Behavioral Sciences Conference of the North
BSCN is held every April and last took place on April 19, 2025
Students Hannah Huber and Sophia Thompson (left to right) won Best Oral Presentation for Analysis of the Free-Operant Preference Assessment Procedure for Domestic Cats at this year's BSCN conference.
Bernice Nisbett won Best Poster Presentation for The Mental Health Implications of the Acting White Accusation Among Multiracial People.
| Time | Presentations |
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10:00-11:00 AM SSB 118: Opening Keynote Address by Dr. Markie Twist |
Artificial Intelligence, Chatbots, and Synthetics, Oh My!: Exploring Digital Health
and Digital Attachment: Part 1
|
|
11:00-11:05 AM |
Break
|
|
11:05-12:20 PM SSB 118: Student Research Presentations |
Analysis of the Free-Operant Preference Assessment Procedure for Domestic Cats
Hannah Huber, Sophia Thompson, Sam Foster, Bethany Shneck, Mackenzie Heatherly, and Dr. Machado An Examination of Differences in Conditioned Stimulus Modality on the Blocking Effect Samantha Wyanski Functional Assessment of Challenging Behaviors: Behavioral Severity as a Potential Predictor of Assessment Tool Selection Bethany Lee, Dr. Mychal Machado Exploring the Nature of Police Bias in Eyewitness Investigations Maddy Galloway and Yasuhiro Ozuru College student understanding of diagnostic arguments Matthew Lowery |
|
12:20 PM- 1:05 PM SSB Lobby: Lunch and Poster Session Lunch is sponsored by UAA School Psychology |
Multi-Step Thematic Analysis with Families in Alaska to Inform Development of School Psychology Program Riley Russell, Michelle Spalding Where the road ends: A Proposal to Explore Banishment as a Practice in Alaskan Communities that Exist off the Road System (proposal) Josephine Dyer Alaska Native Cultural Identity Development as Experienced by Elder Facilitators and University Students Tiera Uqiilaq Schroeder Working Across Contexts: Critical Events in Rural Teletherapy Peter L. Noon, Camille M. Booth, Edmond I. Arroyo, & Kevin R. Tarlow The Mental Health Implications of the Acting White Accusation Among Multiracial People (Proposal) Bernice Nisbett, and Dr. E. J. R. David, Ph.D. The Effect of Atp7b Gene Mutation on Learning and Memory Between Males and Females in the Mouse Model Rexhebije Kadriu, Schaefer Mueller, Jason Burkhead Exploring factors predicting engagement with the Step Away app for reducing problematic drinking Megan Waddell |
|
1:05- 1:50 PM SSB 118: Student Research Presentations |
Romantic Priming and Perception of Risk in Heterosexual Male Humans Murat Demir Addressing Teacher Turnover in Alaska: Investigating the Impacts on K-12 Teachers’ Self-Efficacy in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) Olivia (Vi) Davis Peer-Led Support Groups for Counseling Graduate Students: A Pilot Study Ella Bryner |
|
1:50-2:35 PM SSB 118: Student Practicum Experiences |
Engaging in Psychology Advocacy Work to Improve Mental Healthcare Kern-Lyons, Calista E. Reflections from Graduate Students’ Community Psychology Practicum Experiences Sofia Sytniak, M.S. and Emily Cohen, M.S., M.S.W |
|
2:35 -2:40 PM |
Break |
|
2:30- 3:40 PM SSB 118: Closing Keynote Address by Dr. Markie Twist |
Closing Keynote Address by Dr. Markie Twist: Artificial Intelligence, Chatbots, and Synthetics, Oh My!: Exploring Digital Health and Digital Attachment: Part 2 |
|
3:40 PM SSB 118 |
Awards |
About The Behavioral Science Conference of the North (BSCN)
The Behavioral Science Conference of the North (BSCN) is an annual research conference hosted collaboratively by the UAA Psychology department and student clubs for over thirty years. This student-led, student-focused conference promotes scholarly research and professional development in the fields of Psychology, Behavioral Science, and Human Services across the UA system.
BSCN provides students with an opportunity to present research posters and oral research presentations, which allows the students to share their research findings with peers, community members, and professionals, receive feedback, improve their research and public speaking skills, and prepare to become professionals in their fields. BSCN also showcases local and nationally recognized professionals, who are recruited to present on topics in Psychology and behavioral sciences of interest to professionals and students as well as community members. These talks help foster an academic community in Anchorage, and all of Alaska and are inspirational for students, faculty, and community members alike. The BSCN provides opportunities for community members, including professionals and potential employers of UAA graduates, and students and faculty members across several UAA programs to learn about and discuss research findings that have practical implications.