George Washington University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences

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George Washington University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences

We invite our current students, prospective students, alums, and friends to see what we're up to at area's many and varied resources.

The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is one of the largest undergraduate programs in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences with respect to the number of declared majors. In addition, the department awards approximately 10 PhD degrees each year through its doctoral programs. At all levels of instruction, the educational programs make extensive use of and focus upon the Washington

, D.C. Led by Department Chair Sarah Shomstein, the department consists of more than 50 professionals, 29 of which are tenured/tenure track faculty. In addition, there are visiting, part-time, adjunct, and research faculty, as well as graduate teaching and research assistants. The first PhD awarded by the department was in 1923 to Fred Moss. His dissertation research was "A Study of Animal Drives". Moss went on to receive an MD from the George Washington University. He is best known as the creator of the MCAT, the medical school admissions test that served as a forerunner of numerous aptitude tests such as the SAT. The second PhD was awarded to Thelma Hunt, 1927, on "The Measurement of Social Intelligence". Dr. Hunt also received a medical degree from the George Washington University, and served as department chair from 1938-1963. Over 100 PhDs have been awarded by the department over the years, and our graduates have found success in competitive job searches around the country. Today, the department continues to flourish.

05/29/2026

We are excited to announce PhD Candidate Sarah Malykke has just published groundbreaking research in the journal Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics!

Her paper, "Predicting errors before they occur using trial-by-trial dynamics of pre-error and post-error behavior," tackles the question: can we anticipate mistakes before they happen? This kind of research has far-reaching implications for how we understand human attention, performance monitoring, and behavior.

Publishing in a reputable journal as a PhD Candidate is a remarkable achievement and a testament to Sarah's dedication, rigor, and the quality of her scientific contributions.

Congratulations, Sarah!

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.3758/s13414-026-03281-0

05/16/2026

Congratulations to our newest Cognitive Neuroscience PhDs: Dr. Rebeka Almasi, Dr. Shannon Cahalan, and Dr. Sanika Paranjape!

We are so proud of our graduates. Your accomplishments left an impact on your peers and your field. We will be cheering you on as you progress through your next chapter!

05/15/2026

Congratulations to our 10 newest PhDs who were honored at the CCAS Doctoral Hooding Ceremony on March 14, 2006.

-- Cognitive Neuroscience: Dr. Rebeka Almasi, Dr. Shannon Cahalan, & Dr. Sanika Paranjape
-- Applied Social Psychology: Dr. Arianne Malekzadeh
-- Clinical Psychology: Dr. Maya Cook Alford, Dr. SJ Job, Dr. Seon (Eric) Lee, Dr. Blakely Murphy, Dr. Ash Reed, & Dr. Alana Rule

You are all amazing and have very bright futures ahead. You make us proud!!

05/13/2026

PBS undergraduate, Sophia Spadaro, presented her research at the CCAS Research Showcase is featured in GW Today!

More than 250 undergraduate and graduate students across disciplines displayed their scholarly work at the fourth-annual CCAS Research Showcase.

05/12/2026

We enjoyed celebrating the end of the Spring semester and congratulating the accomplishments of our undergraduate senior and graduate student PBS award winners as well as psychological and brain sciences honors students! We are so proud of you!! Congratulations to all of our graduating seniors, we can't wait to see what you accomplish next!!

05/08/2026

Please join us in congratulating, GWU Clinical Psychology PhD program doctoral student, SJ, on their successful defense of their dissertation entitled: "Living Under Constant Pressure: A Critical Clinical Approach to Understanding Suicidality in Black Transgender and Gender-Expansive People". Special shout out to their outstanding committee: Drs. Zea, Bowleg, Lambert, Aguayo-Romero and Dr. Calabrese who chaired the meeting!

05/05/2026

Please join us in congratulating Taylor Russo, a fourth year doctoral candidate in Applied Social Psychology, on her Philip Amsterdam Graduate Student Teaching Award!

04/28/2026

Zoe Smith, a second year doctoral student in Applied Social Psychology, presented her poster "Why Framing Age as Risk Backfires: Lessons for Health Intervention Design" at the Society of Behavioral Medicine conference. The poster received a meritorious abstract award. Congratulations, Zoe!!

04/23/2026

Dr. Isaiah Pickens, Psychology BA alumnus ('05), returned to GW for a joyous event to celebrate the official launch of his new book, Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Practices in SchoolsOpens in a new window. Following an introduction by his GW mentor, Dr. Christina Gee, Isaiah and GSEHD Interim Dean Lionel Howard, had an an insightful fireside chat. Isaiah reflected on how trauma and polarization have reshaped relationships between families, students, educators, and schools and discussed pathways to healing, preparedness, and renewed trust through community partnership. The audience left inspired to bring change to our education system by supporting teachers and students. It was wonderful to have Isaiah back on campus to share this amazing work!

The event was co-sponsored by the GW Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, the GW Graduate School Education and Human Development, and the the GW Office of Community Engagement and DC Partnerships.

If you would like to learn more about the book: https://www.guilford.com/books/Trauma-Informed-and-Culturally-Responsive-Practices-in-Schools/Isaiah-Pickens/9781462550999?srsltid=AfmBOooHzcDYbH41DvyTMR9UTVMBmP2cx5qd-qrrKkgN4TdJFDRE5SLI
To connect with Dr. Pickens or learn more about the Brave Schools Movement: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaiah-pickens-phd-66092825/

Address

2013 H Street , NW
Washington D.C., DC
20052

Website

https://psychology.columbian.gwu.edu/

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