Dr. Zinger

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Dr. Zinger I am a Teaching Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at the University of California

Congratulations to UCI Psychology Post-Bacc student Sammy Gomez, who recently presented a poster at the Society for Rese...
10/13/2026

Congratulations to UCI Psychology Post-Bacc student Sammy Gomez, who recently presented a poster at the Society for Research in Psychopathology! Below, he is pictured with his research mentor, UCI Psychology Professor Jason Schiffman, who stopped by his poster during the conference.

A little bit about Sammy: Sammy attended Irvine Valley College before transferring to Arizona State University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology as a first-generation college student. During his undergraduate studies, Sammy joined the Adolescent Stress & Emotion Lab (ASAE) led by Dr. Leah Doane and the Cactus Lab led by Dr. Rick Cruz, and he later become a study interviewer on a nationwide CDC grant-funded project studying community health disparities. Moreover, Sammy presented two independent projects at the 2023 Arizona Psychological Association Conference and the 2024 Western Psychological Association Conference. After returning home to California, Sammy began working as a child advocate with the Child Abuse Services Team. As a post-bacc student, Sammy has been working in Dr. Jason Schiffman’s PREVENT Lab, which is dedicated to providing meaningful research on psychosis-risk evaluation, intervention, and treatment. Sammy’s ultimate goal is to address stigma toward mental health issues and to study psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia, through a cultural lens in order to provide inclusive services to underrepresented communities. After completion of the post-bacc program, he plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and primarily work with child/adolescent populations.

Great job, Sammy!

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM! One Week Left to Find Your Mentor with Society for Personality & Social Psychology (SPSP) Pathways!...
10/13/2026

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM! One Week Left to Find Your Mentor with Society for Personality & Social Psychology (SPSP) Pathways!

Become an SPSP Pathways Mentee: SPSP is excited to introduce the Pathways Mentoring Program, a new member benefit designed to connect SPSP members across career stages with fellow personality and social psychologists for meaningful mentoring relationships.

And they're looking for our first class of mentees, and now is the time to apply! They'll be accepting applications until October 20.

Students, early- and mid-career SPSP members are all eligible to find a mentor through the Pathways program. It is organized into three cohorts based on career stage and anticipated PhD year, with mentors supporting members in a neighboring career stage. For example, graduate students and early career members can mentor students, mid-career members can mentor early career researchers, and late-career members can mentor mid-career scholars.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE: https://spsp.org/professional-development/pathways-mentoring-program?_zs=EM7eX&_zl=1aV95

Mentees will review an anonymized directory of participating mentors and select a mentor whose background, research interests, and expertise align with their goals.

What's the commitment? They ask that mentees: Engage in three or more 30- to 60-minute conversations with their mentor (via phone, Zoom, etc.) prior to the SPSP 2027 Annual Convention; set goals you would like to reach through the program (e.g., learning more about applying to graduate school, developing a new skill, etc.); an attend three virtual professional development sessions held by the Career Advancement Committee. Also, if you and your mentor are enjoying your interactions, we hope that you will continue this relationship beyond the program!

Why become a Pathways mentee? The Pathways Mentoring Program is a valuable opportunity to learn from a more experienced member who shares similar experiences, and can offer useful advice, insight, and skills to support your goals. Additionally, this program will provide the opportunity to expand your network with those who may become future collaborators and colleagues.

Questions? Reach out to Lorenzo Figueroa, Membership Manager, at [email protected].

NOTE: You need to be a member of SPSP to participate. Membership costs $50 for undergraduate students.

GRAD SCHOOL INFO SESSION! Do you want to learn more about the PhD and/or MSc programs in Forensic Psychology at Ontario...
10/13/2026

GRAD SCHOOL INFO SESSION! Do you want to learn more about the PhD and/or MSc programs in Forensic Psychology at Ontario Tech University? If so, please join in for their Virtual Open House. See the attached flyer for more info.

GRAD PROGRAM! The Social Psychology doctoral program at Texas Tech University, https://www.depts.ttu.edu/psy/social/, i...
10/13/2026

GRAD PROGRAM! The Social Psychology doctoral program at Texas Tech University, https://www.depts.ttu.edu/psy/social/, is seeking graduate students for the Fall of 2027. They encourage anyone interested in their work to apply. Questions regarding program admission requirements or application procedures should be directed to our graduate admissions staff member Kay Hill ([email protected]) or Dr. Annie Jung ([email protected]; Social Area Experimental Program Coordinator). The application deadline for early review is December 1, 2026 ( https://www.depts.ttu.edu/psy/apply.php ).

Dr. Annie Jung’s ([email protected]) Social Context and Behavior lab ( https://www.ahsjung.com/ ) is currently seeking one or more graduate students to begin in Fall 2027. Dr. Jung's lab examines social-psychological processes leading to prosocial behavior and explores topics such as prosocial modeling, empathy, cooperation, collective action, interpersonal/Intergroup trust, and community resilience and health outcomes. Prospective students interested in any of these topics are encouraged to apply.

