UT Tyler PhD Student Recognized for Clinical Psychology Research
The University of Texas at Tyler announced that Jenna Moore of Mesquite, a fourth-year student in the clinical psychology PhD program, received the Jess Hay Chancellor’s Graduate Student Research Fellowship from UT System.
The fellowship was established by former UT System Board of Regents Chairman Jess Hay to recognize exemplary graduate student research that benefits the state. Moore was awarded for her work to improve neuropsychology assessments for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and other neurocognitive disorders.
“We are very proud of Jenna and her research, which was awarded one of the most prestigious graduate fellowships in the UT System,” said Dr. Wes Hickey, dean of the College of Education and Psychology. “Our PhD students are high-achievers, and Jenna is one of the best.’’
Moore is a member of the inaugural class in UT Tyler’s clinical psychology PhD program, which began in fall 2019. She conducts research on the team of Dr. Michael Barnett, assistant professor of psychology and director of the UT Tyler Memory Assessment and Research Center. Their work includes partnering with the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County to provide neuropsychological screening and evaluation services to area residents with suspected or existing cognitive impairment.
“Jenna’s research is not only moving the field of clinical neuroscience forward, but it also is having immediate impacts on our community,” said Dr. Amy Hayes, chair of the Department of Psychology and Counseling.
Moore, who is specializing in geropsychology and neuropsychology, will receive $15,000 as part of the fellowship. “This award is an absolute honor, and I see it as an opportunity to continue my research in a productive way and contribute to the field of neuropsychology and the advancement of cognitive assessments,” she said.
With a mission to improve educational and healthcare outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs to 10,000 students. UT Tyler recently merged with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (now known as UT Tyler Health Science Center). Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center (HSC) and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.
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