Baylor Psychology Professor Named a ‘Rising Star’ by the Association for Psychological Science

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WACO, Texas (Jan. 19, 2018) — Annie T. Ginty, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience in the College of Arts & Sciences at Baylor University, has been selected as a “Rising Star” by the Association for Psychological Science (APS), the leading international organization dedicated to advancing scientific psychology across disciplinary and geographic borders.

According to APS, individuals who are considered for Rising Star designation are evaluated for their promise of excellence in research based on significant publications, recognitions, discoveries, methodological innovations or theoretical or empirical contributions with potentially broad impact.

“I feel honored to be named a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science. This award is a reflection of Baylor’s commitment to high-level research and dedication to supporting early-career academics,” Ginty said. “I am fortunate to be part of an environment that provides outstanding resources. I am thankful to be in a department with highly supportive colleagues and a department chair who is always willing to answer questions.”

Ginty’s research examines how the brain links psychological experiences, such as stress, with changes that affect health. Her particular focus is on how the neurobiology of the peripheral nervous system and the cardiovascular responses to stress relate to unhealthy behaviors and future disease.

“The APS Rising Star program is designed to recognize scholars who have been highly productive during the early part of their career and also show great potential for sustained research excellence. Dr. Ginty is exactly that kind of scholar,” said Chuck Weaver, Ph.D., professor and chair of psychology and neuroscience. “Her work on stress and stress reactivity is genuinely interdisciplinary, combining psychophysiological, neuroendocrine and epidemiological approaches. We are delighted to have her as a colleague and excited to see what she will accomplish in the future.”

Ginty is the second Baylor faculty member to be named an APS Rising Star. Last year, Michael Scullin, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of Baylor’s Sleep Neuroscience and Cognition Laboratory, earned the designation. Scullin’s research focuses on identifying how sleep physiology and sleep habits affect memory and cognition across the adult lifespan.

“These dynamic young scholars are shining examples of the quality of faculty member the department of psychology and neuroscience is bringing to Baylor University,” said Truell Hyde, Ph.D., vice provost for research at Baylor. “The fact that both were also recognized prior to their APS awards as Baylor Rising Stars also shows how quickly their potential for research excellence was noticed. Watching new faculty start such promising careers is a joy and it is a great pleasure to have them both at Baylor.”

Ginty said she encourages students who aspire to be scientists never to stop asking questions.

“Curiosity is an incredible trait. Too often, students are afraid to ask questions, possibly because they do not want to appear uneducated or misinformed. However, asking questions allows a scientist to dive deeper, push boundaries and answer questions,” Ginty said.

by Joy Moton, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.