| Student | Award | Faculty/Grad Mentor |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Alwan | Overall Outstanding Senior | Martins-Klein |
| Noah Miranda | Overall Outstanding Senior | Spencer |
| Deanna Ferrante | Overall Outstanding Senior | Woodman |
| Andrea Schlesinger | Overall Outstanding Senior | Rahhal |
| Sophie Jackson | Outstanding Thesis | Moorman |
| Sirisha Nouduri | Outstanding Thesis | Richardson |
| Kathleen Codair | Outstanding Thesis | Perry-Jenkins |
| Angela Mirisola | Outstanding Thesis | Grabell |
| Mary Kate Deighan | Outstanding Thesis | Spencer |
| Alessandra Chicos | Outstanding Internship | Woodman |
| Kate Schacterle | RA Appreciation | Grabell |
| Fiona Sleight | RA Appreciation | Isbell |
| Adrelys Mateo Santana | RA Appreciation | Grabell |
| Serene Elbach | RA Appreciation | Staub |
| Sarena Santos | RA Appreciation | Spencer |
| Olivia Comeau | RA Appreciation | Zaleznik |
| Casey Phillips | TA Appreciation | Metevier |
| Cassidy Chapman | TA Appreciation | Astheimer |
| Yashika Issrani | TA Appreciation | Burrows |
Academic Excellence Awards:
Elizabeth Alwan, Edith Benedict, Olivia Comeau, Mary Deighan, Josheph McGuann, Jeremy Quercia, Katherine Schacterle, Yuran Tsuchida, and Kayla Winshman
Hear what some of our senior award winners had to say about their UMass experience:
Alessandra Chicos
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
My experiences in the PBS department opened my eyes to so many new opportunities. When I first came to UMass I did not know where I wanted to go with my major, but the classes offered along with the amazing PBS staff, helped me determine what I am truly interested in. There are endless opportunities for students to take advantage of in the department, which pushes us to find a more direct path towards our future.
What is your biggest takeaway from UMass?
UMass has taught me that with hard work, dedication, and a support system you can achieve anything. My junior year was tough for me, as I started to realize I was uninterested in the direction I was going with my Psychology degree. I was confused and became unmotivated to find what interested me; I thought it was too late. However, I was accepted into the Developmental Disabilities and Human Services (DDHS) program around this time. As soon as I began the course work, I quickly realized that this program was exactly what I needed to rid the confusion. UMass has an abundance of programs, majors, and clubs which makes it so easy for students to find a support system and topic(s) of interest that promote dedication and hard work.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
After UMass I plan to enter into an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in the Boston area. I hope that with my certificate from the DDHS program, I am able to work as a nurse for children with developmental disabilities.
Serene Elbach
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
My experiences in the PBS department have been overwhelmingly positive and influential in shaping the person I am today. I am very happy that I declared my major as Psychology as an incoming freshman 4 years ago - the PBS faculty here have pushed me to get involved in research, to challenge myself academically and to grow confidence in my skills as a student. Our advising department is incredible and I always know I'm in good hands, no matter which advisor I may be seeing that day!
What is your biggest takeaway from UMass?
The faculty at UMass are dedicated to our success and truly care about our wellbeing as students. I will never forget the people who have supported me throughout undergrad, including my PI, advisors, professors and graduate students in my lab - thank you!
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
I will be pursuing dentistry after UMass and I hope to use the skills I've attained from undergrad to succeed in this endeavor. After dental school, I hope to serve underprivileged populations in the Middle East.
Andrea Schlesinger
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
My roles in the department include being a Peer Advisor, Peer Mentor, Teacher’s Assistant, Research Assistant, and Student Representative on the PBS Executive Committee. These experiences have enhanced my ability to communicate in a direct, professional, and positive manner with fellow students and faculty. I have also gained a strong set of leadership skills through these roles that I will carry with me to my next steps.
What is your biggest takeaway from UMass?
My biggest takeaway from UMass is that you have to be a strong advocate for yourself and that you should never be afraid to ask for help along the way. I learned that professors, advisors, and other faculty are resources that are meant to be tapped into and utilized as they are always there to help you.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
I plan to go on to get my PhD in Clinical Psychology specializing in children.
Sirisha Nouduri
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences provided a unique opportunity for me to explore conceptual ideas that I have learned in my classes. Gaining these experiences have intensified my curiosity to continue studying neurobiology.
What is your biggest takeaway from UMass?
