Events
Events Calendar
Join us for a host of psychology-related and social events! Psi Chi hosts and promotes a variety of different activities, both in person and virtually throughout the semester. From journal reviews and lectures by renowned researchers, to trivia games, social gatherings and relaxing craft days, there is something for everyone at every level of their education. These events are open to all, not just Psi Chi members so please feel free to join us!
Upcoming Events
Bi-Weekly Chapter Meeting
Our regular chapter meeting, open to current Psi Chi members and those interested in joining.
September 1st, 2022, 3:15-4:00pm
Recurring Events
Bi-Weekly Psi Chi Meetings
Our regular organization meetings, which occur every other week. All Psi Chi members and those interested in joining are welcome to attend!
Professors are People Too
Ever feel intimidated by your professors? Wish you could get to know them better? The Professors are People Too series is for you! Get a chance to meet and chat with professors from around the psychology department.
Journal Club
Join us for a review of a current research paper from a host of different psychological fields. A great way to practice reading scientific papers and keep apprised of the newest research!
Psychology Colloquium
The Psychology Colloquium is a monthly presentation by researchers that reviews the work currently happening within the University of Colorado System. A great opportunity to get a preview of current research as it happens!
Past Events
Psychology Colloquium:
Undergraduate Data Blitz
Department of Psychology
University of Colorado Denver
Join us as the undergraduates share the research they have been working on this semester!
April 25th, 2022, 11am-12pm
Psi Chi Volunteer Day - MOVED TO 4/22
We will be volunteering at the Food Bank of the Rockies! If you would like to join us, please fill out the RSVP form here.
April 22nd, 2022, 1-4pm
Where: Food Bank of the Rockies
Psi Chi Journal Club
Psi Chi members will be reviewing a recent article titled "Can Mindfulness Change Your Brain?" Read the article prior to the meeting, then join us for a discussion and some free pizza from iPie!
March 30th, 2022, 1-2:30pm
In Person: North Classroom Building 1511
Psychology Colloquium:
Understanding and Supporting Intimate Relationships for U.S. Soldiers
Elizabeth Allen, PhD
Professor
Department of Psychology
University of Colorado Denver
Dr. Elizabeth Allen in the Department of Psychology at CU Denver has focused her research over the past 15 years on projects focused on testing a marriage education program in the U.S. Army and exploring the connections between military stressors, individual mental health, and relationship/family dynamics. In this presentation, she will share some highlights of what she and her colleagues have learned.
March 28th, 2022, 11am-12pm
Psychology Colloquium:
The Contribution of Muscle Contractions to Exercise-Induced Hippocampal Plasticity
Justin Rhodes, PhD
Professor
Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
In this talk, Rhodes will review recent studies in the lab that isolated the contribution of muscle contractions to hippocampal plasticity outcomes. They discovered a specific effect whereby muscle contractions release factors that cause astrocytes via the blood brain barrier to contract and proliferate. The contractility of astrocytes in the hippocampus then releases factors that inhibit neuronal networks as characterized by synchronous firing of action potentials. The muscle-brain axis may hold the key to restorative mental health.
February 28th, 2022, 11am-12pm
Grad School Interview Workshop
Dr. Lindsey Hamilton
It's interview season! Join us as Dr. Hamilton gives her tips and tricks on how to ace your graduate school interview!
February 14th, 2022, 3:30-4:30pm
In Person: North Classroom Building 1511
Latinx/Hispanic Social Capital and Health: Modeling Culturally Specific Social Resources
Dr. Melissa Flores
Faculty Candidate for Multicultural Psychology
Despite a high structural risk burden, Latinx/Hispanic individuals live longer, and experience lower rates of heart disease and cancer compared with other groups. Although these "Hispanic Health Paradoxes" are consistently replicated, little is understood about the mechanisms driving them. Recent research suggests sociocultural factors including social networks and support may have the potential to explain paradoxical health outcomes; however, this research is largely theoretical. In this talk, I will present recent evidence from my program of research suggesting Latinx/Hispanic network infrastructure may be a mechanism through which paradoxes manifest. Throughout the talk, I will highlight the need to consider sophisticated modeling approaches to capture culturally specific social capital. Finally, I will discuss future research directions including my ongoing K99 work with the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, and measurement work with the Arizona Prevention Research Center.
February 10th, 2022, 2-3pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 204 737 2134
Psi Chi at the Spring '22 Student Organization Fair
Come by our table to meet our officers and members! We will have information about Psi Chi as well as goodies. We look forward to meeting you!
February 10th, 2022, 1-4pm
Tivoli Turnhalle
Eating Disorder Disparities in Queer and Transgender Young People: Pathways to Diminish Inequities
Dr. Melissa Simone
Faculty Candidate for Multicultural Psychology
Eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate across all psychiatric illnesses and have profound health consequences for those affected. Relative to their cisgender and heterosexual peers, research suggests that queer and transgender young people have between 2-6 times greater odds of developing an eating disorder. While the identification of such disparities is a critical first step, major gaps exist in our understanding of the mechanisms contributing to these inequities. This talk will review recent research findings highlighting the importance of approaching health disparities research from an intersectional and multidimensional perspective, and will describe a proposed theoretical framework for understanding eating disorder risk and protective pathways among queer and transgender young people. Finally, I will describe ongoing community-engaged research efforts that aim to elucidate malleable mechanisms underlying eating disorder onset and maintenance among queer women. In partnership with community stakeholders, this research will result in the creation and implementation of sustainable, community resources that intend to rectify psychological health disparities among queer women.
February 7th, 2022, 2-3pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 204 737 2134
Psychology Colloquium:
Studying Health-Related Behavior in the Context of Cannabis Use: The Past, Present, and Future
Carillon Skrzynski, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Bidwell Lab
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
University of Colorado Boulder
Cannabis is still classified as a schedule one drug by the federal government, with has hindered research exploring the correlates and consequences of this drug in humans. In an effort to navigate this, the Center for Health and Neuroscience, Genes, and Environment (CUChange) has implemented new methodologies (i.e., a mobile laboratory) allowing for investigations into how different cannabinoids relate to various psychological and biological outcomes in a more ecologically valid way. This presentation will briefly discuss the current state of cannabis research, the goals of CUChange in relation to expanding cannabis research, including our innovative mobile laboratory, and then two specific projects that are currently underway.