Undergraduate Recognition
DEAN'S MEDAL NOMINEE
The Department of Psychology's nominee for the Dean’s Medal in the Natural Sciences Division of the College of Arts and Sciences is Amaris Ilar. Amaris is an outstanding student and human being. She has worked in Dr. Priscilla Lui’s lab for the past two years, participated in other labs, has been working as a Peer Health Educator with UW LiveWell, was president of the Asian American Students Alliance for Mental Health, is a James Steele and Ruth Hagenstein scholar, and graduates Magna Cum Laude with a BS in psychology and BA in education in June 2024. Amaris was also selected by the College of Arts and Sciences to be a gonfalonier (banner carrier) at the UW Commencement Ceremony on June 8, 2024.
ARIC CHANDLER SCHOLARS
In memory of Aric Joseph Chandler, his parents, family, and friends established an endowed scholarship fund to support University of Washington-Seattle undergraduate psychology majors who transferred to UW from a Washington community college. This generous gift was made to advance Aric's passion, vision, and dedication to helping others, especially young people.
In fall quarter, three outstanding students were named 2023-2024 Aric Chandler Scholars. Mya Leonhard transferred to UW from Highline College and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in psychology in March. Mariana Lemos transferred to UW from Green River College and will graduate this August with a BA in psychology and law, societies and justice. Charlie Stebbins is a junior pursuing a BA in psychology while also pursuing his passion for theater and acting.
JAMES STEELE SCHOLARS
In winter quarter, eight students were named 2023-2024 James Steele Scholars. Thanks to the generous support provided by the James Steele Endowed Scholarship fund, the Psychology Department is able to offer financial support to selected students who have a demonstrated interest in the field of clinical psychology. This year’s James Steele Scholars are: Laila AlMansour, Samuel Burke, Maryam Goudarzi, Amaris Ilar, Olivia Leland, Morgan Opdahl, Rosa Peterson, and Edgar Quiroz Sanchez.
HAGENSTEIN RESEARCH TRAVEL SCHOLARS
In spring quarter, seven students were named recipients of a Hagenstein Research Travel Scholarship. These awards are made possible by the Ruth H. Hagenstein Endowment to assist undergraduate psychology majors who plan to attend and present at professional conferences. This year's Hagenstein Scholars are: Ethan Hagey, Sarrah Khan, Joseph Lambuth, Anna Li, Zane Mohamed, Arvin Shaygan Pur, and Katrina Telnack.
LEVINSON EMERGING SCHOLARS
The Levinson Emerging Scholars (LES) Program is designed to support promising students who work on creative and sophisticated research projects in biosciences and related fields under the guidance of UW faculty. Two psychology majors are among the 2023-2024 Levinson Scholars cohort: Kavin Srinakarin, who graduated in June 2024, and junior Dave Young. Both Kavin and Dave are psychology honors students.
PSYCHOLOGY HONORS PROGRAM COHORT
Congratulations to the 13 students who make up this year’s Psychology Honors Program cohort. Each student has spent two years engaged in faculty-led research and completed an independent research project directed by their faculty advisor. Dr. Cheryl Kaiser is the program’s faculty director. This year’s graduating Honors Students are: Yujia Cao, Siyu (Louisa) Chen, Gina Goble, Mary Huynh, Siqi Mao, Megan McManamen, Pari Mungalpara, Kavin Srinakarin,Yue (Claire) Su, Annabelle Wiley, and Ingrid Zhang. John Yi and Dave Young also completed their honors work this spring and will graduate next year.
HONORS SCHOLAR RESEARCH AWARDS
Three students won Honors Scholar Research Awards this year this year. Students can use these financial awards to pay for costs associated with a research project, such as subject payments, lab equipment, and other special services. The following students and projects received funding: Anastasiya Polyakova for a paper titled, "Investigating Primary Care Providers' Decision-Making Regarding Autism Referral"; Jasmine Yeung for a paper titled, "Children are resilient: Reframing impaired cognitive flexibility of children experiencing early adversity and unpredictability as a form of adaptation"; and Mazzi Nowicki for a paper titled "Deciphering Nature Definitions: A Sorting Task and Interview Study wtih a Diverse Sample."
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
Each year, nearly 1,000 students from all three UW campuses and other local institutions present their research spanning over 100 disciplines at the UW Undergraduate Research Symposium. An impressive 78 psychology majors took part in this year’s event.
GUTHRIE PRIZE
The Guthrie Prize is awarded annually to two students for excellent writing in psychology. This year's winner for the Best Empirical Paper is Gina Goble. Goble's paper, titled "Social Transmissions of Fear in a Naturalistic Setting," was completed under the direction of Dr. Jeansok Kim. The Guthrie Prize winner for the Best Conceptual Paper/Research Proposal is Mary Huynh. Huynh's paper, titled "Psychological Research on the Impact of Intergenerational Trauma among Southeast Asian Americans: A scoping review," was completed under the direction of Dr. Priscilla Lui. Congratulations!
MARY GATES RESEARCH SCHOLARS
Five psychology majors are among the 2023-24 Mary Gates Research Scholars. The Mary Gates Endowment for Students supports University of Washington undergraduates to become independent learners and community leaders. Psychology Mary Gates Scholars (and their faculty sponsors) are: Laila AlMansour (Dr. Sapna Cheryan), Maeve Bottoms (Dr. Sheri Mizumori), Mary Bun (Dr. Sama Ahmed), Gina Goble (Dr. Jeansok Kim), and Anastasiya Polyakova (Dr. Wendy Stone).
A VOICE FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS
We are delighted to announce that graduating senior Edgar Quiroz Sanchez was selected by the College of Arts and Sciences to be one of four outstanding graduates featured in the online magazine Perspectives. Edgar graduated with a BS in psychology and BA in law, societies and justice. This fall, he will begin the UW Psychology graduate program in Applied Child and Adolescent Psychology. Access the article here: A Voice for Undocumented Students | UW College of Arts & Sciences (washington.edu)
HUSKY 100
Jillian Holbrook, a double degree student in psychology and neuroscience, was named part of the Husky 100 2024 cohort. Each year, the Husky 100 recognizes 100 UW undergraduate and graduate students who are making the most of their time at the UW. Jillian plans a career as a physician-researcher.