At the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, psychology researchers are exploring these questions through a growing network of labs focused on sleep, cognition, and human-AI interaction.

Across three specialized lab spaces, faculty and students are examining how biological, cognitive, and technological forces intersect to shape human behavior. From tracking brain activity during sleep to modeling how stress affects memory and studying how people interact with AI systems, their work is helping answer questions that are increasingly relevant in everyday life.

Measuring Sleep and Its Consequences

In the department鈥檚 Biobehavioral Laboratory, often referred to simply as the sleep lab, Dr. David Mastin studies how sleep and sleepiness affect everyday life.

Sleep affects nearly every aspect of daily functioning, from reaction time and memory to mood and overall health. According to Mastin, many people operate at a deficit without realizing it.

鈥淎lmost everyone carries a sleep debt,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like being overdrawn in your checking account. You owe your body sleep.鈥�

He also notes that modern life makes that debt difficult to avoid, as artificial light, technology, and constant stimulation can disrupt natural sleep patterns and keep people from getting the rest they need.

That deficit can have serious consequences. Even one night without sleep can significantly impair performance.

鈥淚f you pull an all-nighter and we put you on a driving simulator, you would make as many mistakes as someone who is legally drunk,鈥� Mastin said.

The space is equipped with tools designed to measure brain activity, including electroencephalography (EEG), which tracks brain waves during different stages of sleep. A nap bed and observation room allow researchers to monitor eye and body movement without disturbing participants, while biofeedback equipment measures the body鈥檚 physiological responses to different stimuli.

Beyond these tools, the lab also relies on controlled sleep tests that measure alertness and fatigue, providing objective data that can be compared with how participants report feeling.

Much of the lab鈥檚 research extends beyond campus. Mastin and his students frequently work in the community. Right now, for instance, they are studying firefighters to better understand how sleep impacts performance in high-stakes environments. 

As part of this research, Mastin and his students attended a firefighter convention in Hot Springs to interview participants about their sleep habits. The next step is to digitize the survey to reach firefighters across different regions and cultures, with the goal of improving both their well-being and performance. 

Students play an active role in the research process, contributing to ongoing studies and developing their own projects under faculty guidance. Through this work, the lab connects physiological measurement with real-world behavior, bridging psychology with biological and health sciences to show how sleep quietly shapes nearly every part of daily life.

Understanding How We Think Under Stress

Just down the hall, Dr. Colton Hunter鈥檚 cognitive psychology lab focuses on how stress shapes the way people process and remember information.

Hunter鈥檚 research centers on working memory, the short-term ability to hold and manipulate information. Specifically, he studies how socioeconomic status influences cognition, examining how stress from factors such as income, education, and environment contribute to changes in how people process and recall information 鈥� highlighting how psychological processes are shaped by broader economic and social forces.. His primary research examines the effects of financial worry on working memory.

鈥淭he idea is that your financial problems might be occupying mental resources,鈥� Hunter said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like the equivalent of having too many tabs open on your computer. It鈥檚 going to slow down performance.鈥�

In one common task used in his lab, participants are briefly shown a set of colored squares before the image disappears and reappears. They are then asked to determine whether anything has changed. While the task appears simple, it allows researchers to measure how much information a person can hold in mind, how accurately they respond, and how quickly they process what they see. 

These tasks are paired with socioeconomic survey data and written responses in which participants reflect on financial stressors, personal challenges, and neutral daily experiences. Hunter鈥檚 research explores whether financial stress uniquely impairs cognitive performance compared to other types of stress.

鈥淭he idea is that for participants from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, writing about financial worries would potentially take away from their working memory performance more than a neutral event, but also more than any other type of stressor,鈥� Hunter said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 something special about financial stress.鈥�

A key feature of the lab is a high-powered computing system that allows Hunter to run complex statistical models and analyze large amounts of data quickly 鈥� work that would otherwise take days or even weeks.

The lab integrates students into every stage of the research process. Undergraduate participants contribute to ongoing studies as participants, while others serve as research assistants through independent study, gaining hands-on experience in experimental design, data collection, and analysis. This approach also allows Hunter to examine how financial worry affects cognition specifically within the student population.

Studying the Future of Human-AI Interaction

In the department鈥檚 newest lab, Dr. Mohsen Rafiei is exploring one of psychology鈥檚 quickest evolving frontiers 鈥� how humans interact with artificial intelligence.

Rafiei鈥檚 lab focuses on human-AI interaction, examining how people use, interpret, and trust increasingly sophisticated systems. 

