CCSU Department of Psychological Science

09/15/2025

Please join us for a Lea Lennon’s thesis defense on Wednesday, September 17th, at 1:30 in my office (217 Marcus White Hall). Lea’s thesis is on

Food Expectancies and Binge Eating: The Moderating Role of Food Cravings

Thesis Advisor

Carolyn R. Fallahi, Ph. D.

Committee Members: Drs. Amanda Marin-Chollom and James Conway

09/11/2025

Dear Central Family,

As we mark the 24th anniversary of September 11, 2001, we pause to remember and reflect on a day that forever changed our nation. The events of that day—the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93—are etched into our collective memory.

We remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, including the brave first responders and the courageous individuals on Flight 93, whose heroism prevented further tragedy. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the American spirit and the importance of coming together in the face of adversity. It is a day to honor the sacrifices made and to reaffirm our commitment to a world where we can all live in peace and safety.

At Central Connecticut State University, we are dedicated to fostering a community built on a foundation of mutual respect, empathy, and understanding. As we reflect on this solemn anniversary, I encourage each of you to hold onto the values that unite us.

By working together, we can honor the memory of those we lost by building a brighter, more compassionate future for all.

Sincerely,

Zulma Toro
President

08/25/2025

Greetings!

The John Lewis Institute for Social Justice is currently recruiting scholars for the 2025-2026 academic year.

John Lewis left a powerful legacy of service that profoundly shaped social justice efforts in the United States. Our goal is to instill in our students a spirit of service rooted in social justice, so that they may become stewards of their communities.
To further this mission, we are recruiting student scholars with a passion for social justice. The JLI Scholar Program is a year-long academic and leadership initiative that empowers CCSU students to engage deeply with issues of social justice, advocacy, and civic leadership (on campus, in New Britain, and beyond). Scholars take two 3-credit courses (during the fall, the Foundations of Social Justice course (JLI 201) will begin on October 21st and will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:05-5:45), complete hands-on community and campus-based projects, connect with social justice leaders, and build lasting networks with peers and mentors. Students also receive a stipend for participating!
As we begin the new academic year and students finalize their fall schedules, we are asking for your assistance in recruiting applicants to the JLI program. If you have any students who you think might be a good fit for the program, encourage them to apply.
Grounded in the legacy and vision of Congressman John Lewis, the program offers students a transformative opportunity to develop as public scholars and advocates for justice. More information is available at: www.ccsu.edu/johnlewisinstitute
Students from all majors and backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Faculty and chairs are also welcome to nominate or personally encourage students to Apply to Become a JLI Scholar
For additional information, please contact Juan Coronado (jdcoronado@ccsu.edu) or Candice Wallace (candice.wallace@ccsu.edu), who serve as the JLI Co-Directors.
Thank you,

Dr. Candice Wallace
Associate Professor
Department of Psychological Science
Central Connecticut State University

About the JLI Scholar ProgramThe John Lewis Institute for Social Justice (JLI) Scholar Program at Central Connecticut State University (Central) seeks to honor the legacy of Representative John Lewis by cultivating social justice leaders. The program is designed to empower students to become advocat...

08/12/2025

Amy Collier's APA presentation (and thesis) entitled: The relationship between emotional wellness and functioning among patients with chronic pain. Additional authors include Dr. Emily O. Wakefield, Dr. Carolyn R. Fallahi, Dr. Joanne DiPlacido, and Vaishali Belamkar.

08/12/2025

Wishing Amy Collier the best as she leaves with her MA in Psychology this week and travels to Old Dominion in Virginia to pursue her Ph.D. in Health Psychology! You will be missed Amy!

08/12/2025

Drs. Carolyn Fallahi and Joanne DiPlacido as well as Amy Collier, Liz McCall, and Ashley Carter (along with Mary Lippa, Payton Chabre, and Dr. John Protzko) presented their work on Political Climate Trauma and Health Outcomes: The Role of Minority Stress and Coping Among Sexual Minorities at the Division 44 APA: Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity last weekend!

08/12/2025

Ashley Carter, Dr. Carolyn Fallahi, and Dr. Joanne DiPlacido presented The Potential for Growth Following Adverse Childhood Experiences at APA this past weekend!

08/12/2025

Look who I found at the American psychological Association! Dr. Fallon ... we miss you!

08/07/2025

Samantha James-Brown presents her poster on Artificial Intelligence and Historical Empathy at the American psychological Association. Samantha worked with Dr. John Protzko on this study! Dr. Fallahi and students, Amy Collier, Liz McCall, and Ashley Carter all cheered her on! Congratulations Samantha! APA is being held in Denver, CO. this year!

07/29/2025

Dear Central family,

Coming up on Tuesday, August 5, we have a great opportunity to engage with our neighbors during the annual National Night Out at Osgood Park in New Britain.

National Night Out is an annual community-building event that promotes police-community partnerships in neighborhoods across the country. Members of the Central Police Department and Center for Community Engagement will be part of the event by hosting a table , and I encourage you to stop by and support them any time between 5 pm and 9 p.m. I know they would appreciate a little extra Central spirit throughout the evening!

Let's come together, have fun, and showcase the incredible work Central is doing. I look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,

Zulma Toro
President

06/27/2025

06/20/2025

Dear all,

I hope you are well. I wanted to let you know that one of our graduate students, Ms. Ameira Hernandez, will be defending her MA thesis titled: “Measuring the Autism Spectrum Disorder Female Phenotype” on Tuesday 6/24/2025 at 11:00AM via Teams. You can find below her thesis abstract and the information to the virtual event.

Advisor: Dr. Corbera Lopez
Readers: Dr. Carolyn Fallahi (CCSU) and Dr. Rebecca Wood (CCSU)

Abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has historically been characterized and diagnosed based on the presentation of symptoms in males, leading to a significant underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of females with ASD. This capstone study examined the female ASD phenotype, which includes unique behavioral, social, and cognitive characteristics that diverge from traditional diagnostic frameworks. Through an extensive literature review, this study explored the biological, neurological, and psychological factors influencing ASD diagnosis in females, the limitations of current standardized assessments, and the barriers that contribute to the late or missed diagnosis of females with ASD. The study aimed to provide recommendations for improving ASD assessments to enhance diagnostic accuracy and accessibility for females, which would ultimately help address gaps in research and clinical practice. For that purpose, the extensive literature review assisted in the development of a comprehensive checklist of female-specific ASD traits to evaluate the accuracy of existing diagnostic tools in capturing these characteristics. Eight commonly used diagnostic measures for ASD were thoroughly examined, ADOS-2, ADI-R, CARS-2, DISCO, 3di, SCQ, CAT-Q, and M-CHAT, and were assessed against each of the symptom characteristics of the checklist. From that examination, a set of recommendations were developed, which suggested for an optimal assessment of the ASD female traits to use a complementary battery of tools, specifically, the ADOS-2, ADI-R, and CAT-Q along with targeted clinical queries to better identify ASD in females. By refining diagnostic methods, this research sought to improve early detection and support for females on the spectrum, reducing the prevalence of misdiagnosis and associated mental health challenges.

Link to the meeting:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YjliNjQwM2EtZmI4MC00MGI1LTllYzgtZmU2N2Y2NjU0OTI0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%222329c570-b580-4223-803b-427d800e81b6%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22addf7865-bae2-467d-85ef-d23c0249775d%22%7d


All the best,

Sílvia Corbera López, Ph.D.