By Madeline Wilkinson

Dr. Angel Armenta is an assistant professor and faculty advisor of the Psychology Student Association at the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology.

Psychology wasn't always Armenta's focus. As an undergraduate at California State University, Bakersfield, Armenta started as a nursing major, then switched to psychology, but quickly changed to business, followed by economics, computer science, biology and finally psychology again. Armenta said he views college as a time for students to explore their interests and identity and identify careers that fit their skill set.

His decision to focus on psychology came during a social psychology class taught by a professor who researched LGBTQ+ issues–a professor whom Armenta is still in contact with today. As a gay, Latino, Chicano man, Armenta connected with the subject matter, having

By Kat Brown

How do we help ensure that people get what they need? This is the overarching question that Maisy Webster is trying to help answer.

Webster is a current graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Kentucky, where her research interests are shaped by her background as a double major in psychology and public health. That interdisciplinary foundation, she emphasized, has informed how she views psychology and how we can better patient experiences at both the individual and systemic levels.

Much of that work centers on cancer care. As part of her research at UK, Webster explores how patients surviving cancer can access care that improves their quality of life and decreases chances of recurrence. A recent project under Jessica Burris in the Behavioral Interventions to Reduce Disparities in Smoking lab focused on how

By Matthew Smaldone

The University of Kentucky is continually growing. Whether that be new dorms, classrooms or programs, something is always in the works. An exciting new development within the psychology department at UK is the construction of the External Advisory Board, or EAB. The EAB is a committee of successful psychology professionals working to aid and engage students currently at UK through post-graduation.

Ursula Mullins, a former UK student, explained what her experience was like at UK and how her education there prepared her for her career while making her a valuable member of the EAB. Mullins acquired both her master's and Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky and now works in psychological research. While studying at UK, Mullins participated in a variety of research studies with the Center for Drug and Alcohol Research and the Center for Drug and Alcohol

By Sameeha Islam

For seniors Leah Russell and Isabella Higgins, psychology has been more than just a shared major; it's been the foundation of a friendship shaped by growth, exploration and individuality. From their early days in the Psychology Scholars to studying abroad and preparing to graduate a year early, their journeys have often overlapped. Still, what makes their story stand out is how each has carved out a distinct path within the same field.

Both Russell and Higgins were part of Psychology Scholars, a small, tight-knit cohort that allowed them to move through core classes together. What started as a shared academic experience quickly turned into something more meaningful. Reflecting on that time, Russell described it simply, "It's been my favorite part." Surrounded by a supportive group of peers, the two built strong connections that extended far beyond the

By Kae Schmidt

Emma Abraham is a first-year undergraduate student at the University of Kentucky, majoring in psychology and minoring in human development and family science. She is also a social media intern for the Psychology Department. While she has only been in her position for a short while, she praises the many opportunities she has been given to meet new people and build connections. This is the first time the Psychology Department at the University of Kentucky has had a social media intern. She described her position as being quite like a test run.

"The freedom of this internship comes with its independence" she said, something she enjoys and hopes to build on.

In high school, Abraham was a social chair for an organization where she worked in social media and marketing. When she arrived at the University of Kentucky, she was drawn by the welcoming

By Ariel Arthur 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 9, 2026) —  The University of Kentucky’s Center for Health, Engagement and Transformation (CHET) awarded pilot funding to three doctoral students to support research projects focused on improving the health of a population of high need.

CHET’s 2025 Doctoral Student Pilot Grants were awarded to Zachary Siegel, Abigail Moore and Thilini Samadhi Weeraratne.

Since 2023, CHET has funded doctoral student pilot grants to support projects and develop job market competitiveness for emerging health disparity researchers. Students in any college whose research focuses on reducing health disparities are eligible for 12-month awards of $5,000-$10,000.

Written by: Kat Brown

Pooja Sidney, Ph.D., is trying to answer the question: How can we help students learn math? One simple idea for helping students has turned into a blossoming research-based community partnership with Lexington schools. 

