Baylor Assistant Professor Named “Rising Star” in Association for Psychological Science

Follow us on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia
Media contact: Terry Goodrich, (254) 710-3321

WACO, Texas (Feb. 2, 2017) – Michael Scullin, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience, was named a “Rising Star” by the Association for Psychological Science (APS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of scientific psychology and its representation at the national and international level.

“The Rising Star designation is given to early-career scientists by the APS for their contributions to the science thus far, and especially for their potential for future contributions,” said Charles Weaver, Ph.D., professor and chair of the psychology and neuroscience department. “Dr. Scullin fits that definition perfectly. He has been incredibly productive during the early part of his research career and is poised to become one of the leading researchers in the area of sleep neuroscience and cognition. He is a wonderful colleague and role model and we are thrilled to see him honored.”

“I feel extremely honored to have received this award,” Scullin said. “Awards are conferred to individuals, but they really reflect the environment in which the scientist works. I am blessed to have a wonderful department chair (Dr. Weaver), highly supportive colleagues and outstanding undergraduate and graduate research assistants. Baylor University is a top-notch institution for faculty to conduct research that advances science and society.”

“The main thrust of our research is to identify how sleep physiology and sleep habits affect memory and cognition across the adult lifespan,” Scullin said.

“This couldn’t be more important to students who all too often cut back on sleep during the weekdays and try to catch up on the weekends. Our work suggests that cutting back on sleep is actually impeding student learning and success. My pie-in-the-sky goal is to teach every Baylor University freshman student the importance of maintaining an eight-hour sleep schedule, even during finals week, and to help them maintain this healthy sleep habit across all four years.”

Scullin wants students to know that the department laboratory is always interested in considering new undergraduate research assistants, regardless of their major. Students interested in research opportunities can learn more about them here.

by Kelsey Dehnel, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 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. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.