Chloe Bryen, a graduating senior in Psychology and Neuroscience, is the recipient of the 2017 Dashiell-Thurstone Prize.
The Dashiell-Thurstone Prize is awarded each year for the best senior honors thesis, as judged by a faculty committee. This award is named in memory of two significant figures in the life of the Department of Psychology: John Dashiell, who founded the Department in 1920, and Leon Thurstone, who founded the Psychometric Research Laboratory in 1953, which later became a significant component of the Department.
Chloe, working with her mentor Dr. Mark Hollins, won for her outstanding senior honors thesis, titled “Relationships Among Chronic Pain, Hypervigilance, and Executive Function.” In her project, Chloe asked college students to reflect back on periods of persistent pain earlier in life and then gave them tests of perception. Chloe found evidence that a history of childhood pain can affect perception in adulthood, in subtle ways that will require further research to unravel. Discovering this was a significant achievement, however, Chloe understands that real success involves not only individual achievement, but helping and empowering others. She works tirelessly to benefit Habitat for Humanity, Make-a-Wish Foundation, and an inner-city women’s shelter. In her research and in her planned career, Chloe is combining her love of science with her commitment to help others. Chloe was honored at the Psychology and Neuroscience Commencement Ceremony on May 14, 2017.