鈥淲e are trying to understand how people interact with AI,鈥� Rafiei said. 鈥淲e want to understand how you as a human being interact with a smart system so we can learn to optimize that system for you.鈥�

One current project looks at how students use AI in their daily lives, including whether they trust the results from their questions 鈥� and whether or not that trust is warranted.

鈥淎I systems are probabilistic, which means there is always a good chance they are wrong,鈥� he said. 鈥淢any students don鈥檛 know this and trust whatever answer they are given. Our goal is to learn how to optimize this so we can address this problem.鈥�

To study these interactions, Rafiei鈥檚 lab is equipped with advanced tools that allow researchers to observe both behavior and brain activity in real time. Eye-tracking technology reveals where users focus their attention on a screen, while EEG and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) systems measure which areas of the brain are active during interaction. Virtual reality headsets allow researchers to build immersive environments 鈥� such as a classroom with an AI assistant 鈥� and study how people respond in more lifelike scenarios. 

The lab also houses an incredibly powerful computer, known as an AI cluster, that allows researchers to run and customize AI models locally. By operating outside of internet-based systems, the lab can test models in a controlled environment without privacy concerns, giving researchers the ability to study how people interact with AI systems specifically designed for the experiment.

Together, these tools allow Rafiei and his students to examine not only what people do when interacting with AI, but also what is happening in their minds as they do it.

The work is inherently interdisciplinary, combining psychology with neuroscience, computer science, and physiology to better understand how humans engage with increasingly intelligent systems.

Students play a key role in that process, gaining hands-on experience working with AI models and advanced research tools. Skills gained in this lab prepare them for emerging careers in human-AI interaction.

鈥淭his is a new field,鈥� Rafiei said. 鈥淲e know about human cognition and perception, but how do we interact with another intelligent system? We don鈥檛 even know all the questions we need to ask yet.鈥�

As AI systems become more advanced and increasingly human-like, the challenge becomes even more complex.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not like interacting with a tool,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 more like interacting with another intelligent being. And there are still so many open questions we need to answer.鈥�

Looking Ahead: Expanding Innovation in Psychology

Across all three labs, a common thread is clear: the future of psychology at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is increasingly hands-on, interdisciplinary, and grounded in real-world impact.

For Dr. Sherwin, chair of the Department of Psychology, the new labs mark a turning point in the department鈥檚 identity.

鈥淩esearch has clearly become more prominent,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e intentionally building a department that is more uniformly engaged in research.鈥�

That shift is being driven in large part by new faculty hires, whose work is expanding both the scope and scale of research opportunities available to students. In the past, demand for research experience often outpaced availability. Now, that dynamic is reversing.

鈥淲e went from having more students than research opportunities to suddenly being in the opposite situation,鈥� she said.

As the department grows, so does its emphasis on preparing students for careers beyond the classroom. Through lab work, students gain practical experience in skills Sherwin says are valuable across industries such as data analysis, problem-solving, and communication.

To support that growth, the department is also introducing a new 鈥淩esearch Experience鈥� course this fall, designed to give students earlier and more accessible entry into lab work. The course allows students to begin developing research skills before moving into more independent, advanced projects.

鈥淧eople don鈥檛 always realize how marketable research skills are,鈥� Sherwin said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 really where our discipline shines at the undergraduate level 鈥� teaching students how to manage and present data, think critically and analytically, and answer questions effectively.鈥�

As psychology continues to intersect with fields like artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and data science, the work happening at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is positioned at the forefront of that shift.

With new labs, advanced technology, and a growing emphasis on student-driven research, the department is not only keeping pace with the future of the discipline 鈥� it is helping define it.

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After nearly three decades in public service, Hughes is preparing to retire from her role as chief administrative officer and deputy director of airport finance, people, and culture at Dallas Love Field. She will officially retire on May 12.

Hughes didn鈥檛 set out to work in aviation. A native of Pine Bluff and a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she studied psychological science, she planned to go into training and development, focusing on workplace environments. That changed after an internship with the city of Little Rock opened the door to municipal government.

鈥淟eadership is not in a book,鈥� Hughes said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about showing people you care about what鈥檚 important to them.鈥�

That belief carried her to Dallas, where she worked in the mayor and city council office. There, she saw firsthand how decisions were made and how leadership shaped a city’s direction.

鈥淚 got to see leadership from behind the curtain,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey were making the rules, not just following them.鈥�

Her move to Dallas Love Field started as a six-month assignment from the mayor and city council office.

