Dr. Jessica Matchynski-Franks, associate professor of psychology at Rochester Christian University, recently was elected president of the Michigan Society for Neuroscience.

As president, Matchynski-Franks compiled data and wrote a report on the effectiveness of neuroscience outreach programs in Michigan. For that report, she was awarded the Society for Neuroscience’s Chapter of the Year award from over 160 worldwide chapters.

Her report largely focused on diversity initiatives and increasing collaborations between Michigan universities to improve outreach events. The Michigan Chapter received $1,000 for more outreach events, and the Society for Neuroscience presented the award to her at its annual meeting in Chicago on Oct. 21.

Dr. Gordan MacKinnon, professor of psychology and chair of the Department of Psychology, said, “I am deeply indebted to Dr.Matchynski-Franks for her dedication to students and for the strong
introductions she gives our students to neuroscience initiatives and experiments.”