Roanoke College Psychology Department

Category: Undergraduate News

  • Alumni Update: Sebastian Pena

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    “Since graduation, I have been working at different research positions at Georgetown University and the Johns Hopkins University. At Georgetown I am currently working in two positions. I am the lab manager for the Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience and Cognition in the Department of Neuroscience. In this lab I am involved in facilitating and conducting studies involving tinnitus, neuroplasticity, music, and neuroimaging (fMRI). I am also a research assistant in a lab that studies opioid addiction in the School of Nursing and Health Studies. My work in this lab includes recruitment, administering questionnaires to patients, and supporting the effort of our clinical trial.

    At Johns Hopkins I am a research program coordinator in the School of Medicine working for two doctors that study HIV and substance use disorders. I conduct interviews with patients in the hospital for a research study that is investigating how to incorporate a computerized survey as part of the regular care of our medical staff’s substance use consultation visits. I am also assisting with writing a paper about HIV medication adherence that we hope to submit for publication soon. In the next couple of months I will begin to interview patients and staff at our HIV clinic as part of a research study investigating retention.

    I plan to use all these experiences to pursue a Ph.D in neuroscience and/or to apply to medical school. Hopefully I’ll soon figure out exactly what I want my next step to be!”

    • Sebastian Pena

    Congratulations Sebastian and keep up the good work!

  • Meet the New Professors!

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    Dr. Gili Freedman                                  Dr. Janelle Gornick

    Come meet the New Professors in the Psych Department!

    Who: Dr. Gili Freedman & Dr. Janelle Gornick

    What?: The two new professors of the Psychology faculty will be talking about their research!

    When?: Monday, September 21, 7-8pm

    Where?: Life Science 502

    Why?: Get to know our new professors! Snacks! Learn cool things!

    (Plus teaser of upcoming events!)

    Sponsored by: Roanoke College Psychology Association & Psi Chi

  • RC Recognized as a Top Liberal Arts School Based on Professor Rankings

    Does the title say it all when it come to Roanoke College?   “Accessible & Approachable Professors” Check out the news article here: https://www.liberalartscolleges.com/rankings/professors/.

    There are 6 psychology professors ( 3 male, 3 female, and one staff member – our miracle working secretary) in the photo below; can you find them? The rest of those lovely faces are our students who could make it to this particular photo shoot! You have to love those GET PSYCHED shirts. They really capture our persona as a community.

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  • DR. NICHOLS’S INQ 277: EXPERIENCING VISION

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    These photos, taken by Stephanie Buturla, were a part of Dr. Nichols’s INQ 277 May term titled “Exploring Vision Through the Eye of the Lens”.

    This class utilized the digital camera as both a metaphor for the human eye and as a tool to create photographic representations of principles of human vision.  Cameras and the human eye were compared and contrasted in order to better understand both. Mechanisms of human visual perception, such as color vision, depth perception, and motion perception, were discussed in lecture format and then assignments carried out wherein students take purposeful photographs to illuminate the discussion topics.  The idea is that application through photography of principles discussed in relation to human vision, i.e. how we sense and perceive the world, may give us a better understanding of how and why the human vision system works the way it does.  Photographic expeditions were done both around campus and as part of full day trips.

  • DR. NICHOLS’S INQ 277: EXPERIENCING VISION

    277 Ghosn277 Ghosn2277 Ghosn 3

    These photos, taken by Gaby Ghosn, were a part of Dr. Nichols’s INQ 277 May term titled “Exploring Vision Through the Eye of the Lens”.

    This class utilized the digital camera as both a metaphor for the human eye and as a tool to create photographic representations of principles of human vision.  Cameras and the human eye were compared and contrasted in order to better understand both. Mechanisms of human visual perception, such as color vision, depth perception, and motion perception, were discussed in lecture format and then assignments carried out wherein students take purposeful photographs to illuminate the discussion topics.  The idea is that application through photography of principles discussed in relation to human vision, i.e. how we sense and perceive the world, may give us a better understanding of how and why the human vision system works the way it does.  Photographic expeditions were done both around campus and as part of full day trips.

