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.
DeLTA* Center
*Development and Learning from Theory to Application
Profiles and 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.
The close link between artificial intelligence and reinforcement learning in pigeons is no flight of fancy
This article about the history of AI highlights Ed Wasserman's research on pigeon cognition.
PBS researchers receive NSF funding to understand how speech perception relates to reading and language skills
Bob McMurray, professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences receives funding to further understand how children and adults hear and distinguish speech sounds.
Exploring a novel approach for treating Parkinson's disease
Cheol Soh is driven to improve the lives of people living with Parkinson’s disease. As a postdoctoral researcher, Soh’s research focuses on the brain regions related to movement stopping.
Paras Bassuk named UI’s 23rd Rhodes Scholar
The University of Iowa is uniquely known for being a place where art meets science, where students are encouraged to explore and innovate across these disciplines. Paras Bassuk, UI’s newest Rhodes Scholar, personifies exactly what that means — and more.
Self Driving Cars & Crosswalks
With an estimated 3.5 million self-driving vehicles expected on America’s roads by next year, University of Iowa researchers are investigating how to make crossing the road safe, especially for children.
CLAS PBS professor receives NIH grant to research how to improve lifeguard training using virtual reality
Cathleen Moore, professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, will use the funds from the National Institutes of Health to develop techniques to make pools safer.
News and announcements
The science behind stress, coping, and resilience this holiday season
Thursday, December 18, 2025
As the holiday season ramps up, stress can feel unavoidable. University of Iowa Psychological and Brain Sciences professor Jason Radley, a global and national expert on the neurobiology of stress, suggests some ways to help.
PBS faculty member seeks to understand how memories evolve within the brain
Monday, November 17, 2025
Isabel Muzzio, professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, wants to answer how memories are stored, whether they can modified, and what sustains them over time.
CLAS PBS faculty member piloting intervention program with VA for rural veterans with cardiovascular disease
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Emily Thomas, clinical associate professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, has been piloting an online behavioral health tool for two years, geared towards rural Veterans with cardiovascular disease.
