The Past:
My Training and Publications

For a list of papers I've publshed, and to access downloadable .pdf versions of those papers, click here.

I have had the great good fortune to work with some of psychology's very best: Daniel Kahneman, Irvin Rock, Barbara L. Fredrickson, Stephen E. Palmer, Jonathan Schooler, Ulric Neisser, and others.

Although we never publised together, my research training/experience has also included opportunities to work with a number of others, including Art Shimamura, Paul Ekman, Dacher Keltner, James Gross, and Robert Levenson.

The Future:
Research Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

Each semester I train and supervise a team of 4-7 undergraduate research assistants. Although it is common for faculty to offer this type of opportunity only to advanced students with majors in their own departments, I welcome students at all levels and from all majors.

The most important qualifications are being dependable, hardworking, and eager to learn. Excellent oral communication skills and attention to detail are needed as well. Although advanced technical knowledge is not required, it is certainly welcome, and there are a variety of special skills that could be put to good use (e.g., knowledge of statistics and statistical software, experience with graphics software or audio/music software, computer programming skills, photography skills). I only require a one-semester commitment, but my research assistants almost always end up working with me for at least a year.

Students with scientific curiosity and a strong interest in psychology are the most likely to find the experience enjoyable, but working with faculty can also lead to a letter of recommendation for graduate school. Obviously, I cannot offer any guarantees about the future, but as of the present, my WSU research assistants have a perfect record of obtaining admission to graduate programs, five to Masters programs and two to Ph.D. programs.

As a cognitive psychologist, my interests include, but are not limited to, visual perception, human memory, and decision-making. I also have interests in emotion and in judgment & decisions related to pain and pleasure. In addition, I am always willing to consider work based on students' own interests and ideas.

If you would like to get involved with a research project (or are simply curious about what research is or what research assistants do), please feel free to get in touch with me. I would be happy to tell you about current and upcoming projects or discuss your own ideas about research projects. This is the type of experience and training that is often difficult for undergraduates to obtain at major research universities, and I strongly encourage you to take full advantage of special opportunities available at Winona State University. Don't be shy! Get involved!