Dr. Xi Shen’s ([email protected]) lab conducts research at the intersection of person perception, implicit cognition, and moral psychology. The lab examines questions such as the factors that influence impression formation and updating, the mechanisms behind updating social evaluations and their behavioral consequences, and the role of automatic versus deliberate processes in these phenomena. Dr. Shen is looking to accept one to two graduate students for Fall of 2027 who are passionate about conducting research in these areas.

Dr. Jessica Alquist ([email protected]; https://www.depts.ttu.edu/psy/people/jalquist/ ) plans to review graduate applications for Fall 2027. Dr. Alquist’s lab is currently studying uncertainty, self-control (predictors of successful self-control and mechanisms of ego-depletion), and predictors and consequences of free will beliefs. She is looking for a graduate student with prior research experience who plan to conduct research on these specific topics.

Dr. Amelia Talley ([email protected]) leads the Stigma, Health, and Applied Research Center (SHARC, https://www.depts.ttu.edu/psy/sharc ). Research in the SHARC is generally concerned with examining how threats to one's self-concept and marginalization influence the Self and, in turn, the affective and physical health outcomes of marginalized group members. Dr. Talley's work seeks to better understand the ways in which individuals' identity development process contributes to their substance use behavior and affective health (e.g., depression, anxiety). This work stems from a process-orientated perspective that considers how peer groups, family environment, and societal factors influence the course and resolution of self-uncertainty. Dr. Talley seeks a new graduate student, to begin the program in Fall 2027.

THRIVE TOGETHER OC! Thrive Together OC (TTOC) has a new opportunity for young people with personal or familial experien...
10/12/2026

THRIVE TOGETHER OC! Thrive Together OC (TTOC) has a new opportunity for young people with personal or familial experiences with psychosis, as well as those interested in contributing to meaningful conversations about improving mental health services for individuals experiencing serious mental illness.

Through this initiative, TTOC hopes to bring together youth, family members, and students to share perspectives, build connections, and identify ways to make outreach, engagement, and access to early psychosis care more inclusive and responsive to community needs.

Meetings will take place once a month, with our first meeting scheduled for this Thursday, October 15, from 5:30–7:00 PM. Participants can attend either in person or virtually.
I've attached a flyer with additional information

WEEK 3 EVENTS! Some of you may be interested in attending one (or more) of these events this week:1) Monday, October 1...
10/10/2026

WEEK 3 EVENTS! Some of you may be interested in attending one (or more) of these events this week:

1) Monday, October 12th from 2pm to 3pm at Trader Joe’s at UTC, UCI Student Wellness & Health Promotion Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Jody Margolis will host Grocery Shop With a Nutrition Expert. Students will take a guided trip through Trader Joe’s and learn practical strategies for reading nutrition labels, comparing options, and choosing foods that support their health goals. Space is limited to four UCI students. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by emailing [email protected]

2) Monday, October 12th from 4pm to 4:30pm in the Atlantis Lounge at the Campus Village Community Center (1061 West Peltason Dr., Irvine), UCI Student Wellness & Health Promotion will host Mindful Mondays. Students can take a break and unwind while exploring practices such as meditation, mindful movement, and loving-kindness meditation. No prior experience is needed, and participants will receive a free essential oil roller. Please arrive five minutes early, as latecomers may not be admitted.

3) Tuesday, October 13th at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, the UCI School of Social Ecology will host its 3rd Annual Social Ecology Career Summit! This day-long event is designed to help students build the skills, connections, and confidence they need for their professional journeys, with interactive workshops, professional development, career resources, alumni and employer connections, networking opportunities, and sessions focused on leadership and communication. You do not need to attend the entire event, so you can pick and choose the sessions that work best for your schedule and interests. Food and beverages will be provided. If you plan to attend, please register here: https://uci.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=rvc/Uvad9kQECHrPeIW9eQ%3D%3D

4) Wednesday, October 14th at 12pm via Zoom, the UC Irvine Graduate Division will host a Graduate School Bootcamp workshop entitled, “Is a PhD Right for Me?” This workshop is a great opportunity for students considering doctoral study to learn more about what pursuing a PhD involves and whether it may be the right path for their academic and career goals. If you plan to attend, please register here to receive the Zoom link: https://apply.grad.uci.edu/register/?id=c3677b49-e9bd-459b-b91d-bc2618bda95f&utm_source=chatgpt.com

5) Wednesday, October 14th from 12pm to 1pm in the Career Pathways Training Room, representatives from the CIA will host an information session about careers and internships with the Central Intelligence Agency. Students will learn about available opportunities, the application process, benefits, and basic qualifications for employment with the agency.

6) Wednesday, October 14th from 1pm to 1:45pm in 203 Student Services 1 (or via zoom: https://uci.zoom.us/j/93071242693 ), the UCI Counseling Center will host a Thrive in 45 workshop on “Healthy Boundaries.” This workshop will focus on developing and maintaining healthy boundaries in relationships and other areas of life.

