What does it mean for an entire nation — not just an individual — to feel ashamed? What happens inside a family when one member becomes involved in the criminal justice system? How do people change the way they think in order to feel better? These are the questions anchoring the research recognized this year by the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences’ Distinguished Dissertation Awards. Now in its second cohort, the award honors three members of Trinity's graduating Ph.D. class who… read more about Big Questions, Bold Research: Trinity Honors 2026 Distinguished Dissertation Award Recipients »
To chart how our brains change over the course of our lives, neuroscientists have focused largely on beginnings and endings: the rapid development and pruning of neural connections in childhood and adolescence, and the degeneration associated with old age.“Think of midlife as the top of an inverted U-curve,” says Ahmad Hariri, a professor of neuroscience at Duke University in North Carolina. You spend the earlier decades on the upward slope, developing and refining your brain. You’ll likely spend decades on… read more about Duke Neuroscientist Ahmad Hariri on Why You Need to Future Proof Your Brain in Middle Age »
Duke University has been awarded $4.4 million from The Duke Endowment for the Duke Lemur Center (DLC), including support for a newly created academic director position. Primatologist and Duke alumna Elizabeth Lonsdorf (T '96) will join the DLC and the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology in this new role on Aug. 1.The new position fills a need identified by an interdisciplinary faculty review committee last year. Working with Executive Director Greg Dye, Lonsdorf will be responsible for… read more about Trinity Alumna Elizabeth Lonsdorf Joins Duke Lemur Center as New Academic Director »
When you’re in the middle of a disagreement, the person across from you can start to feel like a stranger. That’s one of the biggest reasons empathy gets harder to access mid-fight, says Patty Van Cappellen, a social psychologist at Duke University.“Conflict is typically when people see themselves as being more distant,” she says. “Like, ‘I don’t recognize this other person.’”The fix is what she calls psychological closeness. “Focus on aspects in the relationship that will bring you closer,” she advises. That might mean… read more about Duke's Patty Van Cappellen Shares The Secret to Ending Arguments Faster »
Chronic abdominal pain affects an estimated 10–15% of children and is a leading cause of school absence and daily disruption for families. For many children, the experience does more than hurt—it teaches them something potentially harmful: that their bodies cannot be trusted.A new study by researchers at Duke University challenges that assumption, suggesting that how children learn to relate to their bodies may be just as important as how their symptoms are treated. Led by Nancy Zucker, PhD, the research team… read more about Duke Psychologist Nancy Zucker's New Study Reframes How We Treat Chronic Pain »
For the past few years as a Duke undergraduate student, Nana Osaki has studied the brain, focusing on how language changes after a stroke. During her sophomore year, she became the Blue Devil mascot – a role that depends entirely on gestures.Together, those experiences have shaped how she understands communication and how a stroke causes language to break down. Nana Osaki spent years anonymously representing Duke as the Blue Devil mascot. (Photo courtesy of Nat LeDonne) “I think a large… read more about How the Blue Devil and Brain Research Intersect »
“Brain scientists, clinicians and scholars have been dealing with tough times this past year,” said Marc Sommer, director of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (DIBS). He noted that, although Duke’s schools and departments have been very supportive in helping their faculty and research groups with bridge funding and other initiatives, there’s an opportunity for DIBS to lend additional assistance during challenging financial moments.“DIBS has focused specifically on ways to support graduate students and… read more about Ph.D. Fellowships Provide Valuable Support for the Duke Brain Sciences Community »
Kora Sotunde is a senior from Atlanta, Georgia majoring in Sociology with a minor in Psychology and a Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In addition to serving as a Trinity Ambassador, she is also vice president of the Body Empowerment Club, a writer for The Coop Magazine and a Pilates instructor at Duke Rec. A self-described creative, she also enjoys interior design projects and DJing — something she first learned through a Duke course. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in marketing strategy.… read more about Kora Sotunde '26: Finding Creativity and Direction at Duke »
April is Stress Awareness Month, and a time to recognize the impacts of stress on mental and physical health. It’s also a time to encourage reflection about healthy ways to cope, like mindfulness, exercise, rest, and leaning on social supports. Bridgette Hard, Professor of the Practice of Psychology and Neuroscience (Photo courtesy of Hard) With LDOC on the horizon, that means final exams are also around the corner. If your stress level is rising, you’re likely not alone. Few… read more about Stressed Out About Finals? A Psychology Professor Shares What Works »
On April 16, over 100 Duke University students presented their research at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.Students presented posters, gave flash talks, shared their senior theses and attended lectures with Duke alumni. Discover some of the highlights of the day. read more about Discovery on Display at the Undergraduate Research Symposium »
