University support for psychology students

The understanding of everything from Parkinson’s disease to communication between monkeys will be improved as the University of St Andrews provides scholarships to four new psychology students.

The quartet, who originate from Brazil, Durham, Belgium and Fife, join nine other new postgraduates who are aiming to achieve a PhD over the coming years.

Rogerio Teixeira de Cunha from Brazil, who has been awarded the Brazilian CAPES award, will be working with Professor Dick Byrne, studying how monkeys communicate with one another.

Meanwhile, Andrea Loftus from Durham and Denis Sindic from Belgium will be funded by Special University Studentships, which were partly funded by the student telephone campaign. Andrea will be working with Dr Mark Mon-Williams, examining the way the brain controls the hand in reaching and grasping movements while Denis will be working with Dr Steve Reicher, studying how national identity influences the way people act when in groups.

D Mark Thomson from Kirkcaldy has been awarded a Ramsay Scholarship. Mark will be working with Head of the School of Psychology Dr Verity Brown, studying the effects of treatments for the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Dr Verity Brown said, “This is a tremendous opportunity for both the School of Psychology and the new students. The School has been consistently awarded the highest possible government research and teaching ratings, allowing us to offer the highest quality postgraduate education. The University’s action will allow the new students to fulfill their potential and become internationally outstanding researchers.”

Meanwhile, Postgraduate Tutor and Admissions Officer Dr Mark Mon- Williams said, “It is certain that this exciting initiative will enhance the standing of the School of Psychology within the international academic community. The University is to be congratulated on its bold response to the needs of overseas and mature students.”

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:- You are invited to send a reporter/photographer to the foyer of the School of Psychology, St Mary’s Quad, South Street, St Andrews at 11am on Monday 2 October 2000 when the quartet, Dr Brown and Dr Mon-Williams will be available for photographs.