It didn鈥檛 take long for her to find her role.

Within months, Hughes identified gaps in communication and customer service and began building solutions, including a centralized contact system for travelers and expanded use of social media. She stayed for 13 years.

At Love Field, she focused on a simple idea: if employees feel supported, travelers will too.

鈥淚f employees aren鈥檛 happy, they鈥檙e not going to make your customers happy,鈥� she said.

That approach shaped how teams operated across the airport. Hughes regularly brought employees together to talk through what travelers needed and how expectations were changing. She also paid attention to small details that affect the passenger experience.

鈥淧eople don鈥檛 think anything is clean unless they see you cleaning it,鈥� she said.

Her leadership was tested during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel slowed, and budgets tightened. Hughes worked to find cost savings while keeping employees in place, knowing they would be needed when passengers returned.

鈥淚t all came down to making sure I could keep the employees,鈥� she said.

Over time, she focused on opening doors for others, especially those who may not have considered careers in aviation.

鈥淚鈥檓 most proud of bringing people into the industry who never knew about it,鈥� she said.

She also saw shifts in leadership, particularly for women.

As she steps away, Hughes hopes the culture she helped build continues through the people she mentored and the leaders who have grown within the organization.

鈥淢y job is to create leaders,鈥� she said.

Her advice to students and young professionals is simple: stay open, be ready to adjust, and use every tool available to you.

鈥淏e prepared for your opportunity,鈥� she said. 鈥淯se every tool you have to your advantage.鈥�

鈥淚f you put good people in the world, good people will come back to you.鈥�

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The role grew out of strategic use of the department鈥檚 Marie Wilson Howells Endowment, a fund dedicated to the study of the mind. Rather than supporting traditional programming, faculty chose to invest in a dedicated AI research position with no teaching obligations, allowing for focused work in a rapidly evolving field. The move builds on ongoing efforts to integrate AI into the discipline, including updated coursework and faculty development.

Jozranjbar鈥檚 position is distinct from traditional academic roles. Like many other universities, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is expanding its technical AI offerings, with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in AI set to launch in fall 2026. While that program focuses on building and applying AI systems, the scholar-in-residence role asks a different set of questions 鈥� examining how AI affects human thinking, learning and decision-making. Without a teaching load, the position allows for flexible, forward-looking research that can inform institutional decisions in real time.

Her work centers on trust calibration 鈥� understanding when people overtrust or undertrust AI systems and how that impacts learning. As AI becomes more common in educational settings, that question is increasingly important. The role also brings a psychological science perspective to AI, applying frameworks around trust, bias and decision-making to better understand how people interact with these systems. In addition to research, Jozranjbar contributes to university-wide conversations on AI strategy, ethics and policy, and supports outreach efforts aimed at improving AI literacy.

One of her key contributions this year is the development of an AI literacy curriculum, currently being piloted in introductory psychology courses with the goal of broader adoption across the department. The curriculum gives students across disciplines a practical understanding of how AI works and how to use it responsibly, with each module shaped by classroom feedback.

鈥淪tudents in every field need a practical mental model of how AI works,鈥� Jozranjbar said, 鈥渨here it can help, where it can fail, and how to use it responsibly.鈥�

Jozranjbar鈥檚 impact extends beyond her research portfolio. Women have long been underrepresented in STEM fields, and the gap has become more pronounced with the rise of AI, where women make up a small fraction of researchers, tenure-track faculty and senior leadership roles globally. That underrepresentation is not simply a pipeline issue. When the teams designing and studying AI lack diverse perspectives, the systems they build risk reflecting those same blind spots. Her presence in a role dedicated to researching how AI affects human thinking, trust and decision-making brings a perspective the field needs.

鈥淲omen in STEM is a big issue in academia,鈥� Elisabeth Sherwin, chair of the Department of Psychological Science, said. 鈥淗aving our inaugural scholar be a woman with a hard-science focus was particularly gratifying.鈥�

Jozranjbar will join the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty as a full-time member next year, bringing with her the research momentum, institutional relationships and AI literacy work she has built during this inaugural year. What started as a creative use of an endowment has become something larger 鈥� a model for how a psychology department can navigate a fast-moving technological moment without losing sight of the human questions at its center. The work is ongoing, and the questions Jozranjbar is asking about trust, learning and what it means to think alongside machines are becoming increasingly relevant.

