The Cognition and Emotion Lab (CEL) at the School of Communication has had an extraordinary year, driven by the exceptional work of the Distinguished and Endowed Provost McKenzie Professor Dr. Russell Clayton and his brilliant team of students.

This year, the lab collected psychophysiological data such as heart rate, skin conductance, and facial electromyography responses from over 200 participants. This data is collected and used to identify and investigate how individuals react both cognitively and emotionally to various types of media messages. 

“The data from these studies have led to two manuscripts being accepted for presentation at the International Communication Association (ICA), which will be held in Denver later this summer. All lab members are co-authors on those papers, and all lab members co-authored one manuscript that was submitted to a peer-reviewed journal,” said Clayton. Additionally, the data from these studies have been used as part of two National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant applications that will be reviewed later this year.  

Clayton noted that this was an exceptional year for the lab—one that was made possible by an outstanding team of students. Clayton said, “I get asked by colleagues and students at other universities, ‘what it is like to work at FSU?’ My response is always the same: there is exceptional talent at every corner of FSU. From exceptional colleagues who are committed to excellence in research and teaching to first-or second-year undergraduate students. It is a hot bed of intellectual curiosity, prowess, and innovation.”  

From transformative research to collaboration and teamwork, these seven students were key to the success of the CEL and made impacts that extended beyond the University. 

Doctoral candidate and lab manager Junho Park received the School of Communication Outstanding Doctoral Student Research Award and a University Outstanding Teaching Assistant award. 

Md Sazzad Mahmud Shuvo presented his research at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) in Cincinnati, Ohio. His paper won the Top Paper Award from the CSCA Communication and Technology Interest Group.

Kristina Simon successfully defended her graduate thesis and will graduate in May with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications and a certificate in Multicultural Marketing. She recently presented research at the Association of Marketing Theory & Practice (AMTP) in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She also was recently published in the HispanicAd. Kristina recently received the School of Communication Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant award.

Sherry Rasul will graduate from the School of Communication this summer with a graduate degree in Strategic Communication. She was recently admitted to the College of Journalism and Communications doctoral program at the University of Florida, which she will be attending this Fall.

Jessica Weinberg, a dual-degree undergraduate student in the School of Communication and College of Music, successfully completed her Undergraduate Research Opportunity Project (UROP) at FSU, and recently received the School of Communication Outstanding Student in Media/Communication Studies award.

Catherine Pinkos will graduate from the School of Communication undergraduate program in Media Communication Studies in May. Catherine recently completed the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Project (UROP) at FSU and was nominated for multiple undergraduate university research awards. Catherine was recently admitted to the Strategic Communication graduate program in the School of Communication at FSU.

Isabelle Shim will graduate from the School of Communication undergraduate program in Media Communication Studies in May. Isabelle also recently completed the Undergraduate Research Opportunity project (UROP) at FSU. Isabelle was recently admitted to the Strategic Communication Management graduate program in the Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications at the University of South Florida.

“I am constantly humbled by the students I get to work with in the School of Communication. The lab members of the Cognition and Emotion Lab have accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. I am certain they will continue to inspire others and accomplish their goal whether here at FSU or beyond,” said Shim.

The success of this year’s team highlights how FSU students are making a lasting impact—both on campus and throughout the field of communication.