CAS 2026 Commencement Highlights
Highlights from the June 15 University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences commencement ceremonies at Autzen Stadium and Matthew Knight Arena.
Psychology
Eight faculty members receive Distinguished Teaching Awards
ANTHROPOLOGY, ENGLISH, PSYCHOLOGY - Eight University of Oregon instructors across campus were celebrated for their remarkable work in the classroom. Among the winners, half are in the College of Arts and Sciences: Alison Carter, associate professor anthropology; Katelyn McDonough, assistant professor anthropology; Anne Mannering, assistant teaching professor and director in psychology; and Courtney Thorsson, associate professor of English.
Increasing the societal impact of CAS research
PSYCHOLOGY - Getting research published is a necessary step for academics. But faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences aim to do more. Among the faculty who presented at the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation's Week of Research and Innovation, Ann Swindells Professor of Clinical Psychology Nick Allen spoke about why he took his research to a startup company.
A researcher takes on one of the unsolved mysteries of the universe
PHYSICS - Fascinated by the unexplored corners of the universe since childhood, physicist Tien-Tien Yu has made dark matter the pillar of her research career. In her quest to understand, she’s co-founded a major experiment in collaboration with physicists at other institutions, all of whom are trying try to bring light to the dark.
Large national study finds minimal link between smartphone use and well-being in adults
PSYCHOLOGY - A new study led by researchers at the University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences in collaboration with Google Research found little evidence linking smartphone use with mental well-being in adults. Researchers analyzed more than 250,000 days of smartphone usage from more than 10,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and up.
The surprising science of adolescent brains
PSYCHOLOGY - Adolescence isn’t a time of dysfunction; it’s a peak period of brain development, adaptability, and growth. Jennifer Pfeifer, a psychology professor at the College of Arts and Sciences, discusses at the 2025 TEDxPortland that it’s time to flip the script and recognize that young people are acting exactly as they’re wired to, and are capable of far more than we’ve been led to believe.
Workshop explores role of episodic memory in psychological disorders
Different mental health disorders can present drastically different symptoms, but many share a common thread: disruptions to episodic memory, or the ability to recall personal experiences. Students, faculty and staff in the Department of Psychology explored the role of episodic memory in mental health disorders during a recent workshop on “Episodic Memory as a Window to Understand Psychopathology.
Two psychology faculty members named ‘rising stars’
PSYCHOLOGY - Two of the Psychology department’s newest faculty members, assistant professors Lauren Forrest and Tina Gupta, were recognized as Association for Psychological Science Rising Stars, an award presented to early-career researchers who are advancing the field. The organization also named Psychology department head Sara Hodges an APS fellow.
Unlocking the Secrets of Lifelong Health
HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGY - Our health is affected by factors that take root in early childhood and follow us our entire lives. Explore CAS research on a range of health issues, from how sleep affects infant development to what causes age-related memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Read more in the Annual Research Report, out now!
A Brain on Music
PSYCHOLOGY - Since earning his PhD from the Department of Psychology in 1996 under the joint supervision of professors emeriti Douglas Hintzman and Michael Posner, Levitin has become one of the most prominent figures in cognitive science. During a recent visit to campus to donate his papers to the UO Libraries’ Special Collections and University Archives, Levitin delivered a guest lecture about his new book to students.