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Acclaimed scholar will speak on AI, creativity, and the future of work in his free public talk, Thinking, Work, and Creativity in the Age of AI, on March 31 at 5:30 p.m. Open to students, faculty, staff, and the broader Little Rock community this event is part of the university鈥檚 ongoing commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue around the issues that matter most to our region and our world.

鈥淒r. Bowen is a dynamic, charismatic Renaissance man and a gifted speaker, so he is particularly well-suited to offer a public talk. We hope the community takes advantage of his visit and attends his talk,鈥� said Dr. Elisabeth Sherwin, Chair and Professor of the Department of Psychological Science.聽

While the public talk is a highlight, it鈥檚 just one part of a broader visit designed to engage the campus in meaningful, practical ways. Dr. Bowen will deliver four presentations focused on AI.

On Tuesday, March 31, he will lead a full-day workshop, sponsored by the Department of Psychological Science and the Marie Wilson Howells鈥� Endowment, co-sponsored by the Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence (ATLE), and supported by the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education. The workshop will cover AI literacy, tools, prompting techniques, and practical strategies for designing AI-informed assignments, while addressing issues such as grading and academic integrity. That evening at 5:30 p.m., in the Engineering and Information Technology (EIT) auditorium, Dr. Bowen will give a public talk on how AI is transforming work, communication and human creativity. 

On Wednesday, April 1, Dr. Bowen will host a student session with the Student Government Association (SGA), on thriving in an AI-driven world, then conclude with a second workshop on redesigning online courses for the age of AI, covering strategies to improve learning, support academic integrity and integrate custom AI tools.

For Sherwin, who helped organize the visit, bringing Dr. Bowen to campus is a natural expression of what Trojans do 鈥� trying new approaches, forging unique partnerships and seeking creative solutions.

鈥淲e are 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, that means we are part of the greater Little Rock metropolitan community,鈥� Sherwin said. 鈥淭o the Department of Psychological Science, that means that what we do should benefit the communities of which we are part, whether our students, faculty and staff or the larger public. In this instance, it includes a public-facing opportunity with speakers we invite. This maximizes impact and provides insight into the issues we engage with, which have recently included wrestling with the current disruptor 鈥� artificial intelligence.鈥�

Bowen鈥檚 visit is one of several efforts the Department of Psychological Science has led to help campus and the broader community grapple with AI鈥檚 growing impact. Events like this public talk extend that work beyond campus walls, inviting the broader community to think critically and creatively alongside the campus. This talk is free and open to the public. At 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, we believe that when our community learns together, everyone moves forward. Visit the event page for full event details, including date, time, and location.

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A senior psychology major and standout , Little is entering his fourth season on the mat with an impressive 60-12 record and two All-American honors. But beyond his athletic accolades, he鈥檚 equally proud of what he鈥檚 accomplished in the classroom.

鈥淚 chose to major in psychology because I want to go to physical therapy school after I graduate,鈥� Little said. 鈥淚 spend a lot of time in the training room keeping my body healthy for wrestling, so learning more about how people think, feel, and stay motivated connects really well with understanding recovery and performance.鈥�

For Little, psychology and wrestling go hand in hand. He鈥檚 learned to apply lessons from his coursework directly to his performance on the mat 鈥� from understanding how the brain processes stress to staying composed during high-pressure matches.

鈥淪tudying psychology has taught me a lot about how people handle pressure and emotion,鈥� he said. 鈥淓veryone gets butterflies or nerves because we鈥檙e all human. What matters is finding your own way to deal with them. For me, I just focus on preparation and trust the work I鈥檝e put in.鈥�

Being a Division I athlete while maintaining academic excellence isn鈥檛 easy, but Little credits consistency and discipline for keeping him on track. 

鈥淎fter long practices or lifts, it can be tough to find motivation to study or do assignments,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I鈥檝e learned that discipline matters more than motivation. I have goals I want to achieve, so I remind myself that staying consistent in both wrestling and school is what will get me there.鈥�

That steady mindset has paid off. Over four years, he鈥檚 not only earned national recognition but also become a leader for younger teammates 鈥� someone who models what it means to compete and excel with integrity. Reflecting on his time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Little said the experience has changed him profoundly. 

鈥淚鈥檝e had a big mindset change since my freshman year,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e grown in my discipline, leadership, and time management. Balancing everything has made me more mature and helped me develop habits that I鈥檒l carry with me long after wrestling.鈥�

After graduation, Little plans to attend physical therapy school while continuing to pursue his dream of making the Olympic or World Team. 