My biggest takeaway from UMass is to be open-minded and try new things . UMass has such a diverse array of endless possibilities waiting to be explored! Being able to step outside our comfort zone to try something new can help widen our perspective.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
After graduation, I plan to continue neurobiology research and gain clinical experiences in a hospital setting, before applying to graduate school in the fall.
Fiona Sleight
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
Despite being in one of the larger departments on campus, the faculty and graduate students in the psychological and brain sciences department are incredibly accessible and friendly. I would say this ethos in the department proved most important for my academic and personal development.
What is your biggest takeaway from UMass?
If you show up and work hard, people are willing to give you fantastic opportunities to learn and develop.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
I am excited to be starting graduate school in the fall at Binghamton University in their Clinical Science Ph.D. program. I will be joining the Cognition, Consciousness, and Psychopathology Lab under Dr. Steven Lynn.
Deanna Ferrante
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences instilled in me the importance of empathy and critical thinking. With a better understanding of human behavior, I am able to more effectively serve underrepresented populations.
What is your biggest takeaway from UMass?
My biggest takeaway from UMass is that big ideas become reality if you work hard and persevere.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
After graduation, I will be starting my professional career as a Human Resources Analyst at BlackRock. In the future, I hope to pursue an industrial-organizational psychology graduate program.
Kate Schacterle
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
The department of Psychological and Brain Sciences has helped me grow as a student, researcher, and leader. I look forward to using the skills I have developed from many incredible experiences and mentors to pursue a career in the field of mental health.
What is your biggest takeaway from UMass?
My biggest takeaway from my time at UMass is learning that I’m never alone in my experiences. Whether it’s a friend, peer, professor, or mentor, there is always someone to support you at UMass.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
I will be attending Case Western Reserve University to pursue a Master’s in Social Work.
Lizzie Alwan
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
I was lucky enough to be an RA in a psychology lab, the Neural Vitality Lab, directed by Bruna Martins-Klein. In the lab I gained numerous skills, but most importantly gained independence and creativity in my thinking about the research process.
What is your biggest takeaway from UMass?
My biggest takeaway is to believe in myself and believe that the skills and knowledge I learned at UMass will carry me into the next phase of my career.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
I will be sticking around UMass for another year as a lab manager in the PBS department for the Neural Vitality Lab. After that, I'm hoping to get a Master's degree, and then move on to a Clinical Psychology PhD program.
Olivia Comeau
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
I learned that I love research through the experience of completing my honors thesis in the Cognitive and Developmental Neuroscience lab with Dr. Joon Park and PhD candidate Eli Zaleznik. Seeing the process from start to finish has been a wonderful experience and confirmed that I want to incorporate research into my career.
What is your biggest takeaway from UMass?
My 4 years at UMass taught me about the importance of creating connection and community. I've also learned a lot about living sustainably and engaging in conversation with those who hold different perspectives.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
I will be working as a clinical research assistant at the MS Center in the neurology department at Brigham and Women's Hospital. I plan to apply to medical school and pursue clinical research in neurology or psychiatry.
Kathleen Codair
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
Being an undergraduate teaching assistant in different psychology courses, research assistant in The Work and Family Transitions Project, and learning from various professors in PBS has shaped me to be a critically thinking and conscientious aspiring researcher.
What is your biggest takeaway from UMass?
My biggest takeaway from UMass is the relationships I’ve made with my peers and faculty that I cherish deeply.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
I look to one day obtain my doctorate in clinical psychology after UMass, but for the time being, I am actively pursuing research assistant positions in clinical psychology labs.
Noah Miranda
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
Being a part of the PBS family has provided me with the greatest support system possible. It is through this support, especially from my time in the Somneuro Lab, that I have been able to grow both into the person I am today.
What is your biggest takeaway from UMass?
My biggest takeaway through my UMass experience has been if there is something you want to pursue, never give up even when it seems like an impossible dream. Things can surprise you.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
After I graduate this May, I will be working as a Clinical Research Coordinator and preparing to apply to medical school the following year.
Casey Phillips
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
My time in the psychology department at the University of Massachusetts has given me invaluable experiences working with practiced, knowledgeable professors; I have learned hands-on how to apply these concepts and studies to real-world jobs and appreciate their place in the world.
What is your biggest takeaway from UMass?
The biggest takeaway from my time at the University of Massachusetts would be: ask questions! I have benefitted incredibly from being more willing to ask questions and talk to my professors.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
I will be taking a year of professional development for myself; I plan to work and gain on-the-job experience in my chosen field. I am excited to begin a career where I will have opportunities to work with and help people in my community, wherever that may be.