A cognitive developmental psychologist and associate professor at University of Kentucky, Pooja Sidney, Ph.D. researches how children and adults learn in academic settings. She focuses on improving students’ mathematical problem-solving and examining students’ attitudes toward mathematics. 

Within her research lab, the questions she explores are often driven by the motivation of the lab members, both graduate and undergraduate students. For example, one student in Sidney’s lab who is interested in the medicine-related decision-making is exploring how graphs

Study Abroad Meets Psychology -- An Opportunity Not to be Missed

By Madeline Wilkinson

Going to the University of Kentucky, we often see a variety of cultures around campus. Whether it’s the flags on the side of Bradley Hall, passing by the International Center, or attending the Education Abroad Fair every semester and hoping to get your name called for an all-expenses-covered trip to another country, there’s always something new to experience. Even if you don’t win, there are plenty of education abroad programs for every major— especially psychology.

The Psychology Department at the University of Kentucky has several faculty and professors who are more than willing to help psychology majors on their journeys. Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala, one of UK’s many influential psychology professors, shared her experience with

This month, we sat down for an in-depth interview with up-and-coming researcher and current graduate student in psychology, Abigail Moore, to discuss her pivotal work in community research. 

Written by Kat Brown

Abigail Moore is currently a 3rd year graduate student at the University of Kentucky in the Developmental, Social, and Health (DSH) Experimental Psychology PhD program. She previously earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and, having recently celebrated the successful defense of her master’s thesis, Abigail is now working towards her PhD under the direction of Dr. Rachel Farr and Dr. Jenn Hunt. She has spent her graduate career studying how families have difficult conversations and how juries make challenging decisions, with her master’s focusing on the strategies used during, and the

By Richard LeComte 

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Research accounts published in popular journals help to get information out to the public, particularly when the research explores under-examined areas of women’s health. So Michelle Martel jumped at the chance to see her research on how menstrual cycles affect ADHD symptoms written up in Scientific American magazine. 

“I personally was excited about it, because I have a big emphasis on disseminating my work,” said Martel, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Psychology in the University of Kentucky’s College of Arts and Sciences. “My experience with Scientific American was really good; they sent me preprints and like ran everything by me to make sure that it was all accurate. I appreciated that.” 

The article by Kelso Harper, “

Interview conducted by: Annaliese Clayton

What year did you graduate from UK?

I graduated from UK with my undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2001.  I went on to the UK College of Law and graduated in 2004 with a JD. 

What were you involved in during your time in the UK PSY Department?

 While in undergrad I was involved in the University Honors Program, Delta Zeta, and the Psychology Honors Program.  I don’t know if it is still called the honors program, but it was the undergraduate research thesis in the psychology department then.  

Did you feel nervous thinking about the future as an undergrad? 

Of course I was nervous about the future as an undergraduate!  I thought I wanted to go to law school, but I also really enjoyed

Interview conducted by: Annaliese Clayton

What year did you graduate from UK?

I graduated in 2019 from the Experimental Psychology Graduate Program (2014-2019).

What were you involved in during your time in the UK PSY Department?

I conducted research on the development of medications for substance use disorders using human laboratory methods. At the departmental level, I helped coordinate the brown bag series, served as the Behavioral Neuroscience Representative on the University of Kentucky Department of Psychology Graduate Student Executive Committee, and was a member of the 100th Anniversary Planning Committee.

Did you feel nervous thinking about the future as an undergrad? 

Of course! I think feeling nervous about the future while in undergrad is a

Interview conducted by: Annaliese Clayton

What year did you graduate from UK? 

I graduated in 2018 with a dual degree in Psychology and Political Science with minors in Neuroscience and Biology.  

What were you involved in during your time in the UK PSY Department? 

I did and experienced so much during my time at UK that’s fun to reflect on now, including leadership positions in the Student Government Association (SGA), DanceBlue, FUSION, Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, the Student Activities Board, Society for the Promotion of Undergraduate Research (SPUR), and the Pre-Medical Activities Council.  

I was also a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, served on the University Dining Advisory Council, participated in the Healthcare Residential Living

By Natasha Collinson

[Natasha] To start, could you share a bit about your background in psychology? Were there any formative experiences early in your life that sparked your interest in the field? And what ultimately inspired you to pursue a career in academia and research?

[Dr. Kim] As a freshman at NYU, I needed to find a work-study job, and I found one in the Department of Applied Psychology. I had no prior interest in psychology; I just needed the money (because, you know, NYC). At first, I was doing mundane office work, but I really liked the general vibes and the people I worked with. That sparked my curiosity about the research itself, which helped me to develop an interest in psychological science!

[Natasha] How would you describe your teaching philosophy, and how has

By Madeline Wilkinson

It’s something we see every day on social media platforms like Snapchat or Instagram, or an orange flyer taped to every doorway in the UK dorms. Maybe you even know someone who’s been personally affected. You might be wondering what I’m talking about—or maybe you already know. It’s called sexual violence, and it’s far more prevalent than we tend to realize.

So, if it’s such a common occurrence, why do we act so indifferent toward it?

To explore this, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Christal Lynn Badour Hirsch, a remarkable member of UK’s Psychology Department. Dr. Badour gave a phenomenal TEDx Talk where she dove

By Kat Brown 

Eric Ingram, winner of the 2025-2026 Presidential Graduate Fellowship, sat down to talk to us about his academic journey, clinical practice, and how fellowships support the quality of research and academia.

A current fourth year Ph.D. student in clinical psychology, Eric Ingram is a part of a select group of young scholars researching the wide-ranging consequences of and treatments for traumatic brain injuries. After earning an undergraduate degree at Brown University, Eric has continued his education at University of Kentucky with a specialization in neuroscience under the mentorship of Dr. Justin Karr, and with the noted support of UK researchers Dr. Michelle Martel and Dr. Jessica Burris.

Motivated by a desire to engage directly with the impacted community, Eric has served many hours across practicum sites in

By Robby Hardesty 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 5, 2025) — University of Kentucky Libraries staff members have reognized junior Gabriel Portugal and senior Avery Schanbacher, students in the College of Arts and Sciences,  with the 2025 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Scholarship. The annual prize honors exceptional and original scholarship in a traditional paper and a media or digital project, and is given to students whose research makes substantive and creative use of UK Libraries’ collections, services and resources.

As Dean’s Award recipients, Portugal and Schanbacher each will receive a $1

By Francis Von Mann
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 21, 2025) — As a first-generation college student, Ryson Neeley didn’t know what to expect from a place as big as the University of Kentucky. What he found in the College of Arts and Sciences is a community that believed in him, one that helped him become a future doctor.

That discovery came in an unassuming conference room.

Neeley was set on going to a different college before an Arts and Sciences information session. But after listening to faculty members and a student ambassador share their passion and experience, he changed his mind.

“I remember talking to them and seeing how much they cared about their students and how involved they were,” Neeley said. “That’s why I chose to come here.”

Neeley

By Richard LeComte 

LEXINGTON, Ky. — First-generation University of Kentucky student Kennedy Fitzpatrick grew up knowing the value of education, thanks to her supportive mother.  

 “Education was always a big deal in my household,” said Fitzpatrick, who’s earning a dual degree in psychology and U.S. culture and business practices with a minor in business on the pre-law track in UK’s College of Arts and Sciences. “My mom made sure that we knew it was very important for my sister and I, so I’ve always had a deep desire and determination to learn.” 

Fitzpatrick is from Louisville; she went to Louisville Male High School for two years and finished at Ballard High School. Her interest in psychology developed when she took an AP class in the subject. She sees the major as a path to law school. 

By Lindsey Piercy 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 31, 2025) — Mark Fillmore, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky, is serving as the 2024-25 College of Arts and Sciences’ distinguished professor and will deliver the annual Distinguished Professor Lecture on Wednesday, April 9.

This honor is bestowed on the basis of three criteria: outstanding research, unusually effective teaching and distinguished professional service.

Throughout his time at UK, Fillmore has established himself as a renowned