Even when reward is guaranteed, animals may resist becoming creatures of habit. University of Iowa researchers found that pigeons balanced repetition with exploration — behaving, in the researchers’ words, “at the edge of chaos.”

DeAndre Steger, a student in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, was recognized at the Finkbine Dinner for his academic achievement, leadership, and contributions to research and student engagement.

Michelle Voss, a researcher in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, contributed to new research showing how brief physical activity can enhance memory. Her work demonstrates how exercise creates measurable changes in brain activity that support learning and memory retention, offering new insights into brain health.