Purdue University Department of Psychological Sciences

Expanding access to affordable, evidence-based mental health care while training future clinical psychologists. 🧠💛

Through the Purdue Psychology Treatment and Research Clinics (PPTRC), Purdue Department of Psychological Sciences faculty Dr. Heather Ciesielski and Dr. James Noll are helping make meaningful care more accessible for the Greater Lafayette community.

Clinicians provide closely supervised care across child therapy, adult therapy, and psychological assessment services, making meaningful support more accessible for families, students, and community members alike.

Read more at https://www.purdueexponent.org/campus/features/pptrc-bridges-mental-health-care-access/article_1f252b73-7370-46fa-9e21-89136b91c802.html

Congratulations to Dr. Brooke Macnamara on receiving Purdue University’s Trailblazer Award! 🎉

The Trailblazer Award recognizes outstanding mid-career faculty whose research and scholarship have made a significant impact in the humanities, social sciences, and information sciences. We are proud to celebrate Dr. Macnamara’s incredible contributions to psychological science and the Purdue community. 💙🧠

Learn more about the award at https://www.purdue.edu/academics/faculty-affairs/awards/trailblazer.html

Spring Fest 2026 was a success! 🌟

Despite the rainy start, we loved connecting with 250+ community members through fun, hands-on psychology activities. Huge thank you to our amazing graduate students Eilis, Kamryn, Abby, Niamh, Luis, and Sofia, along with all of our volunteers and staff who made the day possible! 💙🧠

To the graduating Class of 2026, congratulations! 🎓✨

Over the years, you’ve asked questions, challenged ideas, supported one another, and grown into compassionate thinkers and future leaders. The Department of Psychological Sciences is proud to celebrate all that you’ve accomplished and excited to see where your next chapter takes you.

Wherever you go, carry your curiosity with you. Boiler up, forever. 💛🖤

Kira Means named 2026–2027 Bilsland Fellowship recipient 🎉

This competitive fellowship supports exceptional PhD students as they complete their final year of research, recognizing both academic excellence and future impact.

A huge congratulations on this well-earned achievement 👏

A full-circle moment for our alumni

Colin E. Vize was officially recognized with the Early Career Achievement Award at the 2026 HHS Alumni Awards. Now an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh, his research on personality, aggression, and psychopathy is making a meaningful impact in the field.

Honored to celebrate this achievement in person and highlight the work of our Purdue Psychological Sciences community

We’re highlighting the impactful work of faculty in the Purdue University Department of Psychological Sciences.

Susan E. Swithers, professor of psychological sciences, was named a recipient of the Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2019–20.

Her research explores how the brain and behavior interact to shape eating habits and body weight. It focuses on how experience, sensory cues, and physiological processes influence food intake and energy balance.

➡️ Learn more: https://hhs.purdue.edu/directory/susie-swithers/

Honoring outstanding teaching in our department 🎉

A big congratulations to graduate student Daniel Oesterle for earning the HHS Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award. His commitment to teaching and supporting students makes a lasting difference.

Recognized at this year’s HHS Spring Awards and Honors Celebration 👏

What’s really behind math anxiety?

New research from Purdue Psychological Sciences graduate student Mariel Barnett takes a closer look at the behaviors that drive math avoidance, from risk sensitivity to how effort and mistakes are perceived.

These insights could help shape more effective ways to support students and keep them engaged in learning

Read more at https://www.purdue.edu/hhs/news/2026/04/purdue-cognitive-psychology-graduate-student-decodes-behaviors-behind-math-anxiety/

Celebrating excellence in our department 🎉

Congratulations to Dr. Donald Lynam, Distinguished Professor, on receiving the HHS Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor Award. This award is an incredible recognition of his impact, dedication, and mentorship to graduate students.

Proud to recognize this achievement at the HHS Spring Awards & Honors Celebration 👏