When Georgia State University embarked on its Second Century Initiative (2CI), it aimed to attract 100 new faculty members who would help to boost the university’s research profile and productivity. The Primate Social Cognition, Evolution & Behavior topic was competitively reviewed and selected as one of the areas for strategic growth. After three years of searching, recruitment for the 2CI in PSCEB has come to a successful conclusion. Four highly accomplished scholars have been hired in the PSCEB/Primate Cognition area. Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology William D. Hopkins joined the faculty three years ago as a 2CI hire. This fall, J. David Smith becomes our latest 2CI hire, as a Professor of Psychology. The psychology department is also pleased to announce that Michael J. Beran has been recruited to join the faculty at the rank of Associate Professor. Finally, Barbara Church has agreed to join the university as a Senior Research Scientist at the Language Research Center. These scholars bring international reputations as leaders in the field of comparative cognition, based in part on hundreds of scholarly publications and many millions of dollars in federal grant support. We are excited for the research that they will direct at Georgia State University, and for the impact all four scientists will have on our graduate and undergraduate students.
[These successful recruitments reflect the effort of many, including search committee members Roberta Attanasio of Biology, Aras Petrulis of Neuroscience, Bethany Turner and Frank Williams of Anthropology, and Psychology faculty and students representatives Sarah Brosnan, Samantha Emerson, Lisa Heimbauer, Gabe Kuperminc, Heather Offutt, Seyda Ozcaliskan, Audrey Parrish, and David Washburn.]