The Office for Faculty Advancement has awarded seed grants to seven new projects led by Duke faculty members. The theme for this grant cycle is “Building Community and Strengthening Networks to Improve the Faculty Experience.”Faculty were invited to propose innovative initiatives to build community, creative approaches to address specific mentorship needs, and novel approaches to improve the faculty experience.The seed grant program will provide financial support for these projects through April 2027. Project leaders… read more about Trinity Faculty Awarded Seed Grants by Duke Office of Faculty Advancement »
Cristina Salvador, Susan W. Beltz and A. Morris Williams, Jr. Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, has been awarded the Rising Star award from the Association for Psychological Science.The Association for Psychological Science (APS) is an international nonprofit organization promoting protection and advancements in psychological research, teachings and human welfare. Founded in 2009, the Rising Star award recognizes early-career researchers across the globe whose innovative work advances the field and signals… read more about Cristina Salvador Named Association for Psychological Science Rising Star »
Eight honorees, including two Trinity College of Arts & Sciences students, received Climate Commitment Leadership Awards at the annual Duke Climate Commitment Celebration event Thursday, April 9.The awards recognize students, staff, and faculty who demonstrate leadership in climate and sustainability efforts in support of Duke’s Climate Commitment and who embody its vision. This year’s group came from across Duke, demonstrating how the Climate Commitment is being advanced through education, research, community… read more about Two Trinity Students Honored at Climate Commitment Awards »
During Full Frame week in downtown Durham, Belem Destefani moves with quiet purpose. A volunteer has a question about their shift. A filmmaker needs to do a tech check for their film. A screening is about to let out, and the lobby is filling fast. Destefani takes it all in, then pivots to the next task. “I like to think of my role as putting everything together,” she says. “Giving people the tools they need, then trusting them to do what they do best.” Since 2024, Destefani (T’09) has served as Operations Director… read more about From Trinity to Full Frame by Means of Curiosity »
Duke University has awarded distinguished professorships to 38 faculty and will recognize them in a ceremony at the Washington Duke Inn on May 18.“I am delighted to recognize these faculty members with distinguished professorships,” said President Vincent E. Price. “Their work reflects a deep commitment to excellence in research and education, advancing new ideas and discoveries that benefit society and inspire future generations.”Distinguished professorships honor faculty who are well-established members of the Duke… read more about Seven Trinity Faculty Members Among Duke's New Distinguished Professors »
The Bass Connection team, Duke iGEM: Synthetic Biology for Human Health and Society (Duke iGEM), earned a gold medal at the 2025 International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Jamboree for its project RESPIRA: Responsive Engineered Strain for Polymicrobial Infection Recovery in Airways. Students from across Trinity College of Arts and Sciences and Pratt School of Engineering comprise the core of Duke iGEM. Cameron Kim, assistant professor of the practice in Biomedical Engineering explains that RESPIRA… read more about Duke iGEM Team Wins Gold at 2025 International Jamboree »
Thomas Newpher, associate professor of the practice of Psychology and Neuroscience, has been newly elected as a Councilor for Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (FUN).FUN is an international organization supporting neuroscience research and education at the undergraduate level. They work to support more than 400 members who teach, mentor, and conduct research with undergraduates across a variety of institutions. Their mission is to support neuroscience faculty, enhance undergraduate participation in… read more about Thomas Newpher Elected as Councilor for Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience »
Dorsa Amir, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, was recently announced as a recipient of the 2026 APS Janet Taylor Spence Award for Transformative Early Career Contributions by the Association for Psychological Scientists (APS). First awarded in 2010 and named after APS’s first president, the Spence Award honors particularly creative and promising APS members who embody the future of the field. This year, it recognizes six psychological scientists conducting cutting-edge research on topics ranging from… read more about Dorsa Amir Receives 2026 Janet Taylor Spence Award for Transformative Early Career Contributions »
How do children learn to cooperate with others? A new cross-‑cultural study suggests that the answer depends less on universal rules and more on the social norms surrounding the child. In the study, researchers examined how more than 400 children ages five to 13 from the United States, Canada, Peru, Uganda and the Shuar communities of Ecuador behaved in situations involving fairness, trust, forgiveness and honesty. The team also surveyed children and adults in each community to understand what people believed was… read more about How Cultural Norms Shape Childhood Development »
Dr. Sarah Gaither, principal investigator of Duke’s Identity and Diversity lab, reminds us that our identities aren’t fixed labels, but rather living proof of who we are and how our experiences shape us. Everyone interacts in different contexts, whether that be with a boss, a friend, or a grandparent. Gaither and her team explore how multiple identities, including racial and cultural ones, can change over time or between contexts and interactions. The Gaither Lab has contributed to a better understanding of mixed identities… read more about Understanding Mixed Identity Through Sarah Gaither’s Research »
