Research Training

A broad range of research training opportunities are available in the Division of Psychology and the Department of Psychiatry. A formal research apprenticeship leading to the dissertation begins in the third year.  Students are encouraged to identify research mentors and become involved in research early in their training. They attend Pro-seminars during their first year where they have the opportunity to meet faculty and learn about on-going research projects. Students interested in research careers often decide to choose a mentor early in their training and volunteer on other research projects.

Three major areas of research concentration within psychology include:

• Health psychology
• Neuropsychology
• Child/adolescent psychology

Students interested in pursuing a research emphasis in any of these areas are encouraged to indicate this interest when applying to the program.

The curriculum is designed as a full-time, four-year program, including four summers of full-time work. During the academic year, students may simultaneously be involved in classes, seminars, research apprenticeship, and clinical work. Formal research apprenticeships are required for the third and fourth years. Clinical experiences are offered in a wide variety of settings. In addition, there are many other learning opportunities through workshops, seminars, conferences and Grand Rounds available through UT Southwestern. In addition, students may avail themselves to the academic resources of neighboring universities such as The University of Texas at Dallas.

Recent Student Research Projects and Mentors

Carroll Hughes, PhD
Identification of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children with an Oral Language Disorder: The Diagnostic Utility of the Quotient/ADHD System and the Impact of Executive Function and Working Memory on Diagnosis

Robert Gatchel, PhD
A Cost Utility Analysis of Multidisciplinary Early Intervention Versus Treatment as Usual for an At-Risk Population with Acute Low Back Pain

Deborah Wiebe, PhD
Parental Optimism and its Relationship to Coping and Illness Management among Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Peter Stavinoha, PhD
Fearing the Worst: An Examination of Clinically Significant Parent-Reported Anxiety in Children with Secondary Generalized Seizures

Daniel Krawczyk, PhD
Dual Systems Models of Information Processing: An fMRI Investigation of Framing Effects and Individual Differences

Laura Lacritz, PhD
Relationship Between Inflammatory Markers and Cognitive Function

Betsy Kennard, PsyD
Suicidal Ideation in Youth with Depression

Carol Tamminga, MD
The Relationship between Two Endophenotypes of Psychosis in Volunteers with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

Carol North, MD
Demographic and Mental health Predictors for Abusive Relationship Duration among Women Seeking Help for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): A Multivariate Study

Monty Evans, PhD
Validation Study of the Workplace Relationships Inventory: A Workplace Self-Report Measure of Adult Attachment Style