7) Wednesday, October 14th from 2pm to 3pm via Zoom ( https://uci-hipaa.zoom.us/j/94816554121?pwd=9VhSUHxoMKInw81ji5z6OcVXzakPAi.1 ), UCI Student Wellness & Health Promotion and the UCI Counseling Center will host Body & Food Peace. This virtual discussion series, co-led by a psychologist and dietitian, is designed to help students break free from the diet mentality, improve their relationship with food, and cultivate respect for their bodies regardless of size. Topics throughout the series include eating for well-being, body neutrality, mindful eating, and Health At Every Size. Participants will have opportunities to win prizes.

8) Wednesday, October 14th from 3pm to 5pm in the Career Pathways Training Room, the UCI Division of Career Pathways will host “Resume Rush.” Students can bring a copy of their resume for an update and review and will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance registration is not required.

9) Thursday, October 15th from 1pm to 2pm in G319 Student Center, UCI Student Wellness & Health Promotion will host Anteater Recovery. This supportive community welcomes students at any point in their recovery journey and provides an opportunity to connect with others, share experiences, build meaningful relationships, and support one another in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

10) Thursday, October 15th from 5:10pm to 6pm in SBSG 4323, UCI Psychology Ph.D. student Jerry McDonald will host an “Evaluating Variables” SPSS workshop. Participants will learn how to distinguish between different levels of measurement, including categorical, ordinal, interval, and ratio variables, as well as how to manipulate and recode variables using the SPSS Data Window. Participants are highly encouraged to bring a personal laptop (Mac or PC). Note: Although this workshop was designed for students in the UCI Psychology Post-Bacc program, we are happy to open this up to anyone who would like to attend. In other words, all are welcome!

11) Saturday, October 17, 2026, 2pm, Regal University Town Center (Screen 4). The Newport Beach Film Festival will be screening The Good Life, a new documentary inspired by the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the world's longest-running study of adult development and wellbeing. The film follows individuals at different stages of adulthood as they explore relationships, happiness, purpose, aging, and what it means to live a meaningful life. This is a great opportunity for psychology students to see decades of psychological research brought to life, and the screening is conveniently located right across the street from UCI! The festival is offering UCI Psychology students a special $10 discount, bringing the ticket price down from $20 to just $10. To receive the discount, use promo code UCIPsych2026NBFF when purchasing tickets here: https://nbff2026.eventive.org/schedule/6aa2f6e5b59d6eb75f0f6c7b . Feel free to bring your friends!

ADVISOR ADVICE! Some of you may be interested in the attached chapter by Foss & Waters (2016) entitled, "Making the Bes...
10/10/2026

ADVISOR ADVICE! Some of you may be interested in the attached chapter by Foss & Waters (2016) entitled, "Making the Best Use of Your Guide: Advisor Advising," which has some great tips for developing and maintaining good working relationships with your advisor(s). This article talks about advisors with respect to grad school, but the vast majority of the advice applies to research advisors in an undergraduate or post-bacc program as well.

https://sites.uci.edu/postbaccstuff/files/2026/10/Foss-Waters-2016-Advisor-Advising.pdf

GRAD PROGRAM! The Health Psychology PhD program at UCLA is now accepting applications - see the attached flyer for more...
10/10/2026

GRAD PROGRAM! The Health Psychology PhD program at UCLA is now accepting applications - see the attached flyer for more info.

JOB OPENING! Location: University of Texas, Dallas / Dallas TX. Job Summary: The Laboratory for Healthy Social-Emotion...
10/10/2026

JOB OPENING! Location: University of Texas, Dallas / Dallas TX.

Job Summary: The Laboratory for Healthy Social-Emotional Development is hiring a full-time Research Assistant to begin as soon as possible (PI: Dr. Alva Tang). The Research Assistant will work at the University of Texas at Dallas main campus in Richardson. The Research Assistant will have the opportunity to work on an nichd-funded study examining adolescents’ processing of social information, and to oversee day-to-day activities in the lab. This is a one-year position with the possibility of extension based on performance.

Preferred Education & Experience: The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Education/ Human Development or a related field. Experience conducting research with humans, collecting data with EEG or other kinds of neuroimaging techniques, and experience working with children and/or adolescents and families are preferred. Applicants interested in attending graduate school or pursuing a career focused on research in developmental psychology, neuroscience, or clinical psychology are encouraged to apply.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Participant recruitment, coordinating lab visits for adolescents, and acquiring data from adolescents and parents using EEG experimental tasks, cognitive tasks, and surveys.
2. Data management (e.g., working with RedCap), maintaining a database, and coding and analyzing data.
3. Lab management (e.g., writing lab protocols, IRB amendments, participant reimbursements, training undergraduate students, maintaining lab website).
4. Community engagement and building relationships with community partners (e.g., attending recruitment functions, assisting with advertisements).
5. Manuscript preparation with authorship opportunities.

Requirements for the position: This position requires keen attention to detail, organizational and planning abilities to work within deadlines, and excellent interpersonal and leadership skills to communicate and work with families and the research team.

Instructions: The link to the application portal is here, https://jobs.utdallas.edu/postings/32903

Please provide (1) a cover letter describing research and lab experience, (2) CV/resume, and (3) contact information of at least two references. Reviews will begin immediately until the position is filled.

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4306 Social And Behavioral Sciences
Irvine, CA

Telephone

+19516623735

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