  • Friday afternoon in Biological Psychology

    Clearly being in Biological Psychology class around 3 on Friday afternoon would be miserable. Just ask Cole and Karla.biopsyc class

  • Dr. Nichol’s INQ 277: Experiencing Vision

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    These photos, taken by Kristen Macquire, were a part of Dr. Nichol’s INQ 277 May term titled “Exploring Vision Through the Eye of the Lens”.

    This class utilized the digital camera as both a metaphor for the human eye and as a tool to create photographic representations of principles of human vision.  Cameras and the human eye were compared and contrasted in order to better understand both. Mechanisms of human visual perception, such as color vision, depth perception, and motion perception, were discussed in lecture format and then assignments carried out wherein students take purposeful photographs to illuminate the discussion topics.  The idea is that application through photography of principles discussed in relation to human vision, i.e. how we sense and perceive the world, may give us a better understanding of how and why the human vision system works the way it does.  Photographic expeditions were done both around campus and as part of full day trips.

  • The Princeton Review’s Best 380 Colleges

    roanokecollegeSalem, Va. – The Princeton Review has named Roanoke College one of the best colleges in the United States for the fifth year in a row. In addition, Roanoke was named a great school for students who major in business/finance, computer science and psychology.

    According to the Princeton Review survey, students say Roanoke has great career services, a great library and happy students.

    “Princeton Review is a student voice among the rating systems,” Roanoke College President Michael Maxey said.   “We are excited that the voices of students at Roanoke praise our balance of ‘comfort and challenge.’  We help students find what they love to do through equal measures of support and challenge.”

    “Every college in our book has outstanding academics,” said Robert Franek, Princeton Review’s senior vice president-publisher. “Our goal is to help applicants choose and get into their dream college—the college best for them.”

     Follow Roanoke College on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For additional information, call the Roanoke College Public Relations Office at (540) 375-2282.

    Members of the media, please note the new location of Roanoke College news on the new Roanoke.edu site: Roanoke.edu/about/news.

  • Coleen Weber Briggs in a School Counseling program

    ColeenColeen (Weber) Briggs B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience, class of 2013, has started graduate work in a Masters of School Counseling program at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC. Coleen aspires to complete her program in May 2017 with a 4.0 GPA average with the goal of eventually completing a Ph.D in either Developmental Psychology or Neuroscience.
    “I enjoy psychology both from a scientific and social standpoint, primarily because it has allowed me to understand my own personal needs and the needs of those around me with greater clarity. Further, my studies in both psychology and neuroscience have given me the tools necessary to handle crises and to better work with the public. It is my hope that I can utilize my skills first in a school setting as a counselor, then in the future as a school psychologist or a neurological specialist. I encourage any students who view the psychology field from a scientific perspective to take advantage of the neuroscience program.”
    Coleen took advantage of a couple of years off to explore her interests and talents, and it paid off. Not everyone has to go to graduate school right out of undergraduate.

    Good work Coleen!  We are proud of you.

  • Spencer Munro set to finish summer-long Journey of Hope ride.

    11063844_10154081984813989_3052889282999895110_nWe’ll let Spencer,BA in Psychology class of 2014, describe it himself: “Journey of Hope is a cross country cycling trip across three different routes that raise money and awareness for people with disabilities. This event is one of many hosted by Pi Kappa Phi’s philanthropy, The Ability Experience. I worked as the Logistics Coordinator for the South Route of Journey of Hope where I was in charge of organizing the entirety of the trip and overseeing the safety of the team of thirty-six. Daily, we would meet with organizations that worked with people with different ability backgrounds. These “friendship visits” would serve as not only our inspiration to continue on the trip after hard days but as opportunities for us to create amazing memories with equally amazing individuals.
    My educational pursuit was fueled by my passion to find a career where I can serve others. My time at Roanoke College benefited me greatly with my post graduate internship with The Ability Experience. Firstly, my research skills that I got from seminar allowed me to research and recruit several new organizational sponsors allowing for dozens of new first time visits. Secondly, my understanding of physical and developmental disorders allowed me to educate the cyclists so we could gain a stronger empathy to the many individuals we met.
    I wish I could explain just how exactly incredible this summer has been. Every day on this trip was filled with memories I’ll cherish forever. Seeing the smiles on the client’s faces during baseball games, karaoke sessions, pool parties and all of the other events made every hardship seem so insignificant. I’m forever grateful for this opportunity that was available to me because of my time at Roanoke College.”

    We are proud of you, Spencer!