ASU Department of Psychology

06/01/2026

Jamie Katz, a social psychology doctoral student mentored by Professor Michelle "Lani" Shiota, earned three Department of Psychology honors this spring:

🏆 Darwyn and Marie Linder Graduate Fellowship in Social Psychology
🏆 Graduate Student Pedagogy Award
🏆 Samuel Leifheit Service Award

Jamie’s research explores positive emotions such as awe and wonder, investigating how they shape cognition and influence behavior. Her work examines how both pleasant and unpleasant emotional experiences are preserved in memory, what makes experiences meaningful and how language influences emotional experience. By integrating cognitive, affective and social psychological theory, she seeks to better understand how emotions shape our thoughts and social lives.

An NSF Graduate Research Fellow, Jamie has also made a lasting impact on the Department of Psychology through her leadership in the Psychology Graduate Student Association, recruitment efforts and support of key research initiatives. Her intellectual excellence, dedication to teaching and service and genuine care for others make her a truly deserving recipient of these honors.

Congratulations, Jamie!

05/29/2026

The demand for mental health care is rising rapidly, but the number of trained professionals isn't keeping pace.

Beginning in fall 2026, Arizona State University’s Department of Psychology will offer a fully online Master of Science in clinical psychology designed to help address this growing need.

Built on the strengths of ASU's nationally recognized and APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral program, the degree combines rigorous clinical training, evidence-based practice and flexible online learning. Students will also complete 600 hours of in-person practicum training in their local communities.

Learn more about the new program: news.asu.edu/20260529-science-and-technology-new-online-masters-degree-clinical-psychology-expand-access-mental

05/27/2026

👏 Cheers to Sophie Byrd, winner of the John W. Reich Prize in Applied Social Psychology! This award honors an undergraduate psychology major whose research reflects Emeritus Professor John W. Reich’s commitment to testing theory in real-world settings and addressing meaningful social issues through scientific methods.

Byrd is a Barrett, The Honors College at ASU student majoring in psychology and family and human development. At ASU, she contributes to research through the QUEST Study and Associate Professor Kelsey Lucca’s Emerging Minds Lab.

Her commitment to service extends far beyond the classroom. Through National Charity League, Byrd completed more than 200 hours of volunteer service with local charities over four years. She has also supported her community through organizations including Girl Scouts, National Honor Society, Best Buddies and Link Crew.

During the fall 2025 semester, Byrd served as a Learning Assistant supporting first-year students in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She now applies her psychology training directly in the community as a Respite Care Provider and Life Enrichment Assistant in memory care.

“ I have been fortunate enough to meet so many people from varying backgrounds and experiences and work in different disciplines that have broadened my life's perspectives in many ways," shared Byrd. "I am a better person today and that is because of the people in my ASU community that have pushed me to be a better student, worker and thinker."

05/27/2026

Recognizing outstanding scholarship: Alexys Murillo — recipient of the Robert B. Cialdini Graduate Scholar Award for Theoretical Development in Psychology! This award honors doctoral students advancing psychological science through innovative theoretical frameworks and models.

Murillo, a developmental psychology PhD student mentored by Professor Kathryn Lemery-Chalfant, combines sophisticated methods and complex data to better understand how socioeconomic factors shape stress reactivity.

In the Child Emotion Center, Murillo leads a large team of undergraduate research assistants while building an impressive record of scholarship, teaching and mentorship. Her master’s research has already led to a first-authored publication in "Clinical Psychological Science" and multiple conference presentations. Beyond her research, she has taught her own course and continues to mentor peers and undergraduate students.

Congratulations, Alexys! 🎉

05/26/2026

Congratulations to Valeria Aguayo and Angela Sun, recipients of the Zita M. Johnson Child Study Scholarship in the Department of Psychology! 👶📚

Awarded to psychology majors pursuing careers working with young children, this scholarship honors Zita M. Johnson, former director of the Child Study Laboratory and a lifelong advocate for children and families.

Both Aguayo and Sun are Barrett, The Honors College at ASU students double majoring in psychology and family and human development. They’ve also conducted research in Associate Professor Kelsey Lucca’s Emerging Minds Lab.

This marks Sun’s second year receiving the award. Building on her research experience, she founded BrightBridge, where she serves as team lead and UX research lead for an interdisciplinary team developing a trauma-informed platform to help adolescents navigate relationship decisions and combat loneliness in partnership with Peer Solutions.

This summer, Sun will join DriveTime as an Organizational Development Intern, contributing to the design and evaluation of employee learning systems.

Aguayo, a Dorrance Scholar, has studied abroad across Europe and also served as a classroom assistant in the Child Development Lab.

Kudos, Valeria and Angela! 👏

05/16/2026

Aliya Hashim came to Arizona State University from Chandigarh, India, and built an interdisciplinary path spanning neuroscience, pharmacology and toxicology research across the Tempe and West Valley campuses.

Now an graduating with two bachelor’s degrees and a minor in philosophy, Hashim has been named the Dean’s Medalist for ASU New College at West Valley campus.

Along the way, she conducted research in multiple labs, including Assistant Professor Jessica Verpeut's SOCIAL (Study of Circuits in Adolescent Life) Neurobiology Lab in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

“My mentors ... supported me not just academically but as a person,” Hashim said. “They reminded me that it’s okay to take breaks and prioritize mental health.”

Next, she plans to pursue an MD-PhD.

Read more: news.asu.edu/20260508-sun-devil-community-graduates-journey-india-asu-leads-deans-medalist-recognition

05/15/2026

05/15/2026

Jenaro Hernandez entered ASU in recovery from substance use, determined to build a career shaped by both clinical training and lived experience.

Now an earning his master’s degree in applied behavior analysis, Hernandez completed practicum training at Success on the Spectrum while developing a creative capstone project with Clinical Assistant Professor Lorraine Becerra rooted in acceptance and commitment therapy.

“I wanted to transform my own history into something useful,” Hernandez said. “My experience with addiction gives me a perspective that many clinicians do not have.”

He plans to become a board certified behavior analyst and continue toward a doctoral degree focused on addiction psychology and behavioral science. https://news.asu.edu/20260507-science-and-technology-department-psychology-graduate-turns-recovery-path-helping-others

05/14/2026

Every parent has moments they wish they could redo: burning dinner, losing patience or shrinking a favorite shirt in the laundry.

New research from Arizona State University and the University of Washington found that how parents respond to those stressful moments matters. Parents who practice self-compassion — treating themselves with kindness instead of harsh self-criticism — were more protected against future depressive symptoms.

The Arizona Twin Project’s eight-year study followed 500 parents and found that self-compassion had lasting protective effects against depression, even among parents already receiving therapy or medication.

“Making mistakes does not make you a bad parent — it just makes you human," said Erin Mistretta, alumna of the ASU clinical psychology doctoral program and first author on the study.

Burning dinner. Shrinking your child’s favorite T-shirt in the laundry. Losing your temper and snapping at your child.The aftermath of these types of mistakes can be stressful, and how parents respond to that stress can contribute to depression — or stave it off.Research from the Arizona State U...

05/13/2026

Jade Li entered unsure of what path she wanted to pursue. Studying abroad in Singapore and Spain helped bring her future into focus.

An earning her psychology degree this spring, Li explored mental health and interpersonal dynamics through the : Healthy Experiences Across Relationships and Transitions Lab and interned at Terros Health, where she supported women navigating substance use and mental health challenges.

This fall, she’ll attend Columbia University to pursue a master’s degree at the Columbia School of Social Work.

Read more: news.asu.edu/20260506-sun-devil-community-california-graduate-finds-her-path-helping-others