UTRGV Department of Psychological Science

🎉 Exciting news from UTRGV Department of Psychological Science!
Dr. Cecilia Montiel-Nava and her team have been awarded $650,088 from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's Autism Grant Program to expand access to autism support services in the Rio Grande Valley.

The project, "Comparative Delivery Model of Skills Training for Diverse Populations," will evaluate scalable delivery formats of the WHO's Caregiver Skills Training (CST) — a free, evidence-based program that helps parents and caregivers support children ages 2–9 with autism spectrum disorder or developmental concerns in everyday settings.

The RGV is a predominantly Latino, Spanish-speaking, and underserved region, and this project builds on our team's prior work culturally and linguistically adapting the CST program for Spanish-speaking families. The research will run through March 2028.

Congratulations to Dr. Montiel-Nava and co-investigators Drs. Valeria Yllades, Maria Montenegro, Christelle Garza, and Valerie Neeley! 👏

Today’s the day, Vaqueros 🎓 Join us at the UTRGV Grad Fair in Edinburg UREC today from 4:00–6:30 PM and take the next step toward your future.

Stop by the Psychology Department table to learn more about our graduate opportunities:
• Clinical Psychology MA
• Experimental Psychology MA
• ABA Certificate
• Clinical Psychology PhD

Meet faculty, explore funding options, and get guidance on your application—all in one place.

Plus, attend for a chance to win a $500 scholarship and grab a free t-shirt (while supplies last).

We hope to see you there 👏

Present your project at the Inside Psychology Student Research Showcase 🧠

Have a past class project you are proud of that has been collecting dust? This is your opportunity to bring it back and share it. Students are invited to present current or past work in any format, including posters, talks, or creative projects. All psychology topics are welcome.

Not presenting? You are still invited to attend and support your peers 🤝 Come learn, connect, and get inspired.

Tuesday, May 12
10:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Edinburg Ballroom

Scan the QR code on the flyer or go to https://tinyurl.com/insidepsychologyshowcase to sign up.

Follow for more events and opportunities.

Last week, Dr. Joseph Dunsmoor from the University of Texas at Austin visited our department to share his research on fear and safety in the human brain. We appreciate the opportunity for our students and faculty to learn from his work and engage in meaningful discussion.

Follow to stay updated on future talks, events, and opportunities. 🌟

🐾ABMSS 2026: Where Animal Behavior Meets Social Science!🐾
Join us for an exciting afternoon of 🧠 behavior, 🦍 animal welfare, and 💬 real-world applications through research, creativity, and collaboration!

🎤 Keynote Speaker: Dr. Michele Johnson, Trinity University
🦎 Evolutionary biologist studying social behavior in lizards
🔬 Director of the Lizards and Friends Lab
🌿 Research integrates fieldwork, genetics, hormones, and behavior

🦁 Gladys Porter Zoo Panel 🐒
Featuring Dr. Valerie James-Aldridge, Curator of Behavior Research
✨ Learn how behavioral research supports animal care & welfare
💬 Audience Q&A included!

🎓 Student & Faculty Presentations
Explore a wide range of animal-related topics:
🐒 Behavior & welfare
🦓 Zoo management & conservation
✍️ Science writing & communication
🌿 Interdisciplinary perspectives

🎨 Networking Break + Art Showcase
🍴 Enjoy complimentary snacks while connecting with others and exploring the Entomology Student Art Showcase
🪲 Presented by: Dr. Matthew Terry (Department of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences)

📅 April 22, 2026
🕒 1:00–5:35 PM
📍 UTRGV Brownsville – Salon Cassia (BMAIN 2.402)
💻 Zoom Link: https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/6292715539?pwd=Z2l6dkwreU01NjdoZkI2NGJMNmdGUT09

🌟 Come learn, connect, & be inspired at the intersection of science, creativity, and animal behavior! 🌍❤️🐾

Join us for an upcoming Colloquium Speaker event featuring Dr. Joseph Dunsmoor from the University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Dunsmoor will present “Divided Organization of Fear and Safety in the Human Brain,” exploring how emotion and cognition interact and how the brain processes fear, safety, and memory.

📅 Friday, April 17, 2026
⏰ 2:00–3:00 PM (please arrive before 2 PM)
📍 ESTUN 2.406, Sage Room

This is a great opportunity to learn about cutting-edge neuroscience research and its implications for understanding mental health.

Free entry. Open to all students and faculty.

Interested in how mental health and the justice system intersect? This event is for you!

Join a powerful panel with NAMI STRGV focused on the connection between mental health and the criminal justice system. Learn how law enforcement, mental health professionals, and community agencies work together to support individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

Hear directly from Mental Health Units, social workers, and professionals in the field as they share real-world insights, challenges, and evolving practices aimed at improving outcomes and community relationships.

This is a valuable opportunity to deepen your understanding, ask questions, and connect what you’re learning to real-world impact.

🗓️ Event Details:
Friday, March 27, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
UTRGV Center for Innovation and Commercialization (CIC), Weslaco, TX

RSVP using this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1a0ETzGmaNslsgWw5v9KynED7ZXtrLSFFk1qvbi9ZkJoLzg/viewform

For questions or accommodations contact NAMI STRGV volunteer Outreach
Coordinator at [email protected]

We hope to see you there 🤝