鈥淧sychology will definitely help me in both areas,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 understanding athletes I work with as a PT or staying mentally strong through my own training and goals.鈥�

When asked about his most meaningful experience as a Trojan, Little points to a single match that defined his career. 

鈥淥ne of the most meaningful moments for me was the first time I earned All-American honors,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was a close match that went into overtime, and I got the takedown to win. Seeing my coaches, parents, and teammates after that match was amazing 鈥� it made all the hard work and sacrifices feel worth it.鈥�

As commencement approaches, Little said earning his degree is more than just crossing a finish line 鈥� it鈥檚 proof of how far he鈥檚 come. 

鈥淓arning my degree means that all the hard work paid off and I鈥檓 one step closer to my goals,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t represents years of commitment and growth, both on and off the mat, and it鈥檚 something I鈥檒l always be proud of.鈥�

The post Balancing Mind and Muscle: 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Wrestler Stephen Little鈥檚 Journey to Graduation appeared first on News.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock earned national recognition in four undergraduate programs:

路   Business 鈥� No. 194

路   Computer Science 鈥� No. 245

路   Nursing 鈥� No. 160

路   Psychology 鈥� No. 297

The evaluated more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success. 

These rankings reflect the university鈥檚 strong academic programs and its commitment to providing students with the skills and opportunities needed to succeed in today鈥檚 workforce. U.S. News & World Report evaluates programs using a variety of factors, including faculty expertise, graduation rates, research activity, and career readiness.

Chancellor Christina Drale said the recognition is a reflection of the university鈥檚 focus on both academic quality and student success.

鈥淭hese rankings demonstrate the strength of our academic programs and the dedication of our faculty and staff,鈥� Drale said. 鈥淲e are committed to ensuring our students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and experiences that prepare them to be leaders in their field.鈥�

The School of Business saw a rise of nearly 30 spots, earning a place at No. 194 in the national rankings compared to No. 222 in the 2025 rankings. As one of only two AACSB-accredited business schools in central Arkansas, the program provides students with access to internships and partnerships with top employers in the region.

鈥淲e are proud that our programs are once again recognized nationally,鈥� said Dr. Mark Funk, director of the School of Business. 鈥淥ur faculty focus on partnering with the business community to give students both the academic foundation and the applied experience they need for lifelong professional success.鈥�

The Department of Computer Science, ranked No. 245, continues to grow as a regional leader in cybersecurity and emerging technologies. The program offers a variety of pathways, including a bachelor鈥檚 degree and master鈥檚 degree in cybersecurity as well as a Ph.D. in computer and information science. The department is also home to multiple new certificate programs that are helping to upskill Arkansas鈥檚 workforce. Enrollment in the department has increased to about 480 students this year, an increase of 10 percent over last year, with about 150 students enrolled in a cybersecurity certificate or degree program. 

鈥淥ur faculty are committed to keeping curriculum cutting-edge and involving students in real-world research and development,鈥� said Dr. Ahmed Abu Halimeh, interim chair of the Department of Computer Science. 鈥淏y the time they graduate, our students have the skills and experiences that employers demand.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 School of Nursing, the university鈥檚 largest undergraduate program, offers multiple respected degree pathways, including the traditional RN, the RN-to-BSN, and the LPN/Paramedic-to-RN programs. The school has a strong focus on student-centered learning and hands-on clinical training. The Center for Simulation Innovation, which provides essential simulation education for all nursing majors, has earned international recognition for excellence, including the 2023 Frontline Simulation Champion Excellence Award.

鈥淥ur students, faculty, and staff continue to shine year after year,鈥� said Dr. Sloan Davidson, director of the School of Nursing. 鈥淭his ranking reflects the hard work they put into advancing nursing education and preparing highly skilled nurses for Arkansas鈥檚 healthcare workforce.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 psychology program was ranked No. 297. The program prepares graduates for a wide variety of fields, including counseling, research, healthcare, and education.

鈥淲e are excited to see psychology recognized nationally,鈥� said Dr. Elisabeth Sherwin, chair of the Department of Psychological Science. 鈥淔or the past several years, we have been updating our curriculum to better align it with the goals articulated by the American Psychological Association for undergraduate training as well as highlighting the workforce readiness skills that are embedded in our discipline and program. This recognition suggests that we are doing something right.鈥� 

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock remains focused on strengthening the quality of its academic programs and the support it provides to students. By emphasizing faculty development, practical learning opportunities, and the use of new technologies, the university is preparing graduates to meet the needs of Arkansas and beyond. Learn more about academics at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock by visiting ualr.edu/academics.

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