In Minna Ng’s “Neuroscience Service Learning” course, students create hands-on brain activities for after-school camps run by the Durham Children’s Initiative and the Downtown Durham YMCA.“One of my students got recruited to be a counselor for their summer camp to work with the kids and train other counselors,” says Ng, who is assistant professor of the practice of psychology and neuroscience. “She took the activities we created, made them better and reported back to me, saying ‘This doesn’t work, this works really well,… read more about How Two Trinity Faculty Members Are Bringing Coursework Into the Community »
The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is proud to announce that senior Claire Heyne has been honored as the recipient of the 2025–2026 Jerome S. Bruner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research. Heyne exemplifies the intellectual curiosity, rigor, and commitment to meaningful scholarship that the Bruner Award recognizes.Originally from Owatonna, Minnesota, where opportunities to engage in research were limited, Heyne’s journey into psychological research began at Duke University. Her interest was sparked during… read more about Senior Claire Heyne Receives 2025-2026 Jerome S. Bruner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research »
Stepping on campus, Eric Wang knew he wanted to pursue a track of study connected to research and medicine. Initially leaning toward a Chemistry or Biology major, that trajectory changed his sophomore year — thanks to Bass Connections. “Before joining the Language, Music and Dementia project team, I only saw music as an artistic endeavor and didn’t realize that it could literally shape the physical structure and functional networks of the brain,” the senior confesses. “That was my ‘aha moment’ and the… read more about When Research Hits the Right Notes »
When Jasmin Riley opens an email from her younger sister with another college essay draft, she smiles. Editing those sentences feels like déjà vu — back to childhood afternoons playing “school.”“When I was as young as seven, I used to make my sister play school with me,” Riley recalls, laughing. “I would handwrite assignments, grade them and try to make her the genius in the class.” read more about Rediscovering a Love of Teaching Through Interdisciplinary Learning »
Terrie Moffitt and Avshalom Caspi offer feedback on a major genetic analysis of over a million people indicates that 14 supposedly distinct psychiatric conditions actually share significant biological overlaps, clustering into five underlying genetic groups rather than existing as separate disorders. read more about Supposedly Distinct Psychiatric Conditions May Have Same Root Causes »
Duke’s Trinity College of Arts & Sciences has invited its faculty to submit proposals for the creation of new research initiatives on campus.Following the successful launches of the SPACE Initiative and the Society-Centered AI Initiative, the Trinity Research Initiative will support new directions for interdisciplinary research through seed funding for nascent research collaborations, community-building, and complementary educational and outreach activities.Open to all areas of research and… read more about Trinity College of Arts & Sciences Invites Proposals for New Research Initiatives »
Program II has launched a bold initiative that puts students directly into the worlds they hope to change. The inaugural cohort of Annenberg Fellows for Interdisciplinary Learning and Engagement (AFIRE) represents the start of a dynamic program open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Powered by a generous gift from the Annenberg Foundation, AFIRE provides funding for internships and research opportunities that enrich and expand on a student’s individually crafted academic track. “Program II has long been known for… read more about Program II Annenberg Fellows Are Fueling the Future »
"Part of my job is to help students be resilient in the face of failure. You only gain resilience from such experiences.”When Gary Bennett, now Dean of Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, was a graduate student training in clinical psychology, he was learning to balance two demanding roles: how to conduct a research program, as most Ph.D. students do, and gain experience in clinical work. The clinical side of the training required learning how to sit with people, hold space for them, guide, counsel and deliver… read more about Freedom to Fail: How A Dean’s Lesson Shaped His Leadership »
Every year, the research intelligence company Clarivate publishes a list of Highly Cited Researchers. These researchers have multiple publications which rank in the top 1% by citation in their fields and are further selected for exemplifying excellence and integrity in their work.The Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list was recently released, and 29 Duke scholars were featured on the list of 6,868 researchers. These leading researchers hail from across Duke University, Duke Health and Duke-NUS Medical School… read more about Trinity Scholars Featured in the Highly Cited Researchers 2025 List »
You are having dinner with friends, and the conversation is lively. Do your hands join the chat, or do they stay focused on your knife and fork? New research from Duke’s Department of Psychology & Neuroscience shows that gesture is not merely a matter of individual style or habit, but a reflection of cultural expression tied to racial identity. The research also suggests that mismatched expectations about gesture may influence the dynamics of interracial communication. “The biggest… read more about Talking with Our Hands: Duke Study Reveals How Culture Shapes Our Gestures »