMass Amherst is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Martin McDermott as Interim Rudd Family Foundation Chair in Psychology, effective September 1, 2023. During her term as Interim Rudd Chair, Dr. McDermott will provide leadership for Rudd programming, including organizing the Rudd Visiting Professorship program and facilitating interdisciplinary working groups to tackle pressing adoption related issues, and collaborate with scholars and practitioners to inform policy efforts to support adopted children and their families.

Understanding Change in How People of Color Respond to Narratives of Rising Diversity

 Linda Tropp (Psychological & Brain Sciences), Tatishe Nteta (Political Science), Seth Goldman (Communication).
From left: Linda Tropp (Psychological & Brain Sciences), Tatishe Nteta (Political Science), Seth Goldman (Communication).

Linda Tropp is member of a research team that recently received a new grant award from the Russell Sage Foundation, entitled "How People of Color Respond to Narratives of Rising Diversity." Seth Goldman (UMass Communication) is the Primary Investigator (PI), and Linda Tropp (UMass Psychological and Brain Sciences) is a co-investigator along with Tatishe Nteta (UMass Political Science), Yuen Huo (UCLA Psychology), and Efren Perez (UCLA Political Science).

PBS Welcomes Elizabth Curry as Office Manager of Psychological Services Center

Elizabeth CurryElizabeth has worked in the medical field as a Registered Medical Assistant, employed at many exceptional hospitals and outpatient facilities. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration from UMass Amherst and has since moved into HR/non-clinical work.

Welcome Elizabeth!

Christina Metevier Appointed Associate Provost for Academic Programs at the UMass Mount Ida Campus

Christina Metevier
Christina Metevier

Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Christina Metevier, Senior Lecturer II in Psychological and Brain Sciences (PBS), to the new position of Associate Provost for Academic Programs at the UMass Mount Ida Campus. This appointment is effective September 3, and is the culmination of an internal search that launched in April, 2023.

How Children's Mental Health and Family Mechanisms are Influenced by Intimate Partner Violence

family with children walk across bridge

A recent study explored different parenting mechanisms present in families where Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is occurring. The researchers wanted to see how parenting practices (warmth, overreactivity, and laxness) and parental depression affected children’s mental health. Child temperament was also taken into consideration to see if it influenced outcomes relating to IPV exposure.

Historical Psychology Illuminates New Perspectives on Morality

PBS Welcomes New Assistant Professor

Mohammad Atari
Mohammad Atari

Mohammad Atari, who joined the Psychological and Brain Sciences faculty in fall 2023, is uncovering what factors influence how psychology changes across historical time and cultural space. Along with his colleagues at Harvard University, he has developed the emerging field of historical psychology. Researchers in this area are trying to understand why psychology theory, social influences, and practice continue to change as time progresses.

Restoring Employee Health and Safety by Applying Occupational Health Psychology

Alumni Profile: Rebecca Brossoit ’15 PhD

Rebecca Brossoit '15 PhD
Rebecca Brossoit '15 PhD

Through experiencing and observing the significant impact that workplace environments can have on employee’s health and well-being, Rebecca Brossoit ’15 PhD became interested in resolving problems in demanding work settings. Stress at work, safety concerns, long hours, and varying schedules can all take a toll on our mental and physical health, also leading to more stress at home. As an assistant professor at Louisiana State University (LSU) in the Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology Program, Brossoit strives to improve the lives of employees at work and set them on a path to better health. Within the specialty of Occupational Health Psychology (OHP), she applies research to real-world settings, promoting positive change in the workplace.  

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