Why Iowa?

Iowa has been at the forefront of psychological research and training for a century, and we still lead today. Our students learn about the field in the classroom and laboratory, and out in the community, developing skills that help them stand out among their peers.

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Profiles & Research

The department's commitment to research excellence is matched by a commitment to providing outstanding research and professional training for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs.

Research in the News

The New Yorker: What are dreams for?

Mark Blumberg, chair of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Iowa, discusses his research into the connections among REM sleep, twitches, and dreams in The New Yorker.

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Bruce Bartholow

CLAS psychology professor awarded two NIH grants totaling $7.3 million

Professor Bruce Bartholow, who joined the University of Iowa over the summer, has two upcoming research projects funded by significant grants from the National Institutes of Health.

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Assistant professors McCleery and Baran stand in front of PIER Program poster

PBS faculty provide psychosis intervention series to UI students, community through research project

Professors Amanda McCleery and Bengi Baran launched a program to help people in the University of Iowa community who are experiencing negative mental health symptoms.  

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Jason Radley.jpeg

University of Iowa researchers confirm stress link in the brain

Professor Jason Radley and his team published a paper that significantly advances our understanding of how the medial prefrontal cortex modulates a midbrain structure to determine how animals, including humans, respond to stressful situations. 

Héctor Sánchez Meléndez working at a computer in the UI Psycholinguistics Lab, located in the Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Clinic

Learning to decode the brain

Growing up in Puerto Rico, Héctor Sánchez Meléndez made up his mind to study the brain and go to medical school. But as a neuroscience major at the University of Iowa, he discovered a passion for research. Now, he wants to establish a lab back home.

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News and Announcements

Department Chair Mark Blumberg named 2023 UI Distinguished Chair

Monday, June 26, 2023
Mark Blumberg, F. Wendell Mill Professor and chair in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, has been named as a recipient of the 2023 University of Iowa Distinguished Chair.

Jodie Plumert appointed Russell B. Day and Florence D. Day Chair

Monday, June 26, 2023
Professor Jodie Plumert, and Starch Faculty fellow in the University of Iowa’s Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, has been appointed as the Russell B. Day and Florence D. Day Chair in Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Professors Radley and LaLumiere awarded a five-year $2.3 million grant from NIMH

Thursday, June 8, 2023
Congratulations to Professors Jason Radley and Ryan LaLumiere, who were recently awarded a five-year $2.3 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.

Upcoming Events

Big Ten Neuroscience Seminar Series

Friday, December 15, 2023 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Virtual
The Big Ten Neuroscience Seminar Series highlights trainees and junior faculty from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in neuroscience. We meet virtually once each month—featuring one Big Ten institution—for presentations and discussion/networking. Seminars are scheduled for afternoons on the third Friday of each month. Zoom link is provided by the host institution. If not added in the event listing, please email iowa-neuroscience-institute@uiowa.edu the week of the seminar to...

Big Ten Neuroscience Seminar Series

Friday, January 19, 2024 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Virtual
The Big Ten Neuroscience Seminar Series highlights trainees and junior faculty from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in neuroscience. We meet virtually once each month—featuring one Big Ten institution—for presentations and discussion/networking. Seminars are scheduled for afternoons on the third Friday of each month. Zoom link is provided by the host institution. If not added in the event listing, please email iowa-neuroscience-institute@uiowa.edu the week of the seminar to...

Big Ten Neuroscience Seminar Series

Friday, February 16, 2024 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Virtual
The Big Ten Neuroscience Seminar Series highlights trainees and junior faculty from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in neuroscience. We meet virtually once each month—featuring one Big Ten institution—for presentations and discussion/networking. Seminars are scheduled for afternoons on the third Friday of each month. Zoom link is provided by the host institution. If not added in the event listing, please email iowa-neuroscience-institute@uiowa.edu the week of the seminar to...
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