University of Denver, Department of Psychology

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University of Denver, Department of Psychology

We are a community of undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty exploring psychology together.

Mission: Our mission is to advance psychological science by generating and sharing new knowledge through collaborative scholarship, educating and mentoring student scholars, and contributing to the public good. Values: We value a collaborative and integrative approach to psychological science that fosters intellectual curiosity and innovation, invests in people in a supportive and inclusive enviro

nment, and serves the public good. Vision: To be an inclusive intellectual community that fosters discovery and innovation.

08/27/2026

Advancing Psychological Science at DU!

At the University of Denver, psychology research goes far beyond the classroom.

With 20+ active research labs, our faculty and graduate students are exploring some of the most important questions in psychological science. From how early-life experiences shape health and development to cognitive and neural processes underlying human behavior, the causes and consequences of trauma, violence, and adversity, and so many more thought-provoking studies, our department is working hard to contribute new insights into our world every day.

What makes our research community especially impactful is the collaboration between award-winning faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers. Students have opportunities to work alongside faculty mentors, contribute to meaningful research, present their findings, and develop the skills needed to pursue careers and graduate study in psychology and beyond.

Our faculty and students continue to make an impact through peer-reviewed publications, competitive research grants, and recognition for outstanding awards. Our department is proud to support research that advances psychological science and serves our communities.

Curious about the research happening at DU Psychology? Explore our labs and discover the people, questions, and discoveries driving psychological science forward.

Link to discover more about each lab: https://liberalarts.du.edu/psychology/psyc-research

08/06/2026

🌟 Being the first in your family to attend college is a remarkable achievement, and you don't have to navigate it alone.

FIRST@DU is a unit within the Division of Student Affairs here to celebrate, support, and empower first-generation students every step of the way.

From one-on-one coaching and peer mentorship to community events, enrichment funding, and leadership opportunities, FIRST@DU is dedicated to helping you thrive at DU and beyond.

Whether you're just starting your journey or looking to get more involved, there's a community ready to welcome you.

Learn more: https://studentaffairs.du.edu/first-generation

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07/24/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Emily Melnick on receiving a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant for "Neighborhood food access and cardiovascular disease risk in early childhood"!

The University of Denver Department of Psychology is proud to celebrate Dr. Emily Melnick for receiving a prestigious NIH award in support of her research. This highly competitive funding recognizes the importance of her work and will help advance scientific understanding in the field of psychology and neuroscience.

NIH funding supports research with the potential to make meaningful contributions to science and improve human health. We are excited to see the impact of Dr. Melnick's work and look forward to the discoveries that will emerge from this project.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Melnick on this outstanding achievement!

Link to article: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/WviKxp6BN02mUqgUjY9Vqg/project-details/11371499

07/17/2026

🌊☀️ Still in summer mode? We get it.

As Fall Quarter gets closer, it's normal to feel a mix of excitement, stress, or even uncertainty. Taking a few small steps now can help ease some of that back-to-school anxiety.

🍂 Check in with your academic advisor if you have questions about your schedule or goals.
📅 Add important dates and deadlines to your calendar so they don't catch you off guard.
💻 Make sure your technology is ready before classes begin.
📚 Gather your books and supplies ahead of time.
😴 Start easing back into a consistent sleep routine.

💙 Most importantly, remember that you don't have to navigate the quarter alone. Reach out to campus resources, professors, advisors, or friends whenever you need support.

A little preparation now can help you start the quarter feeling more confident, organized, and ready to take on whatever comes your way.

💬 What's one thing you do before the semester starts to reduce stress?

06/30/2026

Psychology says nature gives your brain something modern life can't. 🏕️

Here's what happens when you trade
Wi-Fi for wilderness:

🔥 Stress drops — no notifications, no noise, just quiet
🌌 Sleep improves — natural light resets your internal clock
🧠 Focus sharpens — your mind finally gets room to think
🌲 Time slows down — you reconnect with a rhythm screens can't give you

Psychologists say it's not just a getaway — it's mental clarity you can't fake! ✨

Get outside this summer!

Source: https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/psychology-says-people-who-love-camping-may-be-giving-their-brains-something-modern-life-can-t/ar-AA26QWPa?ocid=BingNewsSerp

06/16/2026

🎉 Student Spotlight: Trudy Mickel 🎉

We're proud to celebrate our Ph.D. student Trudy Mickel on the publication of her article, "Thin Doesn't Win: Eating Disorders in Sports," with the non-profit The Hidden Opponent.

In this impactful piece, Trudy explores the realities of eating disorders in athletics and challenges the misconception that being thinner leads to better performance. Her work helps bring awareness to an important issue affecting athletes at every level.

Link: https://www.thehiddenopponent.org/post/thin-doesn-t-win-eating-disorders-in-sports

Join us in congratulating Trudy on this incredible accomplishment! 👏

06/02/2026

What an incredible evening celebrating the achievements of our Psychology community! 🎉

Last week, we gathered for the 2026 Psychology Spring Awards Ceremony to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

From academic excellence and research contributions to leadership, service, and teaching, this year's honorees represent the very best of DU Psychology.

Congratulations to all of our award recipients, and thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating their success. We are proud to be part of such a talented, supportive, and inspiring community.

📸 Swipe through to see highlights from the evening!

04/23/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Heidi Vuletich on being named a 2026 Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science!

This prestigious designation recognizes outstanding early-career researchers whose innovative work is already advancing the field and shows exceptional promise for future contributions to psychological science.

We are so proud to see this national recognition of her impactful research and contributions to the field. 👏

04/17/2026

✨ Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Erika Manczak

We’re excited to share that Erika has been awarded a grant from the Mental Research Institute (MRI), an organization dedicated to supporting innovative research that advances understanding of human behavior and relationships.

Her project, “Offspring distress as a threat to health: Adolescents’ depressive symptoms as predictors of parents’ chronic disease risk,” explores the powerful connection between adolescent mental health and long-term physical health outcomes within families.

MRI grants support cutting-edge, systemic approaches to psychology and are typically awarded to projects that aim to improve understanding of human relationships and wellbeing.

Congratulations to Erika on this exciting achievement and impactful work! 👏

04/16/2026

Curious about how the brain shapes the way we think, feel, and behave? 🧠

The Cognitive Neuroscience concentration—offered within the Psychology major at the University of Denver—explores the connection between mind and brain through an interdisciplinary approach combining Psychology and Biological Sciences. Students gain insight into the biological and physiological foundations of behavior, while also engaging with topics like brain imaging, clinical applications, and pharmacology.

This concentration is a great fit for students interested in careers in healthcare, research, or clinical practice—or anyone looking to better understand how the brain works.

To learn more, visit: https://liberalarts.du.edu/academics-admissions/programs-ug/bs-psychology

Address

2155 S Race Street
Denver, CO
80210

Telephone

+13038712478

Website

http://www.du.edu/ahss/psychology/index.html

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