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

By Allison Jones 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 11, 2025) — The University of Kentucky’s Substance Use Priority Research Area (SUPRA) will host the Rising Stars Symposium to showcase innovative research and new findings on substance use disorders.

The symposium will be 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in room 150 of the Healthy Kentucky Research Building. Registration for the symposium is online.

The symposium also allows invited researchers to examine the various programs in the

By Meredith Weber and Steve Shaffer 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 5, 2025) — Through nominations and testimonials, the UK Alumni Association’s Great Teacher Award honors educators who inspire, challenge and support their students. 

Established in 1961, the Great Teacher Award is UK’s longest-running award recognizing teaching. To receive the award, educators must first be nominated by a student with final selections made by the UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Award Committee in collaboration with the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa. This year, six exceptional educators have been

By Beckman Foundation 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 24, 2025) — Growing up in Lexington, Kaitlyn Brock’s earliest exposure to research came from her stepmom, who was a student at the University of Kentucky participating in biology research. Now Brock and one of her four younger siblings attend UK. 

In 2022, the University of Kentucky was named a Beckman Scholars Program awardee. As one of just 14 institutions to receive the award, UK received funding support six scholar-mentor pairs over a three-year period. The Beckman Scholars Program provides

By Richard LeComte

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Children may get on their parents’ nerves, but this new book helps kids understand how those nerves work. 

University of Kentucky professor Chana Akins, Ph.D., and former doctoral student Beth Ann Rice have written “

By Lindsey Piercy and Manuela Blanco Suarez

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 30, 2024) — Christal Badour, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky, has been honored as the 2024 Psychologist of the Year by the Kentucky Psychological Association.

The association, which advances psychology as

By Jesi Jones-Bowman 

LEXINGTON, Ky (Oct. 10, 2024) — The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research has selected 15 undergraduates for the 2024-25 Undergraduate Research Ambassador program.

The program’s mission is to increase awareness and create opportunities for students to  engage in research. Ambassadors must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and be involved in mentored research. This year’s ambassadors represent four colleges, nine disciplines and 10 research areas.

The student leaders’ goal is to make undergraduate research more accessible. Ambassadors promote